Category: Statistics

Klin Padiatr. 2021 Jul;233(4):194-199. doi: 10.1055/a-1443-6017. Epub 2021 Jul 21.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hypernatremic dehydration (HND) has increased in recent years most likely due to insufficient intake of breast milk as the most important factor. This study aimed to investigate risk factors of HND.

METHODS: In this study, 47 neonates whom were diagnosed to have HND were included in the study group and 96 healty neonates whom were included in the control group. While demographic data of the patients were recorded, mothers were asked to fill out the sociodemographic/ psychosocial data form, Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale(EPDS) and STAI I and II State and Trait Anxiety Scale. Breast milk sodium concentrations were studied from mothers of all infants. The relationship between the development of neonatal HND and risk factors affecting this condition were evaluated.

RESULTS: Being the first-born baby of the family was found to be a significant risk factor for HND. Breast milk sodium concentration was 25.8±7.9 mmol/L in the HND group which was significantly higher than the control group. Median depression score was similar in both groups and there was no statistical difference in terms of groups. The anxiety score was higher in the control group compared to the study group. There was no difference in terms of other sociodemographic / psychosocial data of mothers.

CONCLUSION: Primiparity or insufficient breastfeeding may result in elevated breast milk sodium levels and related neonatal HND. Breastfeeding support should principally target primiparous women to improve breastfeeding outcomes like as especially HND.

PMID:34289509 | DOI:10.1055/a-1443-6017

J Clin Nurs. 2021 Jul 21. doi: 10.1111/jocn.15950. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Research examining the effectiveness of resistance band exercises for improving physical and psychological dimensions among frail older adults has been inconsistent. We aimed to examine the effects of resistance band exercises for improving outcomes in frail older adults.

BACKGROUND: To provide robust evidence regarding the effectiveness of resistance band exercises and explore other potential outcomes in frail older adults, a systematic review of RCTs remains necessary.

DESIGN: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines.

METHODS: Four databases were searched. English language papers were retrieved from 2006 to 2020. Three reviewers reviewed the methodology of the selected studies using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool for randomised controlled trials. The pooled standardised mean difference was calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity among pooled studies was assessed using the τ² , Q and I² statistics, and publication bias was evaluated using Egger’s test and the visual inspection of funnel plots.

RESULTS: A total of 15 studies met the eligibility criteria for this study. Overall, resistance band exercise reduced frailty after 24 weeks (SMD: -0.29; 95% CI: -0.55 to -0.03) and reduced depression after both 12 weeks (SMD: -0.19; 95% CI: -0.38 to -0.01) and 24 weeks (SMD: -0.30; 95% CI: -0.52 to -0.09). However, no significant effects were observed for frailty after 12 weeks, and no significant effects were observed for grip strength, leg strength, activities of daily living or quality of life at any time.

CONCLUSION: Resistance band exercise might be considered a viable strategy for frail older adults in the community or in long-term care facilities. More research implementing a standardised protocol remains necessary to identify the effects of different training volumes and the dose-response relationship for the very old and frail population.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: As a safe complementary intervention for frail older adults, health providers should consider resistance band exercises when caring for frail older adults because this intervention has clinical benefits.

PMID:34289511 | DOI:10.1111/jocn.15950

Stereotact Funct Neurosurg. 2021 Jul 21:1-6. doi: 10.1159/000517427. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Meningiomas are the most common benign intracranial tumors. Gamma Knife® stereotactic radiosurgery (GKSRS) has become a preferred management for recurrent or residual meningiomas. This study focuses on the relationship between tumor control and the time interval between resection of a World Health Organization (WHO) grade 1 meningioma and GKSRS.

METHODS: This single institution retrospective analysis reviewed our experience in 238 patients who underwent GKSRS after a pathologically confirmed WHO grade 1 meningioma resection. The median follow-up was 7.4 years. The median aggregate tumor volume at GKSRS was 6 cm3 and a median margin dose of 13 Gy was utilized. Neurological symptoms were evident in 60% of patients at the time of procedure.

RESULTS: Overall actuarial tumor control rates achieved were 91.3% at 5 years, 83.4% at 10 years, and 76% at 15 years. There were 35 patients (15%) who developed tumor progression within or directly adjacent to the GKSRS treatment field. The median time until progression was 6.3 years. The duration between surgical intervention and GKSRS did not show statistical significance at 3 months (p = 0.9), 6 months (p = 0.8), 12 months (p = 0.5), or 24 months (p = 0.9). Fifteen patients (6%) had tumor progression at an anatomically distinct location outside the GKSRS target volume. Neurological symptomatic improvement was more likely with early radiosurgery intervention (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION: Postoperative GKSRS was associated with excellent long-term tumor control for WHO grade 1 meningiomas, regardless of the interval after initial surgery. In addition, earlier radiosurgery was associated with superior symptom improvement.

PMID:34289489 | DOI:10.1159/000517427

Eur Heart J. 2021 Jul 21;42(28):2729-2736. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab324.

ABSTRACT

The aim of the European Heart Journal (EHJ) is to attract innovative, methodologically sound, and clinically relevant research manuscripts able to change clinical practice and/or substantially advance knowledge on cardiovascular diseases. As the reference journal in cardiovascular medicine, the EHJ is committed to publishing only the best cardiovascular science adhering to the highest ethical principles. EHJ uses highly rigorous peer-review, critical statistical review and the highest quality editorial process, to ensure the novelty, accuracy, quality, and relevance of all accepted manuscripts with the aim of inspiring the clinical practice of EHJ readers and reducing the global burden of cardiovascular diseases. This review article summarizes the quality standards pursued by the EHJ to fulfill its mission.

PMID:34289494 | DOI:10.1093/eurheartj/ehab324

ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec. 2021 Jul 21:1-5. doi: 10.1159/000514460. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In China, nasal cannula oxygen therapy is typically humidified. However, it is difficult to decide whether to suspend nasal cannula oxygen inhalation after the nosebleed has temporarily stopped. Therefore, we conducted a preliminary investigation on whether the use of humidified nasal cannulas in our hospital increases the incidence of epistaxis.

METHODS: We conducted a survey of 176,058 inpatients in our hospital and other city branches of our hospital over the past 3 years and obtained information concerning their use of humidified nasal cannulas for oxygen inhalation, nonhumidified nasal cannulas, anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs, and oxygen inhalation flow rates. This information was compared with the data collected at consultation for epistaxis during these 3 years.

RESULTS: No significant difference was found between inpatients with humidified nasal cannulas and those without nasal cannula oxygen therapy in the incidence of consultations due to epistaxis (χ2 = 1.007, p > 0.05). The same trend was observed among hospitalized patients using anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs (χ2 = 2.082, p > 0.05). Among the patients with an inhaled oxygen flow rate ≥5 L/min, the incidence of ear-nose-throat (ENT) consultations due to epistaxis was 0. No statistically significant difference was found between inpatients with a humidified oxygen inhalation flow rate <5 L/min and those without nasal cannula oxygen therapy in the incidence of ENT consultations due to epistaxis (χ2 = 0.838, p > 0.05). A statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of ENT consultations due to epistaxis between the low-flow nonhumidified nasal cannula and nonnasal cannula oxygen inhalation groups (χ2 = 18.428, p < 0.001). The same trend was observed between the 2 groups of low-flow humidified and low-flow nonhumidified nasal cannula oxygen inhalation (χ2 = 26.194, p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Neither high-flow humidified nasal cannula oxygen inhalation nor low-flow humidified nasal cannula oxygen inhalation will increase the incidence of recurrent or serious epistaxis complications; the same trend was observed for patients who use anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs. Humidification during low-flow nasal cannula oxygen inhalation can prevent severe and repeated epistaxis to a certain extent.

PMID:34289467 | DOI:10.1159/000514460

Folia Phoniatr Logop. 2021 Jul 21:1-17. doi: 10.1159/000516979. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The role of prosody in language acquisition and effective communication is documented in research. Nevertheless, rehabilitation of prosodic skills in children with hearing impairment using hearing aids or cochlear implants is relatively neglected compared to other speech and language areas.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the effect of prosodic rehabilitation using the adapted translated version of the “Prosody Treatment Program” on expression of prosodic features in Egyptian Arabic-speaking hearing-impaired school-age children fitted with hearing aids or cochlear implant devices in comparison to conventional auditory and language rehabilitation.

METHODS: This study was conducted on 34 children with sensorineural hearing loss in a randomized controlled trial design. Children were randomly divided into 2 groups, group A (cases) and group B (control), by block randomization. Both groups were initially evaluated for their prosodic skills using objective measures. Group A received rehabilitation for prosody using the Prosody Treatment Program for 1 h, once per week for 3 months, while group B received conventional auditory and language training and served as their control. Both groups were re-evaluated using the same protocol after 3 months of therapy.

RESULTS: A statistically significant improvement of most of the assessed prosodic parameters in group A was shown when comparing the pretherapy and posttherapy scores, as well as comparing between both studied groups after therapy.

CONCLUSIONS: Prosody is amenable to motor learning. The Prosody Treatment Program seems to be an effective rehabilitation tool in improving some prosodic skills of hearing-impaired children. Prosodic rehabilitation showed superiority to conventional auditory and language training in improving the expression of some prosodic features and pragmatic language skills.

PMID:34289481 | DOI:10.1159/000516979

Urol Int. 2021 Jul 21:1-7. doi: 10.1159/000517292. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Patients nowadays often search video-sharing platforms for online patient education materials. Since previous assessments of urological videos were limited to English, we systematically assessed the quality of videos on treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer (PCa), and urinary stone disease (USD) in 4 different languages on YouTube using validated instruments.

METHODS: The search for videos on YouTube addressing treatment options of BPH, PCa, and USD was performed in October 2020 in -English, French, German, and Italian. Assessed parameters included basic data (e.g., number of views), grade of misinformation, and reporting of conflicts of interest. Quality of content was analyzed using the validated DISCERN questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: A total of 240 videos (60 videos in each language) were analyzed. Videos on USD in English had the highest number of views (median views 271,878 [65,313-2,513,007]). The median overall quality of videos assessed showed a moderate quality (2.5-3.4 points out of 5 points for DISCERN item 16). Median total DISCERN score of all videos divided by language showed very similar results: English (39.75 points), French (38 points), German (39.5 points), and Italian (39 points). Comparing the different diseases, videos about BPH showed the highest median scores, especially in German language (median score 43.25 points).

CONCLUSIONS: Videos concerning the treatment of BPH, PCa, and USD have a low to moderate quality of content, with no differences seen between the languages assessed. These findings further support the notion of improved patient information materials on video platforms such as YouTube.

PMID:34289487 | DOI:10.1159/000517292

Poult Sci. 2021 May 27;100(9):101286. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101286. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to evaluate 2 varieties of almond hulls (prime and California type hulls) as an alternative feed ingredient on the performance, egg quality, nutrient digestibility, and body composition using a total of 100 23-week-old Hy-Line W36 hens. Treatments consisted of a control diet based on corn and soybean meal; T2 and T3 were formulated to contain 7.5 and 15% of prime hulls; and T4 and T5 contained 7.5 and 15% of California type hulls. Inclusion of prime hulls and California type hulls had no effects on feed intake, egg laying rate, and feed conversion ratio, but California type hulls at 7.5% decreased (P < 0.001) body weight gain compared to the control. Prime hulls at 7.5% and California type hulls at both levels improved (P ≤ 0.022) AMEn and N digestibility. Both prime hulls and California type hulls had no effects on egg size, specific gravity, Haugh unit, and percentages of yolk, albumen and shell, but yolk color appeared greener and less yellow (P ≤ 0.009) by prime hulls and less yellow (P = 0.001) by California type hulls. For body composition, prime hulls and California type hulls at both levels lowered (P ≤ 0.017) body fat, and California type hulls at 7.5% decreased (P = 0.001) lean weight. In summary, inclusion of prime hulls and California type hulls up to 15% had no negative effect on egg production and egg quality while reduced the body fat percentage and mass.

PMID:34289427 | DOI:10.1016/j.psj.2021.101286

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2021 Jul 16;44:101447. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101447. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Outpatient nursing is an occupation with high emotional labor and job stress. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of auricular acupressure on stress, anxiety, and depression of outpatient nurses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design was a randomized controlled trial. Participants were 54 outpatient nurses, divided into an experimental (n = 28) and a control group (n = 26). Auricular acupressure using vaccaria seeds was administered to the experimental group, while placebo auricular acupressure using vaccaria seeds was administered to the placebo group. Sessions continued for 5 weeks. Outcome measurements included blood tests such as cortisol and serotonin.

RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in depression scores (t = 3.111, p = 0.002) and serotonin levels (t = 6.304, p < 0.001) between the experimental and placebo groups. Auricular acupressure decreased depression scores, and the depression-related physiological index, serotonin, also changed significantly.

CONCLUSION: Auricular acupressure using vaccaria seeds was effective in decreasing depression in outpatient nurses.

PMID:34289443 | DOI:10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101447

Am J Ophthalmol. 2021 Jul 18:S0002-9394(21)00376-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2021.07.010. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare visual outcome and recurrence rates of eyes with non-infectious inflammatory CNV treated with or without anti-VEGF injections and immunosuppression.

DESIGN: Retrospective, non-randomized clinical study METHODS: : Participants: Patients with CNV secondary to non-infectious inflammatory causes who attended uveitis clinics at Moorfields Eye Hospital between January 2000 and April 2016. Data was gathered from the clinical notes of all subjects examined in clinic.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), mean time to CNV recurrence, moderate vision loss (MVL; ≤ 20/50), severe vision loss (SVL; ≤20/200).

RESULTS: A total of 166 patients (204 eyes) with non-infectious inflammatory CNV were included in this study with a median follow-up of 6.9 years (IQR: 2.9-11.7; 1652 eye-years). The mean BCVA at the time of CNV diagnosis was 0.38±0.05 logMAR (Snellen equivalent 20/47) in the eyes which received the first-line anti-VEGF treatment and 0.44±0.03 logMAR (Snellen equivalent 20/55) in the eyes on other treatment modalities (p=0.39). Eyes treated first with anti-VEGF (n=55) received the mean of 4.35±0.53 injections and showed a statistically significant improvement in vision at all time points (p<0.001) except for a 5-year visit (p=0.25). The rest of the eyes demonstrated no significant change in vision throughout follow-up (all p>0.05). At the final visit the mean BCVA was 0.26±0.11 logMAR (Snelllen equivalent 20/36) in the former and 0.35±0.06 logMAR (Snellen equivalent 20/44) in the latter. The mean time to CNV recurrence was 186±15.1 months and the risk was significantly reduced by treatment with oral corticosteroids (aHR=0.32, CI:0.17-0.59, p<0.001) or anti-VEGF injections (aHR=0.31, CI:0.18-0.52, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Eyes that developed inflammatory CNV were at risk of vision loss. Those receiving early anti-VEGF injections achieved a better visual outcome and had a reduced risk of CNV recurrence. Oral corticosteroids also had an effect reducing the risk of recurrence in eyes previously treated.

PMID:34289337 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajo.2021.07.010