Category: Statistics

J Comp Eff Res. 2022 May 4. doi: 10.2217/cer-2021-0266. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Aim: To demonstrate the potential of fourth-order polynomials within a non-linear optimisation framework for matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC). Materials & methods: Simulated individual patient data were reweighted via fourth-order polynomials (polyMAIC) to match aggregate-level data across multiple baseline characteristics. The polyMAIC approach employed pre-specified matching tolerances and maximum allowable weights. Matching performance against aggregate-level targets was assessed, and also compared against the current industry-standard MAIC approach (Signorovitch). Results: The polyMAIC method matched aggregate-level targets within pre-specified tolerances. Effective sample sizes were either similar to or somewhat higher than those obtained from the Signorovitch method. Performance gains from polyMAIC tended to increase as matching complexity increased. Conclusion: PolyMAIC incorporates greater flexibility than the industry-standard MAIC approach and demonstrates matching potential.

PMID:35506464 | DOI:10.2217/cer-2021-0266

Biometrics. 2022 May 4. doi: 10.1111/biom.13687. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Analyses of biomedical studies often necessitate modeling longitudinal causal effects. The current focus on personalized medicine and effect heterogeneity makes this task even more challenging. Towards this end, structural nested mean models (SNMMs) are fundamental tools for studying heterogeneous treatment effects in longitudinal studies. However, when outcomes are binary, current methods for estimating multiplicative and additive SNMM parameters suffer from variation dependence between the causal parameters and the non-causal nuisance parameters. This leads to a series of difficulties in interpretation, estimation and computation. These difficulties have hindered the uptake of SNMMs in biomedical practice, where binary outcomes are very common. We solve the variation dependence problem for the binary multiplicative SNMM via a reparametrization of the non-causal nuisance parameters. Our novel nuisance parameters are variation independent of the causal parameters, and hence allow for coherent modeling of heterogeneous effects from longitudinal studies with binary outcomes. Our parametrization also provides a key building block for flexible doubly robust estimation of the causal parameters. Along the way, we prove that an additive SNMM with binary outcomes does not admit a variation independent parametrization, thereby justifying the restriction to multiplicative SNMMs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35506445 | DOI:10.1111/biom.13687

J Nurs Manag. 2022 May 4. doi: 10.1111/jonm.13657. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Culture of Care Barometer in healthcare organisations.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of tools to gauge the caring culture in Chinese hospitals. The Culture of Care Barometer is a psychometrically sound measure for caring culture developed in Western settings.

METHODS: This study was guided by Sousa and Rojjanasrira’s methodological approach. A total of 2365 staff were recruited from two tertiary hospitals. The Barometer was administered with the Hospital Culture Evaluation Index and Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire.

RESULTS: The content validity index were calculated as 0.99. The goodness of fit indices, apart from the model chi-square, which was statistically significant, all exceeded established thresholds for adequate fit. The internal consistency was very satisfactory. Pearson’s correlation indicated that the tool has good concurrent and convergent validity.

CONCLUSIONS: The Barometer is a reliable and valid instrument to assess front-line staff perspectives on a caring culture in Chinese hospitals.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nursing managers can use the Barometer to gauge the caring culture in China. Tailored interventions can be designed to address specific domains, and additional support can be provided to more vulnerable departments or staff groups.

PMID:35506434 | DOI:10.1111/jonm.13657

Australas Psychiatry. 2022 May 4:10398562221080740. doi: 10.1177/10398562221080740. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Test whether extra time with alcohol and drug nurses for inpatients at a Mental Health Unit (MHU) reduces post-discharge mental and co-occurring alcohol and drug problems and increases engagement in alcohol and drug treatment more than a Brief Information Pack (BIP).

METHOD: Single blind randomised control trial in block design compared two alcohol and drug nurse delivered interventions over 6 months post-discharge using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and Brief Symptom Inventory index of overall psychological distress Global Severity Index (GSI).

RESULTS: Alcohol and drug nurse delivered BIP was associated with a statistically significant reduction in AUDIT measured alcohol use for the highest follow-up score across the 6-month post-discharge period, n = 20, t = 2.24, p = 0.037, d = 0.50 and for the extra time intervention, n = 11, t = 2.51, p = 0.031, d = 0.76.

CONCLUSIONS: MHUs may benefit from the integration of alcohol and drug nurses with community alcohol and drug treatment experience.

PMID:35506425 | DOI:10.1177/10398562221080740

Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd. 2022 May;164(5):401-412. doi: 10.17236/sat00356.

ABSTRACT

Equine pastern dermatitis has a high prevalence in the equine population, especially in draft breeds. This skin condition is difficult to treat, and it is suspected that owners often decide on a treatment without consulting a veterinarian. The objectives of this study were to describe owner-reported clinical signs, severity, and reasons to consult a veterinarian. Moreover, we inquired about preventive measures and treatments, both instituted by owners without previous consultation or prescribed by their veterinarians. A total of 123 horses (owners recruited over social media) were included in the study. All horses suffered from equine pastern dermatitis at least once in the two years preceding the study. Standardized questionnaires collecting information on management, housing conditions, clinical signs as well as preventive measures and treatments were filled out by participants. The data was recorded, and descriptive statistics were performed. Most horses (71 out of 115 available answers, 62 %) had shown clinical signs of equine pastern dermatitis at least four times in their lives. A total of 113 horses (92 % of all included horses) were affected by equine pastern dermatitis at the time of the interview. For 37 horses (32 %) out of 114 available answers the owners consulted their veterinarian only after the horse showed signs of pain or lameness. Usually, treatments that did not require a medical prescription were applied without consulting their veterinarian (e. g. only 9 % (14 out of 150 prescriptions) of topical creams promoting wound healing were prescribed by a veterinarian). A total of 31 treatment decisions (55 %) with creams containing anti-bacterial, anti-mycotic and/or anti-inflammatory agents and 100 % of systemic medications containing anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic or anti-inflammatory agents were prescribed by veterinarians. Overall, 69 % of treatment decisions were made without consulting a veterinarian, making it then more difficult to determine underlying causes for the pastern dermatitis and rendering the treatment often longer and more onerous. To raise owner awareness of possible consequences if a veterinarian is consulted too late in the disease process, specific information campaigns to improve animal welfare should be considered.

PMID:35506419 | DOI:10.17236/sat00356

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2022 May 4:1-6. doi: 10.1017/ice.2022.97. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most common healthcare-associated infections in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), but its definite diagnosis remains controversial. The CDC Ventilator-Associated Event (VAE) module (validated in adults) constitutes a new approach for VAP surveillance.

DESIGN: We described epidemiological characteristics of PICU VAE cases, investigated possible risk factors, and evaluated 3 different sets of diagnostic VAE criteria.

SETTING: This study was conducted in a PICU in a tertiary-care general hospital in northern Greece during 2017-2019.

PATIENTS: The study included patients aged 35 days-16 years who received mechanical ventilation.

METHODS: From medical records, we retrieved epidemiological data, clinical data, and laboratory characteristics as well as ventilator settings for our analysis. We assessed “oxygen deterioration” for the tier 1 CDC VAE module using 3 sets of diagnostic criteria: (1) CDC adult VAE criteria [increase of daily minimum fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ≥ 0.2 or positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) ≥ 3 cmH2O for 2 days], (2) the US pediatric VAE criteria [increase of FiO2 ≥ 0.25 or mean airway pressure (MAP) ≥ 4 cmH2O for 2 days], and (3) the European pediatric VAE criteria (increase of FiO2 ≥ 0.2 or PEEP ≥ 2 cmH2O for 1 day or increase of FiO2 ≥ 0.15 and PEEP ≥ 1 cm H2O for 1 day).

RESULTS: Among 326 children admitted to the PICU, 301 received mechanical ventilation. The incidence rate according to the CDC adult VAE criteria was 4.7 per 1,000 ventilator days. For the US pediatric VAE criteria the incidence rate was 6 per 1,000 ventilator days. For the European pediatric VAE criteria the incidence rate was 9.7 per 1,000 ventilator days. These results revealed statistically significant correlation of all 3 algorithms with adverse outcomes, including mortality.

CONCLUSIONS: All VAE algorithms were associated with higher mortality rates. Our findings highlight the need for a unified pediatric VAE definition to improve preventive strategies.

PMID:35506391 | DOI:10.1017/ice.2022.97

Dent Med Probl. 2022 Apr 29. doi: 10.17219/dmp/143547. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dental caries is an infectious microbial disease of the teeth, affecting mostly young children. It is caused by the interplay of numerous factors that are more common in susceptible and lower-income groups. Therefore, there is a dire need for a simple yet effective method of treating dental caries.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of 38% silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) in the treatment of dental caries in a school setting.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial (RCT) using a parallel-group design was conducted among schoolchildren aged 6-12 years. Oral hygiene practices and sugar exposure were recorded at baseline. In the schoolchildren, 190 dental caries lesions were restored using 38% SDF (group 1) or ART (group 2). The χ 2 test and the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were done to assess the 2 treatment modalities. The RCT was carried out and reported in accordance with the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) checklist.

RESULTS: A total of 190 children fulfilled the inclusion criteria and the mean age of the study population was 9.3 ±1.3 years. The majority of the participants brushed their teeth once daily, using a toothbrush, rinsed their mouth after meals and had optimal sugar exposure. In measuring the outcome of the interventions after 9 months, 58.9% of the participants from group 1 had their restorations intact as compared to 47.8% in group 2, and this was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.004). The survival analysis using the log rank test showed 38% SDF to be better in comparison with ART.

CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that SDF was better at arresting caries, and hence it can be considered a viable treatment option in areas with limited access to oral healthcare.

PMID:35506381 | DOI:10.17219/dmp/143547

Stroke. 2022 May 4:101161STROKEAHA121037274. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.037274. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The use of instant messenger applications among physicians has become common in acute stroke management, especially in developing countries. Photos or video sequences of brain computed tomography (CT) scans are being sent to receive real-time support in assessing radiological findings. We analyzed whether instant messaging-based evaluation is precise enough to extract relevant information from the images.

METHODS: In this prospective study, anonymized videos and photos of CT and CT angiography scans of patients with symptoms of acute stroke were recorded from the diagnostic monitor using a smartphone. Two neurologists and 2 neuroradiologists performed evaluation of the images using WhatsApp. The gold standard was set by 2 experienced neuroradiologists who evaluated the CT images with their full radiological equipment. Statistical analysis included the calculation of Cohen kappa (κ).

RESULTS: A total of 104 brain images (derived from 81 patients) were included. All 4 raters performed with a perfect (κ=1) interobserver reliability in diagnosing intracerebral hemorrhage. For subarachnoid hemorrhage, interobserver reliability was slightly lower (raters 1, 2, and 3, κ=1; rater 4, κ=0.88). For diagnosing stroke mimics, interobserver reliability showed considerable variations (κ between 0.32 and 1). Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score differences overall were comparable between raters and did not exceed 3 to 4 points without noticeable outliers. All raters performed with a moderate-to-substantial interobserver reliability for detecting large vessel occlusions (κ=0.48 in rater 1, κ=0.62 in rater 2, and κ=0.63 in raters 3 and 4).

CONCLUSIONS: Stroke neurologists can reliably extract information on intracerebral hemorrhage from CT images recorded via smartphone and sent through instant messaging tools. Remote diagnosis of early infarct signs and stroke mimics was less reliable. We developed a standard for the acquisition of images, taking data protection into account.

PMID:35506382 | DOI:10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.037274

United European Gastroenterol J. 2022 May 4. doi: 10.1002/ueg2.12231. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument has been developed to inform the methodology, reporting and appraisal of clinical practice guidelines. Evidence suggests that the quality of surgical guidelines can be improved, and the structure and content of AGREE II can be modified to help enhance the quality of guidelines of surgical interventions.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an extension of AGREE II specifically designed for guidelines of surgical interventions.

METHODS: In the tripartite Guideline Assessment Project (GAP) funded by United European Gastroenterology and the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery, (i) we assessed the quality of surgical guidelines and we identified factors associated with higher quality (GAP I); (ii) we applied correlation analysis, factor analysis and the item response theory to inform an adaption of AGREE II for the purposes of surgical guidelines (GAP II); and (iii) we developed an AGREE II extension for surgical interventions, informed by the results of GAP I, GAP II, and a Delphi process of stakeholders, including representation from interventional and surgical disciplines; the Guideline International Network (GIN); the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group; the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research (EQUATOR) initiative; and representation of surgical journal editors and patient/public.

RESULTS: We developed AGREE-S, an AGREE II extension for surgical interventions, which comprises 24 items organized in 6 domains; Scope and purpose, Stakeholders, Evidence synthesis, Development of recommendations, Editorial independence, and Implementation and update. The panel of stakeholders proposed 3 additional items: development of a guideline protocol, consideration of practice variability and surgical/interventional expertise in different settings, and specification of infrastructures required to implement the recommendations. Three of the existing items were amended, 7 items were rearranged among the domains, and one item was removed. The domain Rigour of Development was divided into domains on Evidence Synthesis and Development of Recommendations. The new domain Development of Recommendations incorporates items from the original AGREE II domain Clarity of Presentation.

CONCLUSION: AGREE-S is an evidence-based and stakeholder-informed extension of the AGREE II instrument, that can be used as a guide for the development and adaption of guidelines on surgical interventions.

PMID:35506366 | DOI:10.1002/ueg2.12231

Twin Res Hum Genet. 2022 May 4:1-16. doi: 10.1017/thg.2022.2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Discordant monozygotic (MZ) twin methodologies are considered one of the foremost statistical approaches for estimating the influence of environmental factors on phenotypic variance. Limitations associated with the discordant MZ twin approach generates an inability to estimate particular relationships and adjust estimates for the confounding influence of gene-nonshared environment interactions. Recent advancements in molecular genetics, however, can provide the opportunity to address these limitations. The current study reviews an alternative technique, genetically adjusted propensity scores (GAPS) matching, that integrates observed genetic and environmental information to adjust for the confounding of these factors in nonkin individuals. Simulations and a real data example were used to compare the GAPS matching approach to the discordant MZ twin method. Although the results of the simulated comparisons demonstrated that the discordant MZ twin approach remains the more robust statistical technique to adjust for shared environmental and genetic factors, GAPS matching – under certain conditions – could represent a viable alternative when MZ twin samples are unavailable. Overall, the findings suggest that GAPS matching can potentially provide an alternative to the discordant MZ twin approach when limited variation exists between identical twin pairs. Moreover, the ability to adjust for gene-nonshared environment interactions represents a potential advancement associated with the GAPS approach. The limitations of the approach, as well as polygenic risk scores, are also discussed.

PMID:35506340 | DOI:10.1017/thg.2022.2