Category: Statistics

Alzheimers Dement. 2026 Mar;22(3):e71278. doi: 10.1002/alz.71278.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) occur in up to 85% of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cases. Current treatments – repurposed from psychiatric disorders despite limited understanding of etiologic overlap – are often ineffective.

METHODS: To characterize the genetic overlap between AD and major psychiatric disorders and identify shared molecular pathways, we conducted genetic correlation analyses between AD and depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety using MiXeR and Local Analysis of [co]Variant Annotation with genome wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics (AD: n = 487,511; bipolar disorder: n = 413,466; depression: n = 1,154,267; schizophrenia: n = 130,644; anxiety: n = 1,096,458).

RESULTS: Local genetic correlation analyses followed by fine mapping and functional analyses identified a missense variant in TMEM106B (rs3173615) shared between AD and depression and anxiety, a regulatory region variant in ACE (rs4292) shared between AD/schizophrenia, and two nonsense-mediated mRNA decay transcript variants in ERC2 (rs17288728; rs815460) shared between AD/anxiety.

DISCUSSION: The specific molecular pathways associated with these variants provide critical information on shared etiologic components underlying these traits and inform development of improved therapeutic targets.

PMID:41823034 | DOI:10.1002/alz.71278

New Phytol. 2026 Mar 13. doi: 10.1111/nph.71065. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Deep-rooted crops accessing water and nutrients from deep soil layers enhance the resource base for crop production. However, studying these roots in field conditions is labour-intensive, limiting research scope. We established a field root research facility with 48 plots for replicated experiments. The facility includes 144 6-metre-long minirhizotron tubes and an AI-based pipeline for rapid root trait analysis. We also attempted to install access tubes and customized ingrowth core production for less-invasive root activity determination. Our study revealed significant differences in deep root density among species, particularly at depths of 2.5 to 4.5 m, over 5 years. The less-invasive studies using ingrowth cores reached depths of 4.2 m. Nutrient tracer ¹⁵N analysis showed marked differences in deep root activity among crop species. Time domain reflectometry sensors indicated varying water depletion in deeper soil layers, influenced by crop species and root growth patterns. We established a field facility for studying deep root growth and function, demonstrating its effectiveness in analysing diverse deep-rooted plant species. This facility provides an ideal platform for conducting meaningful research in deep soil layers, yielding statistically and biologically significant results for agricultural applications.

PMID:41822991 | DOI:10.1111/nph.71065

J Dermatolog Treat. 2026 Dec;37(1):2640305. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2026.2640305. Epub 2026 Mar 13.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) costs in those on conventional systemics for mild-moderate psoriasis are poorly described.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe HRCU, disease severity and health-related quality of life in patients with mild-moderate psoriasis requiring systemic therapy.

METHODS: UK single-center retrospective longitudinal cohort study including adults with mild-moderate psoriasis (PASI < 10, no historical PASI ≥ 10, no prior biologics) on conventional systemic therapy with 3-year data capture from first PASI recording (2014-2019, pre-COVID). Patients discontinued due to reaching PASI ≥ 10, starting biologics or being lost to follow-up.

RESULTS: The median annual HCRU cost was £1923 (mean £3361), largely driven by visit costs. A total of 50.8% patients achieved a PASI ≤ 2 and 30.6% achieved PASI ≤ 2 and DLQI ≤ 5 during follow-up. The difference between the maximum and minimum PASI for a patient and follow-up time were statistically significant predictors of total costs (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Despite high healthcare costs, nearly half of the patients did not achieve clear/nearly clear skin. These data, in the context of reducing costs for biosimilars, may provide a basis to challenge care pathways and access criteria for ‘high-cost’ treatments.

PMID:41822986 | DOI:10.1080/09546634.2026.2640305

Euro Surveill. 2026 Mar;31(10). doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2026.31.10.2500477.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTIONEnteroviruses cause symptoms ranging from mild skin manifestations to severe neurological diseases, such as polio. Despite global eradication efforts, poliovirus was detected via environmental surveillance in multiple European countries in 2024 and 2025.AIMWe aimed to assess the epidemiology of enteroviruses in Denmark, using national laboratory surveillance and hospital discharge registries, and to determine the accuracy of enterovirus registration.METHODSHospital admission data from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2023 were linked to laboratory surveillance enterovirus data to identify and categorise admissions with an enterovirus-specific ICD-10 code and/or enterovirus-positive test. The accuracy of diagnosis coding and positive enterovirus tests was assessed against an estimated ‘true population’ using a capture‒recapture analysis.RESULTSAmong patients with an ICD-10 enterovirus code and a positive enterovirus test (n = 1,186), 69% had a central nervous system diagnosis. Patients with ICD-10 enterovirus codes only (n = 3,434) were younger and primarily had hand, foot and mouth disease. Patients positive for enterovirus without an enterovirus diagnosis (n = 3,263) frequently exhibited respiratory symptoms. The combined accuracy of ICD-10 codes and enterovirus tests was 46.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 44.3-48.4) against an estimated ‘true population’ of 28,193 (95% CI: 26,929-29,457) enterovirus infections.CONCLUSION: It is important to combine laboratory data and ICD-10 codes to gain comprehensive understanding of the enterovirus epidemiology and identify areas for improvement in enterovirus surveillance. Despite exceptional registries, the Danish system may still overlook early cases of emerging or severe enterovirus infections because of limited clinical awareness of these infections and the challenges associated with voluntary test registrations.

PMID:41822982 | DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2026.31.10.2500477

Int Endod J. 2026 Mar 13. doi: 10.1111/iej.70140. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the endodontic microbiome assessed from root canals of teeth associated with either symptomatic or asymptomatic apical periodontitis and analysed by 16S rDNA gene sequencing.

METHODOLOGY: 60 teeth presenting clinical and radiographic signs of symptomatic or asymptomatic apical periodontitis (n = 30) were included in this cross-sectional study after participants had given their written informed consent. After isolation with rubber dam, disinfection and access cavity preparation, glide paths were prepared using C-Pilot Files and K-Files under electronic root canal length control. Microbial samples were collected from a total of 120 root canals (symptomatic apical periodontitis, SAP: n = 62, asymptomatic apical periodontitis, AAP: n = 58) each with a sterile file (size 20/0.06) in a single length technique. Only one specimen per tooth was included in the analysis; in multi-rooted teeth, the specimen with highest sequencing depth. After DNA extraction, the hypervariable region V4 of the bacterial 16 S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced (Illumina MiSeq). Taxonomy was assigned based on the expanded Human Oral Microbiome Database (eHOMD). Statistical analysis of diversity parameters comprised Mann-Whitney U tests and PERMANOVA. Compositional differences were evaluated by differential abundance analyses using DESeq2, LinDA, and ANCOM-BC2 methods.

RESULTS: No differences were observed in richness and diversity (Shannon diversity index) on the genus or ASV level (p > 0.05). According to PERMANOVA, SAP and AAP microbiomes did not differ significantly both on genus and ASV levels (p > 0.05). Among highly abundant genera, Fusobacterium was indicated to be more abundant in SAP samples whereas Actinomyces was more abundant in AAP samples.

CONCLUSIONS: The expression of clinical symptoms in apical periodontitis does not appear to be determined by specific microorganisms but may instead reflect shifts of the relative abundance of the microbial community.

PMID:41822979 | DOI:10.1111/iej.70140

BJOG. 2026 Mar 13. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.70217. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41822966 | DOI:10.1111/1471-0528.70217

Stroke. 2026 Mar 13. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.125.053711. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Timely identification and treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the emergency department is imperative. We sought to report the change over time in emergency department-based AIS treatment in a community without an academic medical center through a mixed-methods approach.

METHODS: As part of the longitudinal population-based BASIC (Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi) project, Nueces County residents 45+ years old with AIS treated in an emergency department were identified, excluding patients with in-hospital events. Logistic regression was used to model changes over time from 2012 to 2022, treating time continuously, for the binary outcomes National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score documentation, transfer to an out-of-area facility, thrombolytic (tPA/TNK [tissue-type plasminogen activator/tenecteplase]) utilization, and arrival method. Trends for neurology consults and telestroke consults were evaluated from 2015 to 2022 based on data availability. Logistic regression models accounted for subject repeated measures and within-hospital clustering. Rapid qualitative analysis procedures were used to analyze semistructured interviews of emergency medicine (EM) physicians.

RESULTS: A total of 5388 strokes were included. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale documentation by provider increased by 12.9% (95% CI, 0.057-0.202). The overall proportion of neurology consultation increased by 26% (95% CI, 0.159-0.360). Among these, the proportion of telestroke consults increased by 34.2% (95% CI, 0.218-0.465). Patient transfer to an out-of-area facility saw a peak around 2020 (3.2%) that declined by 2022 (0.0%). tPA/TNK treatment increased by 5.5%, but was not statistically significant (95% CI, -0.006 to 0.116). Arrival to the emergency department by emergency medical services decreased by 9.4% (95% CI, -0.181 to -0.007). Fifty-two practicing emergency medicine physicians in Nueces County were recruited via email between April and October 2024, yielding 18 interviews. Participants described improved organization of stroke care and confidence in treating AIS.

CONCLUSIONS: There have been positive changes in AIS treatment from the emergency medicine perspective, suggesting the success of assertive treatment protocols in this real-world community.

PMID:41822963 | DOI:10.1161/STROKEAHA.125.053711

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2026 Mar 13. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.70905. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of potentially life-threatening maternal conditions (PLTCs) on functional disability at 6 months postpartum.

METHODS: This prospective cohort study was done at 10 hospitals in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. A total of 1027 postpartum women (341 with PLTCs and 686 without) were enrolled into the exposed and the unexposed groups, respectively. Disability status was assessed using the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). Data were collected through interviews and card reviews. Statistical analyses were performed using Pearson’s chi-square and Mann-Whitney for bivariate analyses. Due to the non-parametric distribution of the outcome and the covariate (baseline WHODAS 2.0) data, we used non-parametric analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to assess WHODAS 2.0 score differences between the groups at 6 months postpartum, adjusting for baseline WHODAS 2.0 scores and other covariates.

RESULTS: Among 1027 participants, 997 (97%) completed the 6-month follow-up. Women with PLTCs had significantly higher median WHODAS 2.0 scores (25.0 vs. 9.4, P < 0.001; effect size = 0.34) and increased disability levels across all domains (P < 0.001). The non-parametric ANCOVA showed that PLTC had a significant independent effect (partial eta-squared (η²p) = 0.043, P < 0.001) after adjusting for confounders (demographic and clinical variables).

CONCLUSION: Women who experienced PLTCs had significantly higher functional disability than those who did not at 6 months postpartum. The effects of PLTCs extend beyond the conventional 6-week postpartum period. Establishing new mechanisms for long-term maternal health follow-up is essential to address ongoing functional disability.

PMID:41822956 | DOI:10.1002/ijgo.70905

HIV Med. 2026 Mar 13. doi: 10.1111/hiv.70221. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: HIV remains a major global burden, with 2.4 million children and adolescents affected, 84% living in sub-Saharan Africa. As adolescents age, transitioning from paediatric to adult HIV care represents a critical period that may significantly affect antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, retention in care and virological suppression. A systematic evaluation of evidence from sub-Saharan Africa is essential to quantify the effects of healthcare transition on virological outcomes, especially viral suppression.

METHODS: We systematically searched three electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus and Embase for studies published between January 1, 2015, and March 5, 2025, using keywords HIV, adolescents, transition to adult care and virological outcome. A narrative synthesis was used to summarize the findings, and meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models to estimate pooled proportions with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity between studies was quantified using the I² statistic, and potential sources of variability were explored through subgroup analyses based on study characteristics. The risk of bias for the included studies was assessed according to the study design using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD420251005361).

RESULTS: The systematic search identified 1324 articles, of which 8 met the predefined inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. These studies consisted of 13 819 adolescents and young adults aged between 10 and 26 years. The pooled proportions of viral suppression were 75% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 68%-81%, I²: 89.2%, p < 0.0001) before transition and 67% (95% CI: 44%-84%, I²: 95.7%, p < 0.0001) after transition.

CONCLUSION: There is a decline in viral suppression following the transition from paediatric to adult HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa, indicating the need for targeted strategies to sustain suppression post-transition. Future large-scale longitudinal studies should use standardized transition age definitions, consistent follow-up durations and uniform virological suppression thresholds to ensure robust and comparable evidence.

PMID:41822955 | DOI:10.1111/hiv.70221

J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2026 Mar;39(2):e70213. doi: 10.1111/jar.70213.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The study is based on the Dual Pathway to Creativity Model and explores the relationship between inhibitory control and creativity in children with mild intellectual disabilities.

METHOD: The sample consisted of 58 children with mild intellectual disabilities. Inhibitory control, fluency, and originality were assessed using the Day-Night Stroop Test and the Alternative Uses Test.

RESULTS: Overall, participants demonstrated moderate fluency (M = 6.55, SD = 3.10), while their originality scores were lower (M = 1.44, SD = 1.32). Correlation analysis indicated that faster responses on the second part of the Stroop test were negatively associated with fluency (r = -0.30, p < 0.05), whereas the association with originality did not reach statistical significance (r = -0.24, p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Efficient inhibitory control linked to higher fluency supports the Dual Pathway to Creativity Model, emphasizing the balance between inhibition and cognitive flexibility in children with mild intellectual disabilities.

PMID:41822942 | DOI:10.1111/jar.70213