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Nevin Manimala Statistics

The Battalion Aid Station-The Forgotten Frontier of the Army Health System During the Global War on Terrorism

Mil Med. 2021 Oct 15:usab401. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usab401. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The battalion aid station (BAS) has historically served as the first stop during which combat casualties would receive care beyond a combat medic. Since the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, many combat casualties have bypassed the BAS for treatment facilities capable of surgery. We describe the care provided at these treatment facilities during 2007-2020.

METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of previously described data from the Department of Defense Trauma Registry. We included encounters with the documentation of an assessment or intervention at a BAS or forward operating base from January 1, 2007 to March 17, 2020. We utilized descriptive statistics to characterize these encounters.

RESULTS: There were 28,950 encounters in our original dataset, of which 3.1% (884) had the documentation of a prehospital visit to a BAS. The BAS cohort was older (25 vs. 24, P < .001) The non-BAS cohort saw a larger portion of pediatric (<18 years) patients (10.7% vs. 5.7%, P < .001). A higher proportion of BAS patients had nonbattle injuries (40% vs. 20.7%, P < .001). The mean injury severity score was higher in the non-BAS cohort (9 vs. 5, P < .001). A higher proportion of the non-BAS cohort had more serious extremity injuries (25.1% vs. 18.4%, P < .001), although the non-BAS cohort had a trend toward serious injuries to the abdomen (P = .051) and thorax (P = .069). There was no difference in survival.

CONCLUSIONS: The BAS was once a critical point in casualty evacuation and treatment. Within our dataset, the overall number of encounters that involved a stop at a BAS facility was low. For both the asymmetric battlefield and multidomain operations/large-scale combat operations, the current model would benefit from a more robust capability to include storage of blood, ventilators, and monitoring and hold patients for an undetermined amount of time.

PMID:34651651 | DOI:10.1093/milmed/usab401

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Updating of the official statistics of deaths causes: “Let’s get stronger after the COVID-19 pandemic”.

Rev Esp Salud Publica. 2021 Apr 19;95:perspectivas17_cirera_zurriaga.

ABSTRACT

The National Spanish Institute of Statistics (INE) website is the main means of communication for official statistics in Spain. The INE publishes the annual statistics of deaths according to the cause of death. This vital statistic has improved a lot in recent years; also, thanks to the collaboration from the Autonomous Communities. There are certain areas that could optimize its usefulness. Indicator improvements could include provisional case-counts by causes of death, besides the age-standardization of specified causes of death and the Potential Years of Life Lost by cause of death, for territorial comparison. Meanwhile, the usefulness of social indicators applied to the statistics of death causes could be enhanced, as is the case of education. By updating the databases, it would be possible to maintain the registries of deceased and their causes of death without an annual closure before the statistical publication. Moreover, we could link the databases of demographic records of the population to their health files, to obtain individually the people at risk of sickness or death, and to enable their respective vital, social, health trajectories for statistics. In this way, the INE would increase its leadership and reference on mortality statistics in Spain and EuroStat, as well. Furthermore, the State, Autonomous and municipal administrations could redefine their publication offer into a more specified or innovative statistics of death causes.

PMID:34651616

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Relationship between passion and psychological well-being of Taekwondo athletes: testing the mediating effects of social behavior

J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2021 Oct 15. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.21.12924-X. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The study uses PROCESS Macro statistical model and examines the causal relationship of passion, social behavior, and psychological well-being of Taekwondo athletes.

METHODS: Passion, social behavior, and psychological well-being were measured among 261 registered athletes at Korea Taekwondo Association in 2021 in South Korea. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS 24.0, PROCESS Macro, Amos 24.0.

RESULTS: Harmonious passion had a significant indirect effect through prosocial behavior on the feelings of self-realization, confidence, and flow and through antisocial behavior on the feeling of flow. Obsessive passion had a significant indirect effect through prosocial behavior on the feelings of self-realization, confidence, and flow and through antisocial behavior on feeling of flow, hedonic enjoyment.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest that the level of perceiving psychological wellbeing differs based on the level of Taekwondo athletes’ dualistic passion. social behavior, the study is expected to serve as a model study that enables applying psychological well-being.

PMID:34651615 | DOI:10.23736/S0022-4707.21.12924-X

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Unintended pregnancy in users of nomegestrol acetate and 17β-oestradiol (NOMAC-E2) compared with levonorgestrel-containing combined oral contraceptives: final results from the PRO-E2 study

Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2021 Oct 15:1-7. doi: 10.1080/13625187.2021.1988923. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the risk of unintended pregnancy in NOMAC-E2 users with levonorgestrel-containing COC (COCLNG) users in clinical practice.

STUDY DESIGN: In this observational study, new users1 of NOMAC-E2 and COCLNG were recruited in Europe, Australia, and Latin America and followed for up to 2 years. Unintended pregnancy was expressed by the Pearl Index (contraceptive failures per 100 women-years [WY]), crude hazard ratios (HRcrude) and adjusted hazard ratios (HRadj).

RESULTS: Overall, 44,559 and 46,754 users were recruited to the NOMAC-E2 and COCLNG user cohorts, respectively. There were 64 unintended pregnancies in NOMAC-E2 users (0.15 per 100 WY; 95% CI, 0.11-0.19) and 200 in COCLNG users (0.41 per 100 WY; 95% CI, 0.35-0.47). The unintended pregnancy risk was statistically significantly lower in the NOMAC-E2 cohort (p<.0001) compared to the COCLNG user cohort. The HRadj of NOMAC-E2 vs COCLNG was 0.45 (95% CI, 0.34-0.60; adjusted for age, body mass index, gravidity, COC user status, education level).

CONCLUSIONS: NOMAC-E2 demonstrated superior contraceptive effectiveness compared to COCLNG, likely due to the comparatively short hormone-free interval and possibly reinforced by the long half-life of NOMAC.

PMID:34651535 | DOI:10.1080/13625187.2021.1988923

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Comparative analysis of the quantitative parameter method and elasticity color mode method for real-time shear wave elastography in the diagnosis of benign and malignant solid breast lesions

Tumori. 2021 Oct 15:3008916211048239. doi: 10.1177/03008916211048239. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the performance of real-time shear wave elastography (RT-SWE) in routine clinical practice.

METHODS: This was a prospective study of 500 patients. The elasticity color mode method was judged by a four-mode system. The quantitative parameter method was used to measure the modulus of elasticity of the lesions. Pathologic reports were used as a gold standard to comparatively analyze the diagnostic performance of the two methods.

RESULTS: A total of 553 tumors were detected. The average mode value and the modulus of elasticity (Emax) of the benign breast masses was lower than that of malignant masses (p < 0.05). With Emax = 67.4 as the diagnostic threshold value, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of the two methods were not statistically significant different (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The shear wave quantitative parameter method and the elasticity color mode method showed similar performances in the diagnosis of benign and malignant breast masses. The elasticity color mode method is convenient and intuitive, whereas the quantitative parameter method can be used to objectively assess the lesions when it is difficult to score the elasticity of an image, but could not be relied on alone.

PMID:34651522 | DOI:10.1177/03008916211048239

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Communication and swallowing management in childhood brain tumour or leukaemia: A survey of health professionals and consumers

Int J Speech Lang Pathol. 2021 Oct 15:1-12. doi: 10.1080/17549507.2021.1987520. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Brain tumour and leukaemia represent the most common childhood cancers and can result in communication and swallowing difficulties. The purpose of this study was to survey health professionals and consumers regarding the management of communication and swallowing difficulties in children with brain tumour or leukaemia (CBTL).Method: In this study participants completed a survey focussing on (1) communication and swallowing assessment and intervention, (2) multidisciplinary team (MDT) practices and (3) risk factors. Quantitative data were reported using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analysed using NVivo12 Qualitative Data Analysis Software.Result: Twenty-four participants were included (22 health professionals; two consumers). Most participants (≥80%) agreed that comprehensive and regular communication and swallowing assessments improved outcomes. Communication and swallowing interventions were reported to improve outcomes by 96% of participants. MDT care was considered essential in improving outcomes. Speech-language pathologists were the primary health professional identified in communication management; additional multidisciplinary health professionals were highlighted in swallowing management. Risk factors were identified across three categories: cancer-related, treatment-related and child-factors.Conclusion: This study collates the expertise and experience of multidisciplinary health professionals and consumers which can be used to guide assessment and intervention for communication and swallowing in CBTL. It also provides perspectives on MDT care and consideration of patient values and risk factors.

PMID:34651529 | DOI:10.1080/17549507.2021.1987520

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Generating, Presenting, and Interpreting Cost-Effectiveness Results in the Context of Uncertainty: A Tutorial for Deeper Knowledge and Better Practice

Med Decis Making. 2021 Oct 15:272989X211045070. doi: 10.1177/0272989X211045070. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This tutorial aims to help make the best available methods for generating and presenting cost-effectiveness results with uncertainty common practice. We believe there is a need for such type of tutorial because some erroneous practices persist (e.g., identifying the cost-effective intervention as the one with the highest probability to be cost-effective), while some of the more advanced methods are hardly used (e.g., the net loss statistic ‘NL’, expected net loss curves and frontier). The tutorial explains with simple examples the pros and cons of using ICER, incremental net benefit and NL to identify the cost-effective intervention, both with and without uncertainty accounted for probabilistically. A flowchart provides practical guidance on when and how to use ICER, incremental net benefit or NL. Different ways to express and present uncertainty in the results are described, including confidence and credible intervals, the probability that a strategy is cost-effective (as usually shown with cost-effectiveness acceptability curves (CEACs)) and the expected value of perfect information (EVPI). The tutorial clarifies and illustrates why EVPI is the only measure accounting fully for decision uncertainty, and why NL curves and the NL frontier may be preferred over CEACs and other plots for presenting cost-effectiveness results in the context of uncertainty. The easy calculations and a worked-out real-life example will help users to thoroughly understand and correctly interpret key cost-effectiveness results. Examples with mathematical calculations, interpretation, plots and R code are provided.

PMID:34651515 | DOI:10.1177/0272989X211045070

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Effect of Exercise Training on 1,25(OH)2D Levels: The FIT-AGEING Randomized Controlled Trial

Sports Health. 2021 Oct 15:19417381211050033. doi: 10.1177/19417381211050033. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is currently endemic worldwide and is considered as an important factor in the development of several chronic conditions. Physical exercise has been postulated as an auspicious strategy to counteract age-related disorders preventing premature mortality. However, the effects of chronic exercise training on 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] is unclear. This 12-week randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of different training modalities on 1,25(OH)2D in healthy sedentary adults.

HYPOTHESIS: Exercise training will increase 1,25(OH)2D in the study cohort.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1.

METHODS: A total of 89 healthy sedentary adults (53% women; 53.5 ± 4.9 years old) were enrolled in the FIT-AGEING study. The participants were randomized to (1) a control group (no exercise), (2) physical activity recommendation from the World Health Organization (PAR group), (3) high-intensity interval training (HIIT group), and (4) HIIT adding whole-body electromyostimulation training (HIIT + EMS). 1,25(OH)2D plasma levels were measured using a DiaSorin Liaison immunochemiluminometric analyzer.

RESULTS: Compared with the control group, 1,25(OH)2D increased in PAR (Δ = 10.99 ± 3.44 pg/mL; P = 0.01), HIIT (Δ = 11.63 ± 3.51 pg/mL; P = 0.009), and HIIT + EMS groups (Δ = 14.01 ± 3.59 pg/mL; P = 0.001) without statistical differences between them (all Ps > 0.1).

CONCLUSION: In summary, the results show that a 12-week exercise intervention produced an increment of 1,25(OH)2D independently of age, sex, and exercise modality in healthy sedentary adults.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The implementation of physical exercise could be considered a strategy not only aiming to reverse the seasonal decrease of 1,25(OH)2D in winter explained by low sunlight exposure but also for obtaining subsequent increases of this hormone even in these a priori adverse conditions.

PMID:34651517 | DOI:10.1177/19417381211050033

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Comparison of effectiveness of femoral neck system and cannulate compression screw in treatment of femoral neck fracture in young and middle-aged patients

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2021 Oct 15;35(10):1286-1292. doi: 10.7507/1002-1892.202103099.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of femoral neck system (FNS) and cannulate compression screw (CCS) in the treatment of femoral neck fractures in young and middle-aged patients.

METHODS: The clinical data of 82 young and middle-aged patients with femoral neck fracture treated between January 2018 and September 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into FNS group (24 cases) and CCS group (58 cases) according to different surgical methods. There was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05) in general data such as gender, age, height, body mass, cause of injury, complications, fracture location, and fracture classification (Garden classification and Pauwells classification). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, complications (nonunion, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, shortening of femoral neck, etc.), visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 2 days after operation, clinical healing time of fracture, and Harris score of hip joint after operation were recorded and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: The operation time and VAS score at 2 days after operation in FNS group were significantly lower than those in CCS group ( P<0.05); there was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss between the two groups ( t=0.263, P=0.796). The patients in CCS group were followed up 6-18 months, with an average of 13.6 months; and the follow-up time in FNS group was 3-12 months, with an average of 7.3 months. There was no complication of internal fixator loosening in both groups. There were 2 cases of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, 1 case of bone nonunion, and 13 cases of femoral neck shortening in CCS group and only 2 cases of femoral neck shortening in FNS group. The difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (27.6% vs. 8.3%) was significant ( χ 2=36.670, P=0.015). In CCS group, 3 cases underwent secondary artificial hip arthroplasty due to bone nonunion and osteonecrosis of the femoral head, and the remaining 55 cases achieved clinical healing; in FNS group, 6 patients excluded in the statistics because the follow-up time was less than 6 months, and the remaining 18 fractures healed clinically; there was significant difference in fracture healing time between the two groups ( t=4.481, P=0.000). The difference of Harris score of hip joint between 9 months and 6 months after operation in FNS group was significantly higher than that in CCS group ( P<0.05), and the Harris score at 9 months after operation was significantly higher than that at 6 months after operation in both groups ( P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: FNS can accelerate the healing of femoral neck fractures in young and middle-aged patients, so that patients can start functional exercise as soon as possible, thereby reducing the incidence of related complications.

PMID:34651482 | DOI:10.7507/1002-1892.202103099

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

The incidence and admission rate for first-episode psychosis in young people before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Melbourne, Australia

Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2021 Oct 15:48674211053578. doi: 10.1177/00048674211053578. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on global mental health, with one-third of infected individuals developing a psychiatric or neurological disorder 6 months after infection. The risk of infection and the associated restrictions introduced to reduce the spread of the virus have also impacted help-seeking behaviours. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether there was a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic in the treated incidence of psychotic disorders and rates of admission to hospital for psychosis (including involuntary admission).

METHODS: Incident cases of first-episode psychosis in young people, aged 15 to 24, at an early intervention service in Melbourne from an 8-month period before the pandemic were compared with rates during the pandemic. Hospital admission rates for these periods were also compared.

RESULTS: Before the pandemic, the annual incidence of first-episode psychosis was 104.5 cases per 100,000 at-risk population, and during the pandemic it was 121.9 (incidence rate ratio = 1.14, 95% confidence interval = [0.92, 1.42], p = 0.24). Immediately after the implementation of restrictions, there was a non-significant reduction in the treated incidence (incidence rate ratio = 0.80, 95% confidence interval = [0.58, 1.09]), which was followed by a significant increase in the treated incidence in later months (incidence rate ratio = 1.94, 95% confidence interval = [1.52, 2.49]; incidence rate ratio = 1.64, 95% confidence interval = [1.25, 2.16]). Before the pandemic, 37.3% of young people with first-episode psychosis were admitted to hospital, compared to 61.7% during the pandemic (odds ratio = 2.71, 95% confidence interval = [1.73, 4.24]). Concerning the legal status of the admissions, before the pandemic, 27.3% were admitted involuntarily to hospital, compared to 42.5% during the pandemic (odds ratio = 1.97, 95% confidence interval = [1.23, 3.14]).

CONCLUSION: There was a mild increase, which did not reach statistical significance, in the overall incidence of first-episode psychosis; however, the pattern of presentations changed significantly, with nearly twice as many cases presenting in the later months of the restrictions. There was a significant increase in both voluntary and involuntary admissions, and the possible explanations for these findings are discussed.

PMID:34651504 | DOI:10.1177/00048674211053578