Category: Statistics

Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2022 Jul 31:S0939-4753(22)00294-0. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2022.07.005. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Observational studies have indicated that sedentary behavior is associated with myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), and atrial fibrillation (AF). Nevertheless, whether these associations are causal remain controversial, due to confounding factors (e.g., physical activity) and reverse causality.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Instrumental variables were obtained from the largest genome-wide association studies of sedentary behavior (408,815 individuals) to date. We obtained summary statistics of MI from the CARDIoGRAMplusC4D consortium (171,875 individuals), HF from the HERMES Consortium (977,323 individuals), and AF from the Atrial Fibrillation Consortium (588,190 individuals). The inverse-variance weighted method was applied to obtain Mendelian randomization (MR) estimates, and other statistical methods were conducted in the sensitivity analyses. The main analyses were repeated using data from the FinnGen study. Multivariable MR analysis and mediation analysis were performed to evaluate the role of physical activity and other confounders. Genetically determined television watching was associated with MI (odds ratio [OR], 1.38; 95% CI, 1.19-1.59; p = 1.9 × 10^-5) and HF (OR, 1.23; 95%CI, 1.09-1.38; p = 7.0 × 10^-4) but not AF. The main results kept robust in most sensitivity analyses. The effect of sedentary behavior on MI and HF was partly mediated by body mass index (BMI). No consistent evidence was found for the causal effect of computer use and driving on MI, HF, or AF.

CONCLUSIONS: Genetic liability to prolonged television watching is associated with higher risks of MI and HF. Interventions for reducing television watching time, such as public education and awareness campaigns, should be further investigated.

PMID:36163216 | DOI:10.1016/j.numecd.2022.07.005

Injury. 2022 Sep 19:S0020-1383(22)00685-4. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2022.09.026. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The suture material and pattern utilized to maintain the skin edges in proximity allows for successful primary wound healing. No prior studies have evaluated the tensile strength of different suture patterns on human cadaveric skin. This study evaluates the tensile strength of four single suture patterns: simple (S), horizontal-mattress (HM), vertical-mattress (VM), and a novel stich termed Lindeque locking (LL).

METHODS: Four skin closure patterns were tested on human cadaveric skin using 3-0 nylon – S, HM, VM, LL – totaling four groups with twelve samples each. A tensioning device applied 1 N of force/second in a linear fashion. The primary outcome measures were: (i) wound dehiscence force, and (ii) ultimate load to failure. Statistics included one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey tests.

RESULTS: The LL stitch had the greatest dehiscence force (198.60 N) and ultimate load to failure force (211.13 N) but was only significantly greater on both outcomes versus HM (104.81 N; 95% confidence interval [CI], 65.7 to 121.9; p< 0.001) and (120.79 N; 95% CI, 63.5 to 117.2; p < 0.001), respectively. There was no significant difference between LL and S for dehiscence, nor for the ultimate load to failure (186.90 N and 195.08 N, respectively). The LL pattern was significantly greater for an ultimate load to failure, but not for dehiscence when compared to VM (173.9 N and 171.1 N, respectively). Of all patterns, HM had significantly less withstanding force.

CONCLUSIONS: The Lindeque Locking stitch demonstrated the greatest dehiscence force and tensile strength. It may decrease the risk of wound dehiscence for high tension wounds.

PMID:36163204 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2022.09.026

Injury. 2022 Sep 13:S0020-1383(22)00670-2. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2022.09.018. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Phantom limb syndrome is a debilitating complication after extremity amputation that poses significant challenges to recovery. This study aims to examine the relationship between phantom limb syndrome and mental and physical comorbidities, including a comparison between phantom limb pain and phantom limb syndrome without pain in below knee amputees.

METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent below knee amputation of the lower extremity in the PearlDiver database, as identified using CPT codes. Analysis was carried out to evaluate the absence or presence of phantom limb syndrome. Matched bivariate analysis accounting for age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, and region was used to assess whether the presence of pain in phantom limb syndrome patients was associated with increased comorbidity.

RESULTS: In total, 44,028 patients with below knee amputation were examined: 95% (42,493 patients) did not develop phantom limb syndrome while 4.8% (1,535 patients) of patients did develop phantom limb syndrome. Phantom limb syndrome was significantly associated with increased odds of coexistent major depressive disorder (OR = 1.86, p <0.0001), generalized anxiety disorder (OR = 2.14, p = 0.04), posttraumatic stress disorder (OR = 1.7, p <0.0001), suicidal ideation (OR = 1.62, p <0.0001), obesity (OR = 1.28, p = 0.0007), osteoarthritis (OR = 1.53, p <0.0001), osteoporosis (OR = 1.64, p <0.0001), and low back pain (OR = 2.31, p <0.0001). Analysis of patient cohorts of phantom limb syndrome with pain and those without pain did not reveal a statistically significant relationship between the presence of pain and any dependent variable.

CONCLUSIONS: This investigation of over 44,000 patients with below knee amputation revealed that patients with phantom limb syndrome exhibit significantly higher rate of psychiatric comorbidities compared to those without documented phantom limb pain. Suicidal ideation, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder were especially common, and consequently a multi-disciplinary approach to management is essential.

PMID:36163201 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2022.09.018

BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2022 Sep 26;14(1):175. doi: 10.1186/s13102-022-00569-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In recent years, moderate physical activity has attracted the attention of experts and women as a way to cope with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Studies investigated the effects of exercise on PMS, but only a few reports focused on the relationship between physical activity, which included not only exercise but also routine bodily movements, and PMS. Therefore, the present study investigated the relationship between the amount of physical activity and PMS symptoms among sexually mature female students.

METHODS: A total of 381 female university students in Japan were surveyed using a paper or web-based questionnaire with the same content. The questionnaire consisted of basic information, PMS symptoms, and physical activity based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Participants were divided into two groups (≥ 3000 The Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET)-minutes/week and < 3000 MET-minutes/week) based on their total physical activity as calculated using the IPAQ guidelines. The two groups were then compared in terms of the severity of their PMS physical and psychological symptoms as calculated based on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ PMS diagnostic criteria. The Wilcoxon’s rank-sum test was used for statistical analyses. We then divided the participants based on the presence or absence of each symptom and used the chi-square test to compare the intergroup differences in ratios. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: Those with total physical activity of ≥ 3000 MET-minutes/week had lower total PMS symptom scores (p < 0.01), physical symptom scores (p = 0.01), and psychological symptom scores (p = 0.01) compared with those with total physical activity of < 3000 MET-minutes/week.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that young women with high physical activity (≥ 3000 MET-minutes/week) have milder symptoms of PMS.

PMID:36163183 | DOI:10.1186/s13102-022-00569-0

Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2022 Sep 27;20(1):145. doi: 10.1186/s12958-022-01012-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To assess the association between chromosomal polymorphisms (CPM) with congenital anomalies and perinatal complications in a cohort of newborns from couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), trophectoderm biopsy, and preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A).

METHODS: A retrospective cohort of singletons conceived after ICSI, trophectoderm biopsy, and PGT-A cycles performed at IVIRMA clinics in Spain over 4 years was involved in the study. Newborns were classified according to the parental karyotype analysis: Group I: non-carriers, Group II: CPM carriers. Couples with chromosomal anomalies and instances when both partners were CPM carriers were excluded from the study. The groups were compared for several perinatal complications.

RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the number of NB with complications in the carrier group compared to the non-carriers (19.7% vs 31.9%, p = 0.0406). There were no statistical differences among the two groups regarding congenital anomalies, preterm birth, alterations in birth length and weight, cranial perimeter, Apgar test score, or sex ratio (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Chromosomal polymorphisms appear to have no adverse effects on congenital anomalies or perinatal complications on newborns from ICSI + PGT-A cycles.

PMID:36163174 | DOI:10.1186/s12958-022-01012-2

Nat Commun. 2022 Sep 26;13(1):5654. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-32867-z.

ABSTRACT

A dysregulated immune response with high levels of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies characterizes patients with severe or critical COVID-19. Although a robust IgG response is considered to be protective, excessive triggering of activating Fc-gamma-receptors (FcγRs) could be detrimental and cause immunopathology. Here, we document excessive FcγRIIIA/CD16A activation in patients developing severe or critical COVID-19 but not in those with mild disease. We identify two independent ligands mediating extreme FcγRIIIA/CD16A activation. Soluble circulating IgG immune complexes (sICs) are detected in about 80% of patients with severe and critical COVID-19 at levels comparable to active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease. FcγRIIIA/CD16A activation is further enhanced by afucosylation of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG. Utilizing cell-based reporter systems we provide evidence that sICs can be formed prior to a specific humoral response against SARS-CoV-2. Our data suggest a cycle of immunopathology driven by an early formation of sICs in predisposed patients. These findings suggest a reason for the seemingly paradoxical findings of high antiviral IgG responses and systemic immune dysregulation in severe COVID-19. The involvement of circulating sICs in the promotion of immunopathology in predisposed patients opens new possibilities for intervention strategies to mitigate critical COVID-19 progression.

PMID:36163132 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-022-32867-z

J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2022 Aug 30:S1544-3191(22)00295-3. doi: 10.1016/j.japh.2022.08.025. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Statin therapy is recommended for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) to lower cardiovascular risk; however, evidence suggests that significant gaps in statin therapy exist.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate (1) the impact of a community pharmacist-led model for initiating statin therapy in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) on statin initiation and (2) pharmacists’ self-reported perceptions of the intervention feasibility and fidelity to the intervention.

METHODS: This was a type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study of 9 intervention and 18 control pharmacies within a community pharmacy chain. Pharmacy staff proactively identified patients with T2D not taking a statin and prescribed a statin via a collaborative practice agreement or facilitated acquisition of a prescription from the patient’s preferred prescriber. The eligible population included patients aged 18-84 years with T2D, who had filled ≥60 days’ supply of one, noninsulin, diabetes medication in a rolling 6-month period, and who had not filled a statin during the same period. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare time to statin initiation. Pharmacists at intervention pharmacies completed a survey at 6 and 12 months after implementation (March and August 2019, respectively) to assess intervention feasibility and fidelity.

RESULTS: For the statin initiation analysis, 1670 intervention patients were matched to 3358 control patients. Overall, 26.3% (n=442) of intervention patients and 25.4% (n=854) of control patients initiated a statin within 12 months of their index date. There was no difference in statin initiation likelihood between intervention and control patients (hazard ratio: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.83, 1.21). Fifteen pharmacists completed the 6-month survey (33% response rate), and 12 completed the 12-month survey (26%). The intervention’s feasibility score was 4.0 at 6 months and 4.2 at 12 months, indicating an increase in perceived feasibility. Fidelity decreased from 6 to 12 months.

CONCLUSION: The community pharmacist-led intervention resulted in more patients initiating statin therapy as compared to usual care; however, the differences were not statistically significant. Pharmacists perceived the intervention to be feasible; however, fidelity decreased over time.

PMID:36163125 | DOI:10.1016/j.japh.2022.08.025

An Bras Dermatol. 2022 Sep 23:S0365-0596(22)00199-4. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2021.10.012. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is characterized by an autoimmune response targeting melanocytes, thus resulting in skin depigmentation. There are several genetic components involved in the development of vitiligo, of which various gene polymorphisms are currently considered as risk factors. For example, the CTLA4 (T-lymphocyte antigen 4) +49A/G (rs231775) and CT60 (rs3087243) gene variants have been associated with a predisposition for autoimmune diseases in different populations; however, their involvement in the development of vitiligo remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the association between vitiligo and the CTLA4 +49A/G (rs231775) and CT60 (rs3087243) gene variants in a Mexican population.

METHODS: A total of 116 vitiligo patients and 117 control subjects from northeast Mexico were included in the study and analyzed through PCR-RFLP to determine whether there is an association between vitiligo and CTLA4 +49A/G (rs231775) and CT60 (rs3087243) gene variants.

RESULTS: No statistical difference was observed for both gene polymorphisms between vitiligo patients and controls (p > 0.05). Otherwise, vitiligo activity, family history of vitiligo, personal history of autoimmune diseases, or sex did not show any difference (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: As suggested by the analysis of a northeastern Mexican population, the CTLA4 +49A/G (rs231775) and CT60 (rs3087243) gene variants do not constitute a risk factor in the development of vitiligo.

PMID:36163113 | DOI:10.1016/j.abd.2021.10.012

Cancer Rep (Hoboken). 2022 Sep 25:e1691. doi: 10.1002/cnr2.1691. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIM: While studies continually identify new clinical prognostic factors in stage IV melanoma, the introduction of targeted and immunotherapies have revolutionised the prognosis of advanced melanoma since 2011. The study aims to investigate the prognostic significance of past and newly identified clinical factors in a contemporary cohort.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of The Canberra Hospital melanoma database identified 161 patients with Stage IV melanoma between 2011 and 2017. Survival was analysed by demographics and clinical factors with chi-square tests to determine significance. Logistic binary regression was performed to test the independence of the clinical factors on predicting the survival outcome.

RESULTS: Overall, the 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, and 12-month stage IV melanoma survival rate of our cohort was 79%, 67%, 55%, and 45%, respectively. Age, sex, and BRAF mutation status were found to have no impact on survival, whereas M1d category of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging (8th edition), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) >3, elevated serum LDH, more than three metastatic sites, brain metastases, poorer Eastern cooperative oncology group (ECOG) status were associated with poorer survival. Binary logistic regression test identified AJCC staging, NLR (cutoff score 3), LDH, and brain metastases as independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION: Most clinical factors investigated in this study were found to have a statistically significant impact on survival, with AJCC (8th edition) staging M1a-M1d, NLR (cutoff score 3), LDH, and brain metastases identified as independent prognostic factors in stage IV melanoma from a contemporary cohort treated with targeted therapies and immunotherapies.

PMID:36161287 | DOI:10.1002/cnr2.1691

Obesity (Silver Spring). 2022 Sep 25. doi: 10.1002/oby.23545. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Bariatric surgeries involve manipulation of the viscera and are associated with significant postoperative pain. Paracetamol is a nonopioid analgesic with a rapid onset, and it is effective and safe. The study compared the effects of pre- and postincisional intravenous paracetamol administration for optimal postoperative pain management in patients undergoing bariatric surgeries.

METHODS: This is a prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of adult patients, admitted electively for laparoscopic bariatric surgery. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group of patients was given paracetamol at the beginning of the operation, prior to the surgical incision, the other group of patients received the same treatment at the end of the operation.

RESULTS: Patients who were given preincisional intravenous paracetamol presented significantly lower visual analog scale (VAS) scores following the surgery compared with patients who were given intravenous paracetamol in the last 30 minutes of the operation (VAS, median [IQR] = 2 [2-3] vs. 5 [3-6]; p < 0.001). They also required fewer postoperative opioids and tramadol (in milligrams, respectively, 1 [0-5] vs. 7.5 [5-10] and 300 [100-400] vs. 400 [200-500]) compared with later analgesia administration (p < 0.001 and p = 0.03). The levels of inflammatory markers measured at fixed intervals from paracetamol administration were not statistically different between the study groups.

CONCLUSION: Early analgesia with intravenous paracetamol, given before the surgical incision, may result in lower VAS scores postoperatively compared with the same treatment administered toward the end of the operation.

PMID:36161276 | DOI:10.1002/oby.23545