Category: Statistics

Wiad Lek. 2021;74(5):1130-1133.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To study the odontoglific and odometometric parameters of molar crowns of the upper and lower jaws in males and females.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: To achieve the aim of the research was used odontoglyphic, odometometric and statistical methods of research.

RESULTS: Results: We have found that male molars of the upper jaw are characterized by approximately the same ratio between the vestibular-palatal and mesial-distal diameters of the crown, so the teeth are square-formed. For female large angular teeth of the upper jaw the predominance of vestibular-palatal over mesial-distal diameters of the crown is characteristic, which results in an oval form of the teeth. On having analyzed the forms of the third lower molars, it can be affirmed that for this group of teeth various variational forms of crowns, from three- to five-tuber forms, are characteristic. Vestibular-lingual and mesio-distal sizes also vary according to the type of odontoglific pattern of occlusal crown surface.

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: We consider it expedient to take into account the abovementioned characteristics of the masticatory surface of molars of the upper and lower jaws of male and female persons for the creation of qualitative orthopedic structures that would fully restore the masticatory function.

PMID:34090277

Sex Med. 2021 Jun 2;9(4):100378. doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100378. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Testosterone therapy (TTH) for testosterone deficiency (TD) may lead to elevated estradiol (E2) levels requiring management to avoid unnecessary adverse effects.

AIM: To examine the impact of aromatase inhibitors, specifically anastrozole (AZ), in men with elevated E2 on TTH.

METHODS: All patients on TTH at a high volume sexual medicine practice between 2005 and 2019 were reviewed. Men with E2 levels >60 pg/mL regardless of symptoms or 40-60 pg/mL with subjective symptoms were started on AZ 0.5 mg 3x/week. Routine hormone profile and symptom assessment were completed to ensure symptom resolution, reduction of E2 levels and maintenance of testosterone levels. Multivariable logistic regression was completed to determine predictors of men more likely to respond to therapy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Demographic and hormonal profiles of men on AZ and predictors of response to therapy.

RESULTS: 1708 men with TD were placed on TTH. Of these, 51 (3%) were treated with AZ (AZ+). After exclusions, 44 (2.6%) had elevated estradiol levels >60 pg/mL or >40 pg/mL with symptoms. Demographics were similar between groups. TTH distribution between groups was different with greater rates of topical TTH in the AZ- groups (AZ+:34.1% vs AZ-:53.5%) and greater rates of intramuscular TTH in the AZ+ group (AZ+:38.6% vs AZ-:18.5%) (P = .017 overall). Of the 44 men treated with AZ, 68.0% had pre-AZ E2 levels ≥60 pg/mL and 32.0% had levels between 40 and 60 pg/mL. Median pre-AZ E2 levels were 65 (interquartile range [IQR], 55-94) pg/mL in comparison to 22 (IQR 15-38) pg/mL post-AZ E2 levels (P < .001). Total testosterone levels were similar before and after AZ use (616 (IQR 548-846) ng/dL and 596 (IQR 419-798) ng/dL, respectively, P = .926). No statistically significant predictive factors of E2 reduction using AZ were found.

CONCLUSION: While no statistically significant predictors for E2 recovery in men on AZ were found, AZ remains a reasonable option for E2 reduction in men with elevated levels on TTH. Punjani N, Bernie H, Salter C, et al. The Utilization and Impact of Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy in Men With Elevated Estradiol Levels on Testosterone Therapy. Sex Med 2021;XX:XXXXXX.

PMID:34090245 | DOI:10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100378

Asian J Psychiatr. 2021 Jun 2;62:102711. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102711. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to critically examine the data from individual studies on CSF neurotransmitter metabolites to see whether there were consistencies in the results of the comparison of suicide attempters and psychiatric controls and of the comparison of attempted suicides using violent versus nonviolent methods.

METHOD: Systematic literature search across different electronic databases using PubMed/Google Scholar/EMBASE/Cochrane library was conducted for studies that reported concentration of CSF-neurotransmitter metabolites: 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy phenylglycol (MHPG) in suicide attempters, from January’1981 to November’2020. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and corresponding 95 % confidence interval (CIs) were deduced for outcome measures. I² statistics were used to assess heterogeneity within studies. Data were analyzed using STATA software.

RESULTS: A total of 36 studies (N = 1987 attempted suicide and N = 1235 psychiatry control) were included for the meta-analysis. We found CSF levels of all the 3 metabolites i.e. 5-HIAA (SMD= -0.43; 95 %CI: -0.61, -0.24), HVA (SMD= -0.16; 95 %CI: -0.33, -0.00) and MHPG (SMD= -0.33; 95 %CI: -0.71, -0.05) were lower in suicide attempters. While the findings were consistent for 5-HIAA, they were inconsistent for the HVA and MHPG. CSF levels of 5-HIAA (SMD= -0.66; 95 %; CI: -1.01, -0.31), HVA (SMD= -0.14; 95 %CI: -0.45, 0.16) and MHPG (SMD= -0.12; 95 %CI: -0.56, 0.31) were significantly lower in violent suicide attempters than non-violent attempters. No significant publication bias found in any study.

CONCLUSION: We found a significant association between lower levels of CSF 5-HIAA in suicide attempters, particularly the violent ones, compared to psychiatric controls, whereas findings from CSF HVA and MHPG were inconsistent.

PMID:34090249 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102711

Int J Nurs Stud. 2021 May 18;120:103976. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.103976. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A pressure injury is an area of localised damage to the skin and underlying tissues. Patient repositioning is an important prevention strategy, as those with limited mobility are at increased risk of developing pressure injury.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of repositioning schedules on the prevention of pressure injury in adults.

DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES: The Cochrane Wounds Specialised Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; MEDLINE (Ovid); Embase (Ovid) and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature Plus (EBSCO) were searched in February 2019. No restrictions were applied to language or date of publication.

REVIEW METHODS: Studies were eligible if they were randomised controlled trials including cluster trials, published or unpublished, and undertaken in any healthcare setting that assessed the clinical and/or cost effectiveness of repositioning schedules for prevention of pressure injury in adults. Methodological quality of the studies was independently assessed by three authors. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the I² statistic, and the pooled risk ratios along with their 95% confidence intervals were estimated using either fixed and random effects models, as indicated. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation was used to appraise the certainty of evidence.

RESULTS: Eight eligible trials involving 3,941 participants published between 2004 and 2018 were identified. Trials compared either different repositioning frequencies or positioning regimens. Three trials (1074 participants) compared 2-hourly with 4-hourly repositioning (risk ratio 1.06, 95% confidence interval 0.80 to 1.41; I² = 45%). Two other trials (252 participants) compared a 30-degree tilt with a 90-degree tilt (risk ratio0.62, 95% confidence interval 0.10 to 3.97; I² =69%). Only two trials included economic analyses, both amongst nursing home residents. One study estimated the costs of repositioning to be Canadian dollars $11.05 and Canadian dollars $16.74 less per resident per day for the 3-hourly or 4-hourly regimens, respectively, when compared to 2-hourly regimen. The second study reported 3-hourly repositioning using a 30-degree tilt to cost €46.50 (95% confidence interval €1.25 to €74.60) less per patient in nursing time compared with 6-hourly repositioning with a 90-degree lateral rotation.

CONCLUSION: It remains unclear which repositioning frequencies or positions are most effective in preventing pressure injury in adults. There is limited evidence to support the cost effectiveness of repositioning frequencies and positions. Registration: Cochrane protocol published in 2012.

PMID:34090235 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.103976

Sex Med. 2021 Jun 1;9(3):100363. doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100363. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: There are many Western reports on factors influencing coital frequency among men. However, no articles could be found about the factors influencing sexual activity among Chinese men.

AIM: The aim of this study was to identify the factors that influence the coital frequency of Chinese men.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures included self-reported monthly coital frequency, age, occupation, education level, andrology-related scales and dietary habits.

METHODS: Data for 1,407 men aged 18-79 years were collected in the Health Management Center of the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2019 to May 2019. The respondents completed the questionnaires independently or with the help of an interviewer (who read or explained the questionnaires to them) to analyse the factors that influence coital frequency.

RESULTS: In the previous 6 months, the sample had a mean monthly coital frequency (±SD) of 4.34 ± 3.18. Univariate logistic regression results indicated that the number of children (P = 0.004), IIEF-5 scores (P <0.001), EHSs (P <0.001) and frequency of milk consumption (P = 0.001) were associated with more frequent sexual activity. These statistical associations did not change after further adjustment for age, occupation, and reproductive history. We observed that the frequency of sexual activity showed an increasing trend with a greater number of children, higher IIEF-5 scores, higher EHSs and greater frequency of milk consumption (test for trend, P<0.05). Both univariate and multivariate analysis results indicated that the frequency of sexual activity decreased with increasing age (test for trend, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION: The coital frequency of Chinese men is associated with erectile function, anthropometric parameters, age, occupation, and dietary habits. Xiang Y, Peng J, Yang J, et al. What Influences Coital Frequency Among Chinese Men?: A Cross-Sectional Study. Sex Med 2021;9:100363.

PMID:34090240 | DOI:10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100363

Sex Med. 2021 Jun 2;9(3):100376. doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100376. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In previous studies, the relationship between atherosclerosis and erectile dysfunction (ED) was examined, but the relationship and correlation between Gensini score which evaluates the extent and severity of chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), and ED severity were not investigated.

AIM: To evaluate the relationship between Gensini score and ED in patients with CCS.

METHODS: We included 142 consecutive male patients with the diagnosed CCS and underwent an elective coronary angiography between January 2019 and March 2020.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Correlation analysis demonstrated that Gensini score significantly negatively correlated with the International Index Erectile Function – 5 (IIEF-5) score (r = -0.417, P < .001).

RESULTS: Severe ED was present in 48 (33.8%) patients, moderate ED in 31 (21.8%) patients, and mild ED in 22 (15.5%) patients. 41(28.9%) patients did not have ED. Both the No ED and Mild ED groups were statistically significantly lower than the Severe ED group in terms of the Gensini score (P < .05). When the recommended optimal cut-off point and accuracy measurements were made for the Gensini score, the area under curve (AUC) value in predicting ED was 0.806 (95% CI: 0.732-0.880, P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that independent predictors for ED were Gensini score and age (P < .001, and P = .026, respectively). Every 1 unit increase in Gensini score resulted in a 6% increase in the occurrence of ED (OR = 1.06, CI:1.03-1.10, P < .001).

CONCLUSION: ED can be caused by endothelial dysfunction. Patients with severe CSS and high Gensini score should be evaluted for ED. ED may be a sign of severe CCS and a high Gensini score. It is also necessary to evaluate cardiological in patients with ED. Deger M, Ozmen C, Akdogan N, et al. The Relationship Between Gensini Score and Erectile Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome. Sex Med 2021;xxx:xxx-xxx.

PMID:34090241 | DOI:10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100376

Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2021 Jun 5. doi: 10.1111/aas.13937. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) conducted in intensive care units (ICUs) frequently focus on all-cause mortality, but other patient-important outcomes are increasingly used and recommended. Their use, however, is not straightforward: choices and definitions, operationalisation of death, handling of missing data, choice of effect measures, and statistical analyses for these outcomes vary greatly.

METHODS: We will conduct a scoping review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. We will search 10 selected general and speciality journals for RCTs conducted in adult ICU patients from 2018 and onwards reporting at least one patient-important outcome other than mortality (including days alive without life support/days alive and out of hospital-type outcomes, health-related quality of life, functional/cognitive/neurological outcomes and other general patient-important outcomes). We will summarise data on outcome measures and definitions, assessment time points, proportions and handling of death, proportions and handling of missing data, and effect measures and statistical methods used for analysis.

DISCUSSION: The outlined scoping review will provide an overview of choices, definitions and handling of patient-important outcomes other than mortality in contemporary RCTs conducted in adult ICU patients. This may guide discussions with patients and relatives, the design of future RCTs, and research on optimal outcome choices and handling.

PMID:34089522 | DOI:10.1111/aas.13937

Pharmacol Rep. 2021 Jun 5. doi: 10.1007/s43440-021-00288-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The strong inter-individual pharmacokinetic variability and the narrow therapeutic window of tacrolimus (TAC) have hampered the clinical application. Gene polymorphisms play an important role in TAC pharmacokinetics. Here, we investigate the influence of genotypes of IL-10, CYP3A5, CYP2C8, and ABCB1 on dose-adjusted trough blood concentrations (the C₀/D ratio) of TAC to reveal unclear genetic factors that may affect TAC dose requirements for renal transplant recipients.

METHODS: Genetic polymorphisms of IL-10, CYP3A5, CYP2C8, and ABCB1 in 188 renal transplant recipients were determined using Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP). Statistical analysis was applied to examine the effect of genetic variation on the TAC C₀/D at 5, 10, 15, and 30 days after transplantation.

RESULTS: Recipients carrying the IL-10 -819C > T TT genotype showed a significantly higher TAC C₀/D than those with the TC/CC genotype (p < 0.05). Additionally, the TAC C₀/D values of recipients with the capacity for low IL-10 activity (-819 TT) engrafted with CYP3A5 non-expressers were higher compared to the intermediate/high activity of IL-10 -819C > T TC or CC carrying CYP3A5 expressers, and the difference was statistically significant at different time points (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Genetic polymorphisms of IL-10 -819C > T and CYP3A5 6986A > G influence the TAC C₀/D, which may contribute to variation in TAC dose requirements during the early post-transplantation period. Detecting IL-10 -819C > T and CYP3A5 6986A > G polymorphisms may allow determination of individualized tacrolimus dosage regimens for renal transplant recipients during the early post-transplantation period.

PMID:34089513 | DOI:10.1007/s43440-021-00288-2

Obes Surg. 2021 Jun 5. doi: 10.1007/s11695-021-05511-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study assessed the benefits and efficacy of bariatric surgery (BS) in reducing the risk of cancer in Asians with morbid obesity.

METHODS: Records for patients aged between 18 and 55 years whose diagnoses corresponded with the ICD-9 codes for obesity and BS were extracted from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan between 2000 and 2015. The patients who underwent BS (BS group), those who did not undergo BS (NS group), and the general population (GP group) were propensity score matched. The outcome was newly diagnosed malignancy. Data were extracted from the Registry for Catastrophic Illness Patient Database (RCIPD) of the NHIRD.

RESULTS: The BS group developed significantly less malignancy (1.18%) than the GP group (1.46%, p = 0.0364). There was no statistically significant difference in malignancy risk between the BS and GP groups (aHR =1.00, p = 0.9997). The NS group developed significantly higher malignancy (2.48%) than the GP group (1.97%, p < 0.0001). There was a significantly higher malignancy risk in the NS group (aHR =1.22, p < 0.0001) than in the GP group. In the subgroup analysis, the malignancy risks of the NS group were significantly higher in the subgroup of men aged between 18 and 35 years (aHR =1.37, p = 0.003) and women aged between 18 and 35 years (aHR = 1.62, p < 0.0001), and 35-55 years (aHR = 1.27, p < 0.0001). All the subgroup analyses between the BS and GP groups demonstrated no significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that BS reduced the risk of malignancy in patients with morbid obesity, particularly in women and young men.

PMID:34089441 | DOI:10.1007/s11695-021-05511-w

Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2021 Jun 5. doi: 10.1007/s10557-021-07209-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) recorded with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have been associated with the development of clinical atrial fibrillation (AF) and increase in stroke and death risk. We sought to perform a systematic review with a meta-analysis to evaluate the prevalence of AHREs detected by CIEDs, their association with stroke risk, development of clinical AF, and mortality among patients without a documented history of AF.

METHODS: We searched several databases, ClinicalTrials.gov, references of reviews, and meeting abstract books without any language restrictions up to 9 September 2020. We studied patients with CIEDs in whom AHREs were detected. Exclusion criterion was AF history. Our primary outcome was the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with AHREs.

RESULTS: We deemed eligible eight studies for the meta-analysis enrolling a total of 4322 patients with CIED and without a documented AF history. The overall AHRE incidence ratio was estimated to be 17.56 (95% CI, 8.61 to 35.79) cases per 100 person-years. Evidence of moderate certainty suggests that patients with documented AHREs were 4.45 times (95% CI 2.87-6.91) more likely to develop clinical AF. Evidence of low confidence suggests that AHREs were associated with a 1.90-fold increased stroke risk (95% CI 1.19-3.05). AHREs were not associated with a statistically significant increased mortality risk.

CONCLUSION: The present systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that among patients without a documented history of AF, the detection of AHREs by CIEDs was associated with significant increased risk of clinical AF and stroke.

REGISTRATION NUMBER (DOI): Available in https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/ZRF6M .

PMID:34089429 | DOI:10.1007/s10557-021-07209-8