Category: Statistics

Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2022 Jun 6:S0901-5027(22)00221-1. doi: 10.1016/j.ijom.2022.05.008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Condylar hyperplasia is one of the causes of facial asymmetry and malocclusion, characterized by enlargement of the lower jaw due to excessive condyle growth activity. The aim of this study was to use micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to evaluate the bone architecture of the condylar head and determine whether there are differences between patients with various forms of unilateral condylar hyperplasia (UCH): hemimandibular hyperplasia, elongation, and mixed form. The cohort consisted of 28 patients with a mean age of 21.9 years. All patients underwent surgical treatment (condylar shaving) for active pathological growth activity. The portion of the condylar head removed was imaged by micro-CT and subsequently evaluated. Micro-CT imaging and semiquantitative and quantitative evaluation of the bone structure (percentage bone volume, surface density, trabecular thickness, trabecular separation, degree of anisotropy, and porosity of the subchondral bone) did not reveal significant differences between the individual types of condylar hyperplasia (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in bone structure between the anterior and posterior portions of the condylar head. No statistically significant differences between individual groups of UCH were found in the micro-CT evaluation of the condylar head bone architecture.

PMID:35680482 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijom.2022.05.008

J Pediatr Surg. 2022 May 20:S0022-3468(22)00367-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2022.05.012. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Infants affected by Esophageal atresia (EA) with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) may require non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in the post-operative period after elective extubation, especially if born preterm. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the role of different ventilation strategies on anastomotic complications, specifically on anastomotic leak (AL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective single Institution study, including all consecutive neonates affected by EA with or without TEF in a 5-year period study (from 2014 to 2018). Only infants with a primary anastomosis were included in the study. All infants were mechanically ventilated after surgery and electively extubated after 6-7 days. The duration of invasive ventilation was decided on a case-by-case basis after surgery, based on the pre-operative esophageal gap and intraoperative findings. The need for non-invasive ventilation (NCPAP, NIPPV, and HHHFNC) after extubation and extubation failure with the need for mechanical ventilation in the post-operative period were assessed. The primary outcome evaluated was the rate of anastomotic leak.

RESULTS: 102 EA/TEF infants were managed in the study period. Sixty-seven underwent primary anastomosis. Of these, 29 (43.3%) were born preterm. Patients who required ventilation (n = 32) had a significantly lower gestational age as well as birthweight (respectively p = 0.007 and p = 0.041). 4/67 patients had an AL after surgical repair, with no statistical differences among post-operative ventilation strategies.

CONCLUSION: We found no significant differences in the rate of anastomotic leak (AL) according to post-operative ventilation strategies in neonates operated on for EA/TEF.

PMID:35680465 | DOI:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2022.05.012

Trends Ecol Evol. 2022 Jun 6:S0169-5347(22)00112-4. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.05.001. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Earth’s most speciose biomes are in the tropics, yet tropical plant phenology remains poorly understood. Tropical phenological data are comparatively scarce and viewed through the lens of a ‘temperate phenological paradigm’ expecting phenological traits to respond to strong, predictably annual shifts in climate (e.g., between subfreezing and frost-free periods). Digitized herbarium data greatly expand existing phenological data for tropical plants; and circular data, statistics, and models are more appropriate for analyzing tropical (and temperate) phenological datasets. Phylogenetic information, which remains seldom applied in phenological investigations, provides new insights into phenological responses of large groups of related species to climate. Consistent combined use of herbarium data, circular statistical distributions, and robust phylogenies will rapidly advance our understanding of tropical – and temperate – phenology.

PMID:35680467 | DOI:10.1016/j.tree.2022.05.001

J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2022 Jun 6:S0161-4754(22)00004-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2022.02.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the trends in the expenditure and utilization of chiropractic care in a representative sample of children and adolescents in the United States (US) aged <18 years.

METHODS: We evaluated serial cross-sectional data (2007-2016) from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Weighted descriptive statistics were conducted to derive national estimates of expenditure and utilization, and linear regression was used to determine trends over time. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of chiropractic users were also reported.

RESULTS: A statistically significant increasing trend was observed for the number of children receiving chiropractic care (P <.05) and chiropractic utilization rate (P < .05). Increases in chiropractic expenditure and the number of chiropractic visits were also observed over time but were not statistically significant (P > .05). The mean annual number of visits was 6.4 visits, with a mean expenditure of $71.49 US dollars (USD) per visit and $454.08 USD per child. Children and adolescent chiropractic users in the United States were primarily 14 to 17 years old (39.6%-61.6%), White (71.5%-76.9%), male (50.6%-51.3%), and privately insured (56.7%-60.8%). Chiropractic visits in this population primarily involved low back conditions (52.4%), spinal curvature (14.0%), and head and neck complaints (12.8%).

CONCLUSION: The number of children visiting a chiropractor and percent utilization showed a statistically significant, increasing trend from 2007 to 2016; however, total expenditure and the number of chiropractic visits did not significantly differ during this period. These findings provide novel insight into the patterns of chiropractic utilization in this understudied age group.

PMID:35680457 | DOI:10.1016/j.jmpt.2022.02.002

ISA Trans. 2022 Jun 1:S0019-0578(22)00261-0. doi: 10.1016/j.isatra.2022.05.027. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The impact of COVID-19 on the Global scale is tremendously drastic. There are several types of research going on across the world simultaneously to understand and overcome this dire pandemic outbreak. This paper is purely a statistical study on a distinct set of datasets regarding COVID-19 in India. The motivation of this study is to provide an insight into the rapid growth of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India.

METHODS: The rapid growth of COVID-19 cases in India started in March 2020. The main objective of this paper is to provide a solid statistical model for the policymaker to handle this kind of pandemic situation in the near future with nonlinear data. In this paper, the data was got from 1st April to 29th November 2020. To come up with a solid statistical model, various nonlinear data such as confirmed COVID-19 cases, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, the total population (state-wise), the total area in km2 (state-wise), and the total rural and urban population count (state-wise) have been analyzed. In this paper, six different Generalized Additive Models (GAM) was identified after a thorough analysis of other researchers’ (Xie and Zhu, 2020; Prata et al., 2020) findings.

RESULTS: In all perspectives, the results were identified and analyzed. The GAM model regarding total COVID-19 confirmed cases, total population, and the total rural population provides the best average fit of R2 value of 0.934. As the population value is quite high, the author has concise it using logarithm to provide the best p-value of 0.000542 and 0.001407 for a relation between the total number of COVID-19 cases regarding the total population and total rural population respectively.

PMID:35680452 | DOI:10.1016/j.isatra.2022.05.027

Injury. 2022 Jun 6:S0020-1383(22)00379-5. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2022.05.055. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Rib fractures are a common presentation in both patients presenting with high impact poly-trauma and as a result of low energy falls in the elderly. This injury can lead to various complications including prolonged hospital admission, pneumonia, need for ventilation and in admission to intensive care unit. There is much controversy around the management of this injury in the literature, with favourable outcomes for patients treated non-operatively as well as surgically.

METHODS: We collated a database for all rib fracture fixations between 2014 and 2019 that took place at the major trauma centre in Liverpool. The decision to undergo surgical fixation was after discussion with multidisciplinary team at trauma meeting. Following British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma and Orthopaedics (BOASTs), these injuries should ideally be operated on within 48 h.

RESULTS: Overall, a total of 220 patients were included in the study (143 male and 77 female). 142 (64%) patients were operated on within 48 h of admission. A total of 101 (45%) patients required admission to ITU. Those in the early surgical fixation group had a statistically significant decrease in their hospital length of stay (12.8 days compared to 15.5 days, p=<0.001). Mean length of ITU stay was shorter in the early surgical group with no statistical significance (p = 0.1). Those patients that required mechanical ventilation in turn stayed in hospital for a longer period compared to those who did not (p=<0.001). There is no statistical difference in survival between the 2 patient groups (p = 0.3).

DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the largest data set published in the rib fracture fixation cohort. Our results agree with previous studies which have demonstrated that those who undergo ORIF tend require fewer days of hospital stay, less ventilatory support and overall have better outcomes in terms of pain when compared to those treated non-operatively. Our study adds that patients who receive treatment within 48-hours as per BOAST guidelines have better outcomes, specifically reducing hospital length of stay by nearly 4 days (p = 0.014).

CONCLUSION: Early surgical fixation of rib fractures leads to significantly favoured outcomes.

PMID:35680436 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2022.05.055

Gynecol Oncol. 2022 Jun 6:S0090-8258(22)00330-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2022.05.019. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies suggest that sleeping problems are frequent after cervical cancer. However, the evidence on the use of hypnotics is sparse. We investigated if women diagnosed with cervical cancer have an increased risk of using hypnotics and identified risk factors for prolonged use.

METHODS: In this nationwide register-based cohort study, 4264 women diagnosed with cervical cancer from 1997 to 2013 and 36,632 cancer-free women were followed in registers until 2016. Prolonged use of hypnotics was defined as more than three prescriptions with no more than three months in between. Data were analysed using Cox proportional hazards regression models and multistate Markov models separately for women with localized and advanced cervical cancer.

RESULTS: The rate of first use of hypnotics was substantially increased during the first year after cervical cancer diagnosis compared to cancer-free women (HR_localized 4.4, 95% CI 3.9-5.1; HR_advanced 8.9, 95% CI 7.5-10.6) and remained markedly increased for up to five years after diagnosis. Dependent on stage of disease and age, 1.4 to 4.7 excess women per 100 with cervical cancer were prolonged users of hypnotics compared to cancer-free women one year after diagnosis. Risk factors for prolonged use of hypnotics were higher age, short education, previous use of antidepressants or anxiolytics, and advanced disease.

CONCLUSIONS: Women diagnosed with cervical cancer are at increased risk of prolonged use of hypnotics. For the majority, treatment with hypnotics is initiated within the first year after cancer diagnosis, but the rate of first use is increased for up to five years.

PMID:35680430 | DOI:10.1016/j.ygyno.2022.05.019

Eur J Public Health. 2022 Jun 9:ckac063. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckac063. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In May 2020, the European Union Tobacco Products Directive mandated that EU member states, including Poland, ban the sale of menthol cigarettes. With menthol making up 28% of cigarette sales before the ban, Poland is the country with likely the largest menthol cigarette sales share in the world to ban their sale. We analyze how this ban changed the Polish tobacco market.

METHODS: We use monthly NielsenIQ data (May 2018-April 2021) on sales of cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco by menthol and standard flavor in eight regions of Poland. We set up a bite-style regression model controlling for pre-ban menthol share, climate, border opening status, and Apple movement data to estimate the effect of the May 2020 menthol ban.

RESULTS: We find menthol cigarette sales fell at least 97% after the menthol cigarette ban across Poland and standard cigarette sales replaced them. Regression modeling indicates that total cigarette sales fell, after the ban, an average of 2.2 sticks per capita per month, equal to a 2.9% decline, however, results were not significant (P = 0.199). The bite component of our model reveals total cigarette sales did decline significantly in the regions with the highest pre-ban menthol sales shares. Roll-your-own tobacco sales increased by a statistically insignificant 0.03 stick-equivalents after the ban (P = 0.798). Product prices also fell in the wake of the menthol ban.

CONCLUSIONS: In Poland, the EU state with the one of the largest pre-ban menthol shares, we find mixed evidence that the ban is working as intended.

PMID:35679583 | DOI:10.1093/eurpub/ckac063

PLoS One. 2022 Jun 9;17(6):e0265930. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265930. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Kidney dysfunction is prevalent in oncology patients and has an impact on their treatment and quality of life. The aim of our study was to analyze the prevalence of CKD in a large cohort of several types of cancer patients in an East European Region.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted an observational retrospective cohort study on 5831 consecutive, biopsy-diagnosed cancer patients between January 2019 -December 2020 in the largest oncology hospital and outpatient clinic in Western Romania. 4342 subjects were included in the statistical analysis.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: From the 24 cancer types, the most prevalent cancers were represented by: breast (22.02%), lung (10.18%) and colonic cancer (9.51%). The prevalence of CKD (G3 -G5) was 12.27% after the first year of follow-up and 13.42 after the second year. The prevalence of CKD was higher in patients with renal (50%), urinary tract (33.6%) and pancreatic cancers (19.6%) and lower in patients with colonic cancers (5.3%) and brain tumors (2.5%). At the end of our 2-year survey period, 0,7% of the CKD cases had an eGFR around 6 ml/min/1.73m2 -an indication for renal replacement therapy.

CONCLUSION: Oncology patients have a significantly higher prevalence of CKD compared to the general population, dependent of the age of the patients and the type of cancer. The prevalence of advanced CKD was surprisingly high (stages G4-G5 Pre-Dialysis 22.15%) one third of the CKD- G5 patients having indication for initiation of renal replacement therapy. An onco- nephrology team should be needed for the best medical care of these patients.

PMID:35679539 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0265930

West J Emerg Med. 2022 May 5;23(3):432-438. doi: 10.5811/westjem.2022.1.55029.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related articles published in emergency medicine (EM) journals provide insight into the responses of EM researchers and journal editors globally to a newly emerging infectious disease. We studied trends in the number, types, and national origins of COVID-19 literature published in EM journals to investigate knowledge transmission via scientific publication during the pandemic.

METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study. The EM journal list was adopted from the 2019 Journal Citation Reports. We retrieved data from the SCOPUS database, limited to publication year 2020, and identified COVID-19 publications when the title, abstract, or keywords included “COVID” or “SARS.” The outcome measurements were as follows: 1) monthly COVID-19 publication numbers in EM journals; 2) the percentage of COVID-19 published literature in terms of total journal publications; 3) the countries, affiliations, and authors of COVID-19-related publications; 4) the differences in the proportions of “Articles” and “Letters” between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 publications; and 5) the total, average, and maximum number of times cited for different types of COVID-19-related scientific literature.

RESULTS: We retrieved a total of 7,457 published papers from 31 EM journals. There were 765 (10.26%) COVID-19-related publications in 27 journals contributed by 67 countries; the first authors were from 49 countries. The monthly COVID-19 publication numbers in the categories of “Letters” and “Articles” were nearly equal before July 2020. The yearly proportions of COVID-19-focused articles and letters were 48.8% and 29.9%, respectively, while non-COVID-19 proportions were 72.1% and 9.8%, respectively. The chi-squared statistic of the differences between the numbers of articles and letters in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 published research was significant (P < .001).

CONCLUSION: An analysis of COVID-19 publications in EM journals indicated that, in the early stage of a newly emerging infectious disease, the number of letters and articles increased simultaneously. The proportion of COVID-19-focused letters was higher than those published on other topics. The “Article” and “Review” category of COVID-19 research was cited more times than that of “Letters.”

PMID:35679497 | DOI:10.5811/westjem.2022.1.55029