Category: Statistics

Przegl Epidemiol. 2025 Dec 12;79(3):444-450. doi: 10.32394/pe/212512. Epub 2025 Oct 13.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The epidemiological situation of chickenpox in Poland has been stable in recent years, with no significant increase in the number of cases observed. Between 2016 and 2023, the incidence rate ranged from 389.4 to 506.2 cases per 100,000 population, except for 2020 and 2021, when the incidence rate decreased to 186.6 per 100,000 in 2020 and 151.1 per 100,000 in 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, an increase in the incidence rate was recorded, reaching 453.9 per 100,000.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological situation of chickenpox in Poland in 2023 compared to previous years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: To assess the epidemiological situation of chickenpox in Poland, data submitted to the National Institute of Public Health NIH – National Research Institute by District Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations and published in the annual bulletin “Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2023” and data published in the annual bulletin “Vaccinations in Poland in 2023” were used.

RESULTS: A total of 190,825 cases of chickenpox were registered in 2023, which was 11.13% more than in 2022, and 27.59% more than the median number of cases for the years 2017-2021. The overall incidence was 506.2/100,000 population. In terms of age, the highest incidence was among children in the age groups 0-4 years (4,741.4/100,000) and 5-9 years (4,155.1/100,000), while in adults, the incidence did not exceed 100 cases per 100,000. In 2023, a total of 123,743 people were vaccinated against chickenpox, of whom 95.49% were children under 11 years of age (118,163 people).

CONCLUSIONS: The slowdown in the increase in incidence in 2023 (compared to 2022) may indicate a stabilization of the chickenpox situation, but the increase in the overall incidence rate above 500 per 100,000 is concerning and requires monitoring in next years.

PMID:41385199 | DOI:10.32394/pe/212512

Przegl Epidemiol. 2025 Dec 12;79(3):415-427. doi: 10.32394/pe/213329. Epub 2025 Oct 22.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Advances in dental technology have improved treatment quality but increased costs. In Poland, where the scope of services reimbursed by the National Health Fund (NFZ) is limited, the cost of dental treatment can be a financial barrier – especially for lower-income patients, particularly for older adults.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze how income levels affect patients’ awareness of dental treatment costs and their decisions regarding available treatment options.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 282 participants (dental patients, medical students, healthcare and education professionals, and their families) was conducted from late 2023 to early 2024. Data from a self administered questionnaire were analyzed in Python using chi-square tests, Cramér’s V, and phi coefficients (p < 0.05). Income was dichotomized (<PLN 3,500 vs. >PLN 3,500) when necessary.

RESULTS: Lower-income patients (<PLN 3,500) were more likely to postpone check-ups due to cost (24.8% vs. 13.1%, p = 0.03) and preferred NHF-covered treatments, whereas higher-income individuals opted for private care. No significant associations were found regarding awareness of NHF benefits, installment usage, or treatment withdrawal rates.

CONCLUSIONS: Income significantly affects dental care utilization, influencing check-up postponement and treatment choices. However, weak correlations suggest other factors – such as health awareness, service quality and appointment availability – also play key roles.

PMID:41385197 | DOI:10.32394/pe/213329

Przegl Epidemiol. 2025 Dec 12;79(3):404-414. doi: 10.32394/pe/211665. Epub 2025 Oct 16.

ABSTRACT

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) remain a major, yet largely preventable, global public health challenge, causing significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. This review synthesises evidence on the global burden, pharmacovigilance systems, and prevention strategies for ADRs, integrating data from multiple regions, healthcare settings, and drug classes. Epidemiological findings reveal wide variability in incidence and mortality, with older adults, low-resource settings, and exposure to high-risk medicines-such as antibiotics, antiretrovirals, and cardiovascular agents-representing key vulnerabilities. Despite advances in surveillance, underreporting, data quality issues, and methodological biases persist, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Comparative analyses of pharmacovigilance platforms, including World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) VigiBase, EudraVigilance, and EU-ADR, highlight complementary strengths and the value of integrating spontaneous reporting with electronic health record analytics. Emerging statistical methods, including machine learning and federated analytics, offer improved signal detection timeliness and precision. Prevention strategies span prescriber-level, system-level, and patient engagement interventions. These include clinical decision support systems, pharmacogenomic-guided therapy, deprescribing protocols, mobile reporting applications, and wearable biosensors. Evidence shows that active surveillance and automated alerts outperform voluntary reporting, while digital tools can enhance detection and risk communication. However, implementation remains uneven due to infrastructure, workforce, and policy gaps. Looking forward, achieving the World Health Organization’s goal of halving severe medication-related harm by 2030 will require embedding ADR surveillance and prevention into universal health coverage frameworks. Policy priorities include mandating interoperable safety systems, harmonising international safety indicators, investing in capacity building for resource-limited settings, and aligning incentives with safer prescribing. Coordinated global action can bridge surveillance gaps, strengthen prevention, and build resilient, equitable pharmacovigilance systems, advancing both patient safety and sustainable health systems worldwide.

PMID:41385196 | DOI:10.32394/pe/211665

Przegl Epidemiol. 2025 Dec 12;79(3):393-403. doi: 10.32394/pe/211093. Epub 2025 Oct 9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Over the past 10 years the number of newly diagnosed HIV infections per year in Poland has been increasing. International data shows that in-school education about prevention of HIV leads to improved knowledge, increased condom use and safer sex attitudes. Data about HIV knowledge in polish schools is lacking.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of polish secondary school students regarding HIV/AIDS, and how it changes after one training in this topic.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: An online questionnaire with 30 questions about HIV/AIDS and sources of knowledge was given to students in two secondary schools in Warsaw, Poland. After completing the questionnaire an educational training was conducted. The same online questionnaire was distributed to the same classes after a year from the first survey and training. Numbers of correct answers were counted and the change of correct answers between first and second questionnaire was calculated.

RESULTS: In the first part of the study n=364 students filled in the questionnaire and in the second part n=257. The majority of students self-assessed their knowledge as not sufficient (84.3%). Questions answered incorrectly by most of the respondents concerned routes of transmission, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). In 16/20 yes/no questions an improvement in knowledge was noted in the second survey.

CONCLUSIONS: This study showed some knowledge gaps about HIV/AIDS of surveyed students. More education about prevention of HIV/AIDS should be included in the school programme. A one-time educational training can be beneficial.

PMID:41385195 | DOI:10.32394/pe/211093

Przegl Epidemiol. 2025 Dec 12;79(3):379-392. doi: 10.32394/pe/209454. Epub 2025 Sep 22.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Both in Poland and worldwide, an increase in the number of smartphone users has been observed. It is estimated that two-thirds of the global population uses them. Smartphones significantly enhance many aspects of daily life. However, it is important to be aware that improper use of these devices can lead to negative health effects, both mental and physical. Adhering to digital hygiene principles can greatly reduce the risk of various ailments, which will undoubtedly improve users’ quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess behaviors related to smartphone use in the context of digital hygiene among medical students.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted with a diagnostic survey method. The technique used was a questionnaire, and the tool was a validated Digital Hygiene Self-Assessment Questionnaire developed by Bigaj and Woynarowska. The study group consisted of 71 individuals. Data analysis was conducted using Google Sheets, MS Excel, and SPSS software. Statistical analysis included Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient and the Mann-Whitney test.

RESULTS: Most respondents described their daily smartphone usage time as long. Just over 73% of those surveyed reported experiencing negative effects from using the device (n=52). The most common behaviors related to digital hygiene included limiting the number of notifications (n=28, 39.4%), deleting unused apps (n=25, 35.2%), and avoiding keeping the phone with them all the time (n=17, 23.9%).

CONCLUSIONS: Extensive daily smartphone usage may have negative health implications. Respondents are aware of the fact that they use smartphones too frequently, and their digital hygiene habits pose health risks. Systematic educational initiatives are necessary to not only raise awareness of the issue but also provide users with practical methods for implementing digital hygiene principles related to mobile device use.

PMID:41385194 | DOI:10.32394/pe/209454

Acta Neurol Belg. 2025 Dec 12. doi: 10.1007/s13760-025-02974-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In stroke thrombi, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been hypothesized to promote thrombogenic processes that enhance stability and decrease amenability to thrombolysis and endovascular removal. Here, we examined the relationship between NET enrichment and clot structure and mechanical properties.

METHODS: Platelet-rich plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) were isolated from human blood and mixed with concentrated white blood cells to produce no-RBC and high-RBC clot analogs (0% and 40%, respectively). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was added at 3 different concentrations to enrich clots with varying amounts of NETs. Clots were analyzed mechanically using a uniaxial stretch tester. Clots were also imaged by microCT, and histology was used to investigate biologic structure and composition, as well as NET enrichment. Statistical analysis was completed to assess stiffness, radiomic, and histological features among clots of various NET enrichment. Clustering was performed on radiomic and histological image features to identify feature signatures unique to NET-enriched clots, and correlation was performed to identify radiomics and histomics related to NET enrichment.

RESULTS: LPS enriched clots with NETs in a dose-dependent manner, and NETs were associated with greater microstructural complexity. For fibrin-platelet rich clots (0% RBCs), NET enrichment produced a significant increase in mechanical stiffness as measured by Young’s Modulus, as well as in breaking strength. For each percent composition, radiomic and histomic profiling clustered clot analogs well by NET-enrichment, with NET-enriched clots demonstrating radiomic and histological texture feature correlations distinct from clots without NETs.

CONCLUSION: NET enrichment produces mechanically stiffer stroke clot analogs with distinct microstructure, radiomic, and histological profiles.

PMID:41385177 | DOI:10.1007/s13760-025-02974-x

J Interpers Violence. 2025 Dec 12:8862605251396045. doi: 10.1177/08862605251396045. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study examined the prevalence of domestic violence (DV) exposure in in-school adolescents, the forms and ways in which adolescents get exposed or are involved in domestic violence, and factors that are associated with exposure to domestic violence. The study aimed to determine the pattern and factors associated with child exposure to domestic violence (CEDV) in Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to recruit 406 students from four secondary schools in Ile-Ife, South-western Nigeria; the design was descriptive cross-sectional. Standardized, facilitated, self-administered, semi-structured questionnaires were administered to participants after obtaining their assent and parental consent. Information collected included sociodemographic data and details of exposure to DV using the CEDV questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). The prevalence of exposure to any form of domestic violence was 84.7%. Verbal abuse was the most prevalent form of abuse observed by 78.8% of the participants. A third (32.1%) of participants reported exposure to DV for at least 4 years. About 45.3% of those exposed were involved in the DV to varying degrees. Most of those exposed to DV experienced it as first-hand witnesses, and 58.1% were direct victims: physically, emotionally, or sexually. Low socioeconomic class was significantly associated with exposure to DV (χ² = 6.158 and p = .046). Participants had high exposure to DV, and a large proportion of them were involved, with those from lower socioeconomic classes being at higher risk. Efforts must be put in place in the home (family) to protect children and to facilitate optimal psychosocial development.

PMID:41384381 | DOI:10.1177/08862605251396045

Arch Ital Urol Androl. 2025 Dec 5:14288. doi: 10.4081/aiua.2025.14288. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Prediabetes, defined as impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), is recognized as an increasing metabolic disorder globally. Although its vascular and metabolic implications are well established, the link between prediabetes and male sexual dysfunction is uncertain. This meta-analysis was performed to summarize available evidence on the relationship between prediabetes and sexual dysfunction in men.

METHODS: A systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Scopus from inception to July 2025 was undertaken to retrieve observational studies reporting sexual dysfunction outcomes (erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation) in prediabetic men. The eligibility criteria were adult men with prediabetes and comparative data with normoglycemic controls. Studies were screened by two independent reviewers who also extracted data and evaluated study quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Meta-analysis with random effects model was employed to combine effect sizes and assess heterogeneity on the basis of I² statistic. Funnel plots and Egger’s test were employed to investigate publication bias. GRADE approach was applied to grade the certainty of the evidence according to risk of bias, inconsistency, indirectness, imprecision, and publication bias.

RESULTS: A total of ten studies with 11,000 participants were available for analysis. Combined odds ratio (OR) of sexual dysfunction in prediabetic men compared to normoglycemic men was 2.50 (95% CI: 1.35-4.64), indicating significant association with high heterogeneity (I² = 87.9%, p<0.001). Funnel plot asymmetry was checked by visual inspection and confirmed by Egger’s regression test for publication bias, which was not significant (p=0.275). According to GRADE, the quality of evidence was generally low, downgraded for high heterogeneity and imprecision but upgraded for large effect size.

CONCLUSIONS: We found that men with prediabetes have approximately 2.5-fold higher odds of sexual dysfunction than men with normoglycemia. Due to the high pooled effect size, although with low certainty of evidence, additional high-quality prospective studies are needed to replicate findings and explore the underlying mechanisms.

PMID:41384370 | DOI:10.4081/aiua.2025.14288

Ann Bot. 2025 Dec 12:mcaf320. doi: 10.1093/aob/mcaf320. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Adansonia suarezensis, one of Madagascar’s six endemic baobab species, is currently classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List and faces severe risks from habitat loss and climate change, being predicted to become extinct by 2080 if no conservation actions are taken. We combined population genomics with ecological surveys to assess the genetic diversity, population structure, and regeneration dynamics of this species across representative sites.

METHODS: We generated SNP data from 118 mature individuals sampled across four sites using a target capture approach and evaluated genetic diversity, inbreeding, and population structure. Ecological surveys were conducted at Mahory and Beantely, representing the two genetic clusters, to compare forest structure, floristic composition, and regeneration dynamics. Vertebrate diversity was also recorded to assess its potential influence on regeneration.

KEY RESULTS: Population genomic analyses identified two moderately differentiated genetic groups, with Mahory clearly distinct from the northern localities. Pairwise FST values ranged from 0.054 to 0.133, all statistically significant (p = 0.001). Despite low overall genetic diversity, no evidence of inbreeding was detected, consistent with bat-mediated cross-pollination. Ecological surveys revealed higher species richness, greater structural diversity, and stronger regeneration signals in Mahory, especially in core zones, compared with Beantely. By contrast, regeneration in Beantely was weak, with few saplings and juveniles despite relatively high adult densities. These differences likely reflect stronger edge effects, greater disturbance, and lower animal diversity at Beantely, which may limit pollination and seed dispersal.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that A. suarezensis is structured into two genetic groups with low but significant differentiation and that regeneration failure is widespread, but most pronounced in degraded edge habitats. Conservation strategies should therefore prioritize the protection of core forest zones, safeguard pollinator and disperser communities, and reinforce natural regeneration through targeted restoration. By integrating genomic and ecological perspectives, this study provides essential guidance for the long-term conservation of A. suarezensis.

PMID:41384368 | DOI:10.1093/aob/mcaf320

Chin Med J (Engl). 2025 Dec 12. doi: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000003855. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells have been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for relapsed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). T cells for CAR-T therapy can be derived from the peripheral blood (recipient) of the patient or donor. Despite having identical genomes, the different maturation environments of these T cells can lead to functional differences. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of CAR-T cells derived from these two sources.

METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study collected clinical data from 36 patients who experienced B-ALL relapse after allo-HSCT and received CD19 CAR-T cell therapy between January 2016 and October 2023 across seven centers. The primary endpoint was complete remission (CR)/CR with an incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) rate at 28 days post-CAR-T cell infusion. Secondary endpoints included the 2-year overall survival (OS) rate, 2-year event-free survival (EFS) rate, incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), cytokine release syndrome (CRS), and CAR-T cell-related encephalopathy syndrome (CRES).

RESULTS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 36 patients: 12 in the recipient group and 24 in the donor group. The recipient and donor groups showed no statistically significant differences in CR/CRi rates (83.3% vs. 100.0%, P = 0.105), 2-year EFS rates (50.8% vs. 51.6%, P = 0.617), or 2-year OS rates (49.5% vs. 63.6%, P = 0.215). In addition, the incidences of GVHD, CRS, and CRES did not significantly differ between the two groups. Further analysis within the donor group revealed 12 matched sibling donors (MSDs) and 12 haploidentical donors (HIDs). The 2-year EFS rate was statistically significantly greater in the HID group than in the MSD group (75.0% vs. 30.7%, P = 0.043), whereas no significant differences were observed in the CR/CRi rates, 2-year OS, or the incidence of GVHD, CRS, and CRES between these subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS: Both recipient-derived and donor-derived CD19 CAR-T cell therapies are effective treatment options for B-ALL relapsed post-allo-HSCT patients. HID-derived CAR-T cells offer a longer EFS and may be considered the optimal choice.

PMID:41384350 | DOI:10.1097/CM9.0000000000003855