Category: Statistics

BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2023 Aug 23;24(1):667. doi: 10.1186/s12891-023-06798-9.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate complications, clinical outcomes, and radiographic results following Coflex implantation.

METHODS: We retrospectively studied 66 patients who had decompressive surgery combined with Coflex implantation to treat lumbar spinal stenosis. All imaging data were collected and examined for imaging changes. Clinical outcomes, included Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), back and leg visual analog scale (VAS) scores, were evaluated before surgery, six months after surgery and at the last follow-up. The number of complications occurring after five years of follow-up was counted. All reoperation cases were meticulously recorded.

RESULTS: 66 patients were followed up for 5-14 years. The VAS and ODI scores were significantly improved compared with baseline. Heterotopic Ossification (HO) was detectable in 59 (89.4%). 26 (39.4%) patients had osteolysis at the contact site of Coflex with the spinous process. Coflex loosening was detected in 39 (60%) patients. Spinous process anastomosis was found in 34 (51.5%) patients. There was a statistically significant difference in the VAS score of back pain between patients with and without spinous process anastomosis. Nine cases of lumbar spinal restenosis were observed, and prosthesis fracture was observed in one case.

CONCLUSION: Our study identified various imaging changes after Coflex implantation, and majority of them did not affect clinical outcomes. The majority of patients had HO, but osteolysis and Coflex loosening were relatively rare. The VAS score for back pain of these patients was higher if they have spinous process anastomosis. After five-year follow-up, we found lumbar spinal restenosis and prosthesis fracture cases.

PMID:37612739 | DOI:10.1186/s12891-023-06798-9

BMC Public Health. 2023 Aug 24;23(1):1609. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-16470-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become the most common tobacco product used among adolescents in the United States (US). Prior research has shown that peer e-cigarette use was associated with increased risk of own e-cigarette use. Nonetheless, there is little empirical evidence on the directionality of these associations-if peer use predicts own use (peer influence) or if own use predicts peer use (peer selection).

METHODS: We estimated the association between peer and own e-cigarette use among US adolescents 12-17 years of age. We used the cross-lagged model to investigate the mutual relationship between peer and own e-cigarette use over time using data from a population-based longitudinal study, Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health. Stratified analyses were conducted by sex and age subgroups.

RESULTS: Results from a cross-lagged model showed a statistically significant predicting path leading from peer use at the prior time point to own use at the following time point, but not vice versa.

CONCLUSIONS: We found strong relationships between peer e-cigarette use and own e-cigarette use at within-individual levels. Peer influence paths were more robust than peer selection paths for e-cigarette use. Incorporating peers into prevention and intervention programs may help enhance these strategies.

PMID:37612711 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-023-16470-5

BMC Anesthesiol. 2023 Aug 23;23(1):286. doi: 10.1186/s12871-023-02224-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUD: Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is one of the serious complications of thyroid tumour surgery, surgical treatment of thyroid cancer requires careful consideration of the RLN and its impact on glottis function. There has been no unified standard for precise neuromuscular block monitoring to guide the monitoring of RLN in thyroid surgery. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between Train-of-four stabilization ratio (TOFr) and neural signal values of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (INOM) during thyroid operation, and further to determine the optimal timing for INOM during thyroid operation.

METHODS: Patients scheduled for thyroid tumour resection with INOM and RLN monitoring from April 2018 to July 2018 in our center were recruited. Electromyography (EMG) signals and corresponding TOFr were collected. All nerve stimulation data were included in group VR. Vagus nerve stimulation data were included in Subgroup V. RLN stimulation data were included in Subgroup R. The timing of recording was as follows: Vagus nerve EMG amplitude after opening the lateral space between the thyroid and carotid sheath and before the initiation of thyroid dissection, RLN EMG amplitude at first recognition, RLN EMG amplitude after complete thyroid dissection (Repeat three times), and Vagus nerve EMG amplitude after resection of the thyroid (Repeat three times). Correlation analysis of continuous variables was described by a scatter diagram. Pearson correlation analysis or Spearman correlation analysis was used for the two groups of variables.

RESULTS: Finally, 134 vagus nerve signals and 143 RLN signals were analysed after matching with TOFr. The EMG amplitude in the VR group and subgroups after nerve stimulation was positively correlated with TOFr (p < 0.05). In the VR, V and R group, the incidence of EMG ≥ 500 µV in the 0.75 < TOFr ≤ 0.85 interval was significantly higher than the 0 < TOFr ≤ 0.75 interval (P = 0.002, P = 0.013 and P = 0.029), and has no statistical difference compared to 0.85 < TOFr ≤ 0.95 interval (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The EMG signals of the RLN and vagus nerve stimulation during thyroid surgery were positively correlated with TOFr. TOFr > 0.75 could reflect more than 50% of the effective nerve electrophysiological signals, 0.75 < TOFr ≤ 0.85 interval was the optimal timing for IONM during thyroid surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1800015797) Registered on 20/04/2018. https://www.chictr.org.cn .

PMID:37612707 | DOI:10.1186/s12871-023-02224-8

BMC Surg. 2023 Aug 23;23(1):250. doi: 10.1186/s12893-023-02155-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Tibial shaft fractures are the most common long bone fractures requiring treatment. High-energy trauma often causes tibia bone injuries, causing severe complications and long-term disability due to inadequate soft tissue coverage. Tibial shaft fractures can be treated using casts, external fixators, plating, or intramedullary nails. Intramural nailing leads to faster union and reduced complications like malunion and shortening. However, patients often report subjective and objective difficulties after Surgical Instrument generation network (SIGN) nail fixation, affecting knee range of motion, quality of life, and sport activities. Tibial nails and plates are associated with increased knee pain, which negatively affects functional outcomes. No study has been conducted in a poor resource setting like Ethiopia. This study aims to assess functional outcomes of the knee and associated factors after intramedullary nailing of Tibial Diaphysial Fractures at AaBET hospital in Ethiopia.

METHODS: A retrospective health facility based cross-sectional study was conducted on functional outcomes of the knee and associated factors after intramedullary nailing of tibial diaphysial fractures done at AaBET hospital. A medical record review form and a structured questionnaire from patient chart and SIGN nail database collected data. The study was conducted on 151 patients registered on the SIGN nail database using a simple random sampling. Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) was used to assess the knee functional outcome. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used to summarize the results and binary logistic regression was used to describe the association between variables. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant association.

RESULTS: The study constituted 151 patients with tibial shaft fractures; 113(74.8%) males and 38(25.2%) females with a mean age of 31.4 years, with a standard deviation of [10.5]. The prevalence of patients with good knee functional outcomes was 87(57.6%), while 64(42.4%) patients had poor knee functional outcomes. Associated factors identified include sex, age, soft tissue status, postoperative infection postoperative physiotherapy and comminuted fracture pattern.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: This study determined the magnitude of knee functional outcomes revealed that more than half (57.6% ) of patients had good knee functional outcomes with identified factors increseaes odds of poor knee functional outcomes were sex, age, soft tissue injuries, post operative infection, postoperative physiotherapy and comminuted fracture patterns respectively. Therefore, Policymakers and health planners should closely monitor postoperative physiotherapy treatment courses among tibial shaft fractures treated with intramedullary nailing to increases good knee functional outcomes.

PMID:37612685 | DOI:10.1186/s12893-023-02155-8

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2023 Aug 23;23(1):603. doi: 10.1186/s12884-023-05914-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Perinatal maternal depression and anxiety are associated with adverse maternal outcomes, and nutrition may play an important role in their emergence. Previous research shows that certain micro and macronutrients found in different dietary patterns may associate with perinatal mood disorders. This study aims to explore relationships between nutrition during pregnancy and perinatal maternal depression and anxiety symptoms using network analyses.

METHODS: Using data from the French EDEN mother-child cohort, the sample consisted of 1438 women with available mental health outcomes (CES-D, STAI and EPDS) and nutritional markers collected from food frequency questionnaires. Four networks were constructed to explore the relationships between prenatal nutrient status, dietary patterns, and perinatal mental health, while accounting for important confounders.

RESULTS: The Healthy dietary pattern was associated with the presence of vital micronutrients, while the Western dietary pattern was consistently associated with poorer intake of specific micronutrients and contained an excess of certain macronutrients. Western dietary pattern and symptoms of postnatal depression were connected by a positive edge in both the macronutrient and micronutrient networks. Lower education levels were associated with higher Western dietary pattern scores, from which a positive edge linked to postnatal depression symptoms in both models.

CONCLUSIONS: A Western dietary pattern was associated with increased symptoms of postnatal depression in our adjusted network models; The Healthy dietary pattern was associated with essential micronutrients but not with symptoms of depression or anxiety. Perinatal mental health might be impacted by specific dietary patterns in the context of psychosocial and physical stress associated with pregnancy.

PMID:37612677 | DOI:10.1186/s12884-023-05914-w

BMC Oral Health. 2023 Aug 23;23(1):584. doi: 10.1186/s12903-023-03300-8.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of static management on individuals’ oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) according to the dynamic zero-COVID policy in China.

METHODS: The digital questionnaire conducted with three sub-questionnaires was sent to 700 patients who accepted treatment at the Department of Stomatology, 363 Hospital. Data on demographic characteristics, the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 and willingness to invest in oral health were collected from the 658 completed questionnaires. According to the state of individuals’ lives, participants were divided into two groups: a static management group (Group 1) and a nonstatic management group (Group 2). The scores of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 and willingness to invest in oral health were compared between these two groups using IBM SPSS Statistics.

RESULTS: The results showed that individuals undergoing static management reported better OHRQoL. Meanwhile, they also presented lower willingness to invest money and dental visits in oral health. Furthermore, according to the results of the logistic regression analysis, aging acts as a negative correlation factor for the OHRQoL of people undergoing static management, while the willingness to invest money and dental visits in oral health is defined as a positive predictor for OHRQoL.

CONCLUSION: Static management effects the OHRQoL of individuals. Aging and WTIOH in money and dental visits are related the individuals’ OHRQoL during static management.

PMID:37612676 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-023-03300-8

BMC Surg. 2023 Aug 23;23(1):249. doi: 10.1186/s12893-023-02147-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus regarding hernia sac management during laparoscopic hernia repair, and this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the postoperative outcomes of sac reduction (RS) and sac transection (TS) during laparoscopic mesh hernia repair.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) 2020 and AMSTAR 2 (Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews) guidelines. We used the RevMan 5.4 statistical package from the Cochrane collaboration for meta-analysis. A random effects model was used.

RESULTS: The literature search yielded six eligible studies including 2941 patients: 821 patients in the TS group and 2120 patients in the RS group. In the pooled analysis, the TS group was associated with a lower incidence of seroma (OR = 1.71; 95% CI [1.22, 2.39], p = 0.002) and shorter hospital stay (MD = -0.07; 95% CI [-0.12, -0.02], p = 0.008). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of morbidity (OR = 0.87; 95% CI [0.34, 2.19], p = 0.76), operative time (MD = -4.39; 95% CI [-13.62, 4.84], p = 0.35), recurrence (OR = 2.70; 95% CI [0.50, 14.50], p = 0.25), and Postoperative pain.

CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis showed that hernia sac transection is associated with a lower seroma rate and shorter hospital stay with similar morbidity, operative time, recurrence, and postoperative pain compared to the reduction of the hernia sac.

PROTOCOL: The protocol was registered in PROSPERO with ID CRD42023391730.

PMID:37612674 | DOI:10.1186/s12893-023-02147-8

BMC Womens Health. 2023 Aug 23;23(1):443. doi: 10.1186/s12905-023-02556-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: An evaluation of preoperative and postoperative 12th month Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) changes in patients operated for the diagnosis of isolated anterior compartment defect (ACD) or Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI).

METHOD: Patients who were diagnosed with isolated ACD or SUI were retrospectively analyzed at urogynecology unit of our tertiary referral center. All pelvic examinations were performed by the same experienced urogynecologist. Pre-operative and post-operative 12th month POP-Q scores and the responses to a detailed LUTS questionnaire in the unit were assessed.

RESULTS: Of the 90 patients with isolated ACD or SUI, midurethral sling with mini-sling and retropubic transobturator tape methods was applied in 24, iliococcygeal fixation in 28, trapezoid repair in 9 patients, anterior bridge operation in 14, and plication of pubocervicovaginal fascia to the cervical ring in 15. We compared the POP-Q score and pre and post-operative 12th month LUTS. Between pre and post-operative 12th month, there was a statistically significant difference at Aa and Ba points (p < 0.00, 0.001). Comparative LUTS questionnaire showed statistically significant differences in stress urinary incontinence, frequency, urgency, abnormal emptying, nocturia, pelvic pain (p: <0.001, p < 0.001, p: <0.001, p:0.001, p:<0.001, p:0.003, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Anatomical and symptomatic recovery is achieved with appropriate surgical intervention in women with isolated ACD or SUI. When LUTS were evaluated in terms of symptomatic recovery, they were found to be related not only to symptoms involving the anterior compartment, but also to symptoms involving other compartments.

PMID:37612672 | DOI:10.1186/s12905-023-02556-0

BMC Public Health. 2023 Aug 23;23(1):1606. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-16409-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite the unequivocal benefits of vaccination, vaccine coverage has been falling in several countries in the past few years. Studies suggest that vaccine hesitancy is an increasingly significant phenomenon affecting adherence to vaccines. More recently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, political views have emerged as an additional influencing factor for vaccine hesitancy.

METHODS: In this ecologic study, we used information from publicly available databases to investigate the association between political ideology, depicted by the percentage of votes for the right-wing candidate Jair Bolsonaro in the presidential elections of 2018 and 2022, and COVID-19 vaccination in Brazilian municipalities. The primary endpoint was the COVID-19 vaccination index, calculated as the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered up to September 2022 divided by the number of inhabitants in each municipality. The analysis was conducted using Pearson correlation coefficients and linear regression models adjusted for HDI, the percentage of male voters, the percentage of voters who were older than 50 years old, and the percentage of voters with a middle school education or less. In addition, we explored whether the effect of the percentage of Bolsonaro voters on the COVID-19 vaccination index was modified in different quartiles of HDI using an interaction term.

RESULTS: Five thousand five hundred sixty-three Brazilian municipalities were included in the analysis. For both the 2018 and 2022 elections, the percentage of votes for Jair Bolsonaro was significantly and inversely associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake after adjustment for the sociodemographic characteristics of the voters (change in mean vaccination index in 2018 for each 1% increase in Bolsonaro voters -0.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.13 to -0.08, p < 0.001; change in mean vaccination index in 2022 for each 1% increase in Bolsonaro voters -0.09, 95% CI -0.11 to -0.07, p < 0.001). We also found a statistically significant interaction between the primary predictor of interest and HDI scores, with a more significantly detrimental effect of the right-wing political stance in municipalities in the lower HDI quartiles (interaction p < 0.001 for the first HDI quartile; p = 0.001 for the second HDI quartile).

CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that political ideologies have influenced COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Brazilian municipalities, affecting communities inequitably. The politicization of vaccines is a new challenge for vaccine programs. Strategies to face these challenges should include joint efforts from governments and civil society for a common public health goal.

PMID:37612648 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-023-16409-w

BMC Psychiatry. 2023 Aug 23;23(1):620. doi: 10.1186/s12888-023-05109-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Depression is a common mental health problem among veterans, with high mortality. Despite the numerous conducted investigations, the prediction and identification of risk factors for depression are still severely limited. This study used a deep learning algorithm to identify depression in veterans and its factors associated with clinical manifestations.

METHODS: Our data originated from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2018). A dataset of 2,546 veterans was identified using deep learning and five traditional machine learning algorithms with 10-fold cross-validation. Model performance was assessed by examining the area under the subject operating characteristic curve (AUC), accuracy, recall, specificity, precision, and F1 score.

RESULTS: Deep learning had the highest AUC (0.891, 95%CI 0.869-0.914) and specificity (0.906) in identifying depression in veterans. Further study on depression among veterans of different ages showed that the AUC values for deep learning were 0.929 (95%CI 0.904-0.955) in the middle-aged group and 0.924(95%CI 0.900-0.948) in the older age group. In addition to general health conditions, sleep difficulties, memory impairment, work incapacity, income, BMI, and chronic diseases, factors such as vitamins E and C, and palmitic acid were also identified as important influencing factors.

CONCLUSIONS: Compared with traditional machine learning methods, deep learning algorithms achieved optimal performance, making it conducive for identifying depression and its risk factors among veterans.

PMID:37612646 | DOI:10.1186/s12888-023-05109-9