Category: Statistics

Geriatrics (Basel). 2026 Jan 30;11(1):15. doi: 10.3390/geriatrics11010015.

ABSTRACT

Background/Objectives: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of applying the Beers criteria in the community pharmacy setting and aid pharmacists in identifying and emphasizing adverse effects from potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) for older adults. Methods: We applied a single-center retrospective study to collect demographic and outcome data in order to analyze dispensed PIMs for older adults. We used an evaluation tool to compare warnings between pharmacy dispensing software and the Beers criteria. Descriptive statistics were computed via standard statistical software. Results: Culled from a random selection of 215 patients, the medical records from 50 subjects ≥65 years old were reviewed, including 440 of their medications. Our data demonstrated that 96% of subjects were dispensed at least one PIM, with a total of 34 different PIMs distributed at varying frequencies. A comparative analysis indicated that 74% of dispensed medications had similar, but not identical, warning profiles presented in the dispensing software and Beers criteria. Anticholinergic burden of dispensed PIMs indicated that older adults were at risk of falls and delirium. By supplementing the dispensing software with Beers criteria, we were able to create clinical communication notes for providers, patients, and pharmacy students to emphasize the role pharmacists can play to minimize PIM’s adverse effects on older adults. Conclusions: Our data indicates the feasibility of implementing the Beers criteria in the community pharmacy setting. Integrating the dispensing software warnings with Beers criteria created a structured intervention strategy to prevent potential adverse effects and develop clinical communication notes to emphasize a more engaging role that the community pharmacy setting can play to optimize therapeutic outcomes for older adults.

PMID:41718363 | DOI:10.3390/geriatrics11010015

Audiol Res. 2026 Feb 14;16(1):27. doi: 10.3390/audiolres16010027.

ABSTRACT

Background: Hearing aid (HA) outcome is a multidimensional construct that requires not only the analysis of auditory function improvement, but also a subjective evaluation of benefits from HAs. Indeed, subjective satisfaction of patients with HAs is not entirely predictable from audiometric outcomes such as real ear gain or functional gain. In light of this possible discrepancy the 1990 Consensus Statement for “Recommended Components of a Hearing Aid Selection Procedure for Adults” suggested that verification of hearing aids benefit also incorporate the subjective satisfaction with amplification. Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the Italian version of International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA-It). Methods: Ninety-eight outpatients were randomly recruited to participate in this study. They all made regular use of HAs and were supplied with three different self-administered questionnaires. The International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA), the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA) or for elderly (HHIE) and the Italian translation of the MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The epidemiological features and results were analyzed as descriptive statistics. Continuous variables were expressed as means with standard deviations (SDs). Reliability of the Italian version was assessed by the following two parameters: internal and test-retest consistencies. Internal consistency reliability was measured by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Results and Conclusions: This study evidenced that the IOI-HA-It is proved to offer adequate subjective outcome measures to better appreciate the integral evaluation of a patient’s rehabilitative experience. Furthermore, since it is a very brief questionnaire with low demand on time and cost involved in its compilation, it should be recommended in clinical practice.

PMID:41718344 | DOI:10.3390/audiolres16010027

Audiol Res. 2026 Feb 6;16(1):24. doi: 10.3390/audiolres16010024.

ABSTRACT

Background/Objective: Self-perceived hearing handicap (SPHH) reflects functional consequences of hearing loss beyond audiometric measures. Clarifying its relationship with audiometric severity and demographic factors is important for understanding age-related hearing loss (ARHL). This study examined associations between SPHH, audiometric measures, age, and sex in individuals with ARHL. Methods: A total of 145 adults (50 men, 95 women) aged 60-89 years (mean 71.65 ± 7.19 years) participated. Hearing status was defined using better-ear pure-tone average thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz (BE PTA-4), with ≥20 dB HL as the cutoff and World Health Organization (WHO)-defined severity categories. SPHH was assessed using the Croatian Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly-Screening version (HHIE-S-CRO). HHIE-S-CRO total and subscale scores were examined across BE PTA-4 values and hearing loss categories. Associations were analyzed using correlation and linear regression adjusted for age and sex; group differences were tested using the Kruskal-Wallis test, and ordinal logistic regression assessed monotonic trends across ordered severity categories. Results: HHIE-S-CRO total and subscale scores increased with worsening BE PTA-4 and across hearing loss categories, with substantial overlap. Strong correlations were observed between HHIE-S-CRO scores and audiometric measures. In linear regression, BE PTA-4 was independently associated with HHIE-S-CRO total, emotional, and social/situational scores, whereas age and sex were not. Kruskal-Wallis tests showed significant differences across hearing loss categories. Ordinal logistic regression anchored to WHO severity categories demonstrated graded associations for HHIE-S-CRO total and emotional scores, while the social/situational subscale showed greater dispersion and overlap despite a statistically significant association. Conclusions: SPHH in ARHL shows a strong association with audiometric severity, with particularly robust correspondence for overall and emotional domains, underscoring the complementary role of patient-reported outcome measures alongside audiometric assessment.

PMID:41718341 | DOI:10.3390/audiolres16010024

Methods Protoc. 2026 Feb 12;9(1):25. doi: 10.3390/mps9010025.

ABSTRACT

We describe a comprehensive methodology for the application of game theory to omics data analysis, with a particular focus on coalitional games and Shapley values. This approach evaluates the cooperative distribution of genes within high-dimensional transcriptomics datasets, providing a complementary perspective to conventional statistical methods. We present the mathematical framework, implementation details, and references for applications that demonstrate its ability to improve the detection of biologically meaningful signals that may not be explicitly modeled by many conventional statistical methods. Our results highlight the potential of coalitional game theory as a powerful tool for enhancing reproducibility and interpretability in omics research, opening new perspectives in systems biology and precision medicine.

PMID:41718327 | DOI:10.3390/mps9010025

Nicotine Tob Res. 2026 Feb 20:ntag038. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntag038. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: People smoking tobacco cigarettes and switching to e-cigarettes report adverse symptoms attributed to e-cigarettes. We aimed at assessing the proportions and changes over 6 months in self-reported symptoms among participants of a large randomized controlled trial (RCT) testing e-cigarettes for smoking cessation.

METHOD: We included participants from the intervention group of the Efficacy, Safety and Toxicology of ENDS (ESTxENDS) RCT. They received e-cigarettes, free-base nicotine e-liquids and smoking cessation counseling, phone follow-up at 1-,2-,4-,8-weeks and a visit at 6 months after target quit date. A set of pre-defined adverse symptoms experienced while vaping or smoking were systematically assessed at each contact. We used descriptive statistics and mixed models to report proportion of symptoms over time in exclusive e-cigarette users. We assessed the effect of symptoms on smoking re-initiation and the effect of duration of exclusive e-cigarette use on the resolution of symptoms in marginal structural models (MSM).

RESULTS: The intervention group included 622 participants, with a mean age of 40 (SD: 14) and 53% identified as men. After one week, the most commonly reported adverse symptoms among the 405 exclusive e-cigarette users were dry mouth (34%,95 CI: 29%-39%), mouth/throat irritation (23%,19%-27%), and cough (25%,21%-29%). After 6 months, 256 exclusive e-cigarette users reported dry mouth (18%,14%-23%), mouth/throat irritation (11%,7%-15%), and cough (12%,8%-16%). MSM revealed mouth/throat irritation led to smoking re-initiation, but continuing exclusive e-cigarette use resolved dry mouth in many.

CONCLUSIONS: Adverse symptoms attributed to e-cigarettes are reported by fewer exclusive e-cigarette users over time. While continued e-cigarette use led to less dry mouth, mouth/throat irritation symptoms seemed to resolve because people experiencing symptoms switched back to smoking tobacco, while continuous exclusive e-cigarette users had less symptoms.

PMID:41717789 | DOI:10.1093/ntr/ntag038

J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2026 Feb 20:1-8. doi: 10.1017/S1355617726101817. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The Rey-Osterrieth complex figure (ROCF) test is widely used to assess constructional praxis. Qualitative scoring methods, such as the Boston Qualitative Scoring System (BQSS), enable the detection of alterations in spatial organization, planning, and executive control during copying performance. While alterations in constructional abilities have been previously reported in Parkinson’s disease (PD), the possible presence of subtle qualitative modifications in PD patients without cognitive impairment (PD-CU) and their relationship with the cognitive functioning is still to be elucidated. This study evaluates differences in copying strategies and error patterns in PD patients with (PD-MCI) or without (PD-CU) mild cognitive impairment, assessing the link with the cognitive profile.

METHODS: Seventy PD patients and 56 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. All participants underwent a neuropsychological assessment, including the ROCF. Their performance was assessed by standard quantitative scoring and qualitative rating scales (BQSS). Statistical analyses compared BQSS performance between groups and examined associations between qualitative visuo-constructional features and other cognitive domains.

RESULTS: Both PD-MCI and PD-CU groups showed qualitative alterations compared to HC, associated with executive dysfunctions. Qualitatively, PD-CU patients showed lower scores in neatness and planning measures compared to HC, the latter particularly associated with executive alterations. Notably, patients reporting a left or right asymmetric copy were characterized by different cognitive profiles.

CONCLUSIONS: The here-presented results support the importance of qualitative assessment in identifying early cognitive impairments in PD patients and suggest that BQSS parameters (i.e., planning) may offer complementary insights to standard quantitative assessments in detecting subthreshold executive impairments not yet captured by conventional tests.

PMID:41717769 | DOI:10.1017/S1355617726101817

Khirurgiia (Mosk). 2026;(2):93-99. doi: 10.17116/hirurgia202602193.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to compare between the use of buccal mucosal graft and lingual mucosal graft in management of anterior urethral stricture with evaluation of surgical outcome and donor site morbidity.

METHODS: This is a case control comparative study, was carried out at Ain Shams university hospital. All cases were selected from those attending the urology outpatient clinic presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to stricture anterior urethra and prepared for surgical management by urethroplasty with dorsal onlay technique.

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the studied groups regarding age, smoking, comorbidities, associated urinary condition and having urinary catheter. There was no statistically significant difference between the studied groups regarding stricture, graft and operation characteristics. There was no statistically significant difference between the studied groups regarding general and urethral outcomes. Problems with drinking (day-3), problems with eating soft food (day-3), problems with eating solid food (day-3 and week-2), dysgeusia (day-3 and week-2) and speaking problems (day-3, week-2 and month-6) were significantly less frequent in BMG group. Oral tightness (day-3, week-2 and month-6) was significantly more frequent in BMG group.

CONCLUSION: As evident from the current study, the study concluded that both buccal mucosal graft (BMG) and lingual mucosal graft (LMG) are effective options for the surgical management of anterior urethral strictures. The surgical outcomes, including graft success, stricture recurrence, and urethral function, were similar between the two groups. However, significant differences were observed in donor site morbidity. Patients in the LMG group experienced more early postoperative complications related to oral functions, such as difficulties with drinking, eating, and speaking. On the other hand, BMG patients reported more long-term issues with oral tightness. These findings suggest that both grafts are suitable for urethral stricture repair, but the choice of graft may depend on individual patient circumstances, particularly regarding their tolerance for specific oral complications.

PMID:41717750 | DOI:10.17116/hirurgia202602193

Khirurgiia (Mosk). 2026;(2):55-62. doi: 10.17116/hirurgia202602155.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent oncological diseases, with rectal cancer accounting for a substantial proportion of cases. Surgical intervention remains the cornerstone of treatment, with its success significantly influenced by individual pelvic anatomy. Nevertheless, there is a notable scarcity of studies specifically focused on evaluating surgical complexity based on pelvic MRI pelvimetry.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prognostic factors of pelvic MRI pelviometry that affect the complexity of surgical treatment of rectal tumors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 28 patients with tumors of the rectum and rectosigmoid junction who underwent surgery at the University Clinic of the MNOI of Lomonosov Moscow State University between 2022 and 2024. Surgical complexity was assessed based on operative time, blood loss, conversion rate, ureteral injury, and anastomotic leakage. Correlations between these parameters and MRI pelvimetry data were analyzed.

RESULTS: The mean operative time was 262±85 minutes, with a mean blood loss of 161±240 mL. Ureteral injuries and conversions were observed in 7.1% of cases (2 each), and anastomotic leakage occurred in 10.7% (3 cases). Significant correlations were found between operative time and intertuberous (r=-0.55; p<0.05) and interspinous distances (r=-0.46; p<0.05), as well as sacrococcygeal distance (r=0.48; p<0.05), anorectal angle (r=0.46; p<0.05), and tumor size (r=0.39; p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Several MRI pelvimetry parameters of the pelvis were significantly correlated with surgical complexity in rectal cancer. Preoperative evaluation of these parameters may improve surgical planning and outcomes.

PMID:41717746 | DOI:10.17116/hirurgia202602155

Khirurgiia (Mosk). 2026;(2):51-54. doi: 10.17116/hirurgia202602151.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To improve surgical treatment of abdominal trauma using endoscopic surgical methods.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 87 patients with abdominal organ injuries. All patients were divided into two groups depending on surgical approach: group 1 – traditional surgical treatment, group 2 – advanced strategy based on endoscopic surgical methods.

CONCLUSION: Endoscopic technologies for abdominal trauma reduce the incidence of open diagnostic surgeries, postoperative morbidity and length of hospital-stay.

PMID:41717745 | DOI:10.17116/hirurgia202602151

Khirurgiia (Mosk). 2026;(2):29-35. doi: 10.17116/hirurgia202602129.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To improve treatment outcomes in patients with acute severe pancreatitis by using of complex staged surgical treatment based on minimally invasive techniques in multi-field emergency hospital.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 343 patients with acute pancreatitis (mild – 123 (35.9%) patients, moderate – 119 (34.7%) patients, severe – 101 (29.4%) patients). Seventy-one (70.3%) patients had severe alimentary pancreatitis, 29 (28.7%) – biliary pancreatitis, 1 (1.0%) – traumatic pancreatitis. Mean hospital-stay in patients with severe acute pancreatitis was 23.0 [1; 115] days.

RESULTS: Organizational measures, reorganization of hospital management structure, changes in methodological principles and personnel of surgical department are described. Minimally invasive percutaneous, transluminal, laparoscopic and traditional surgical interventions were performed in 52 (51.5%) patients with severe pancreatitis. Sequestrectomy was performed in 19 (36.5%) patients (percutaneous – 14 (26.9%), transluminal – 5 (9.6%)). Mortality rate without surgery was 18.4% (n=9), after minimally invasive sequestrectomy- 31.1% (n=5).

CONCLUSION: There were better postoperative outcomes in patients with acute severe pancreatitis in multi-field emergency hospital after organizational restructuring of hospital, changes in medical personnel training and equipment. Optimized interdisciplinary interaction in multidisciplinary approach to acute severe pancreatitis was effectively achieved through higher versatility of all surgeons to multifunctional specialists.

PMID:41717742 | DOI:10.17116/hirurgia202602129