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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Secondary analyses of swallowing efficiency and safety outcomes following thyroidectomy versus thyroidectomy plus prophylactic central neck dissection

Thyroid Res. 2025 Sep 16;18(1):45. doi: 10.1186/s13044-025-00264-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Swallowing complaints are common following total thyroidectomy, though an exact mechanism of patient-reported swallowing symptoms following thyroidectomy is currently lacking. This secondary, blinded analysis of data collected in a randomized, controlled clinical trial hypothesized that patients randomly assigned to the central neck dissection group would exhibit increased aspiration and pharyngeal residue on videofluoroscopic swallowing evaluation, and reduced patient-rated swallowing outcomes, as compared to patients randomized to thyroidectomy alone. We further hypothesized that blinded analysis would reveal worse swallowing function two-weeks post-surgery when compared to their pre-operative status to explain qualitative patient-reported dysphagia symptoms.

METHODS: Thirty-two participants randomized to total thyroidectomy treatment with or without central neck dissection underwent pre- and post-surgical evaluation of swallowing outcomes, including videofluoroscopic Penetration/Aspiration Scale ratings, Normalized Residue Ratio Scale measures of valleculae and pyriform sinus residue, and EAT-10 patient-rated outcomes.

RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found post-surgery between randomized treatment groups for patient-rated EAT-10 scores (p = 0.2406), penetration/aspiration scale (p = 0.4465) or Normalized Residue Rating Scale scores for either vallecular or pyriform sinus sites. When group data were combined for analysis of differences between pre- and post-operative swallow performance, no statistically significant differences were found in patient-rated EAT-10 scores (p = 0.1374), penetration/aspiration scale (p = 0.7588) or Normalized Residue Rating Scale scores.

CONCLUSIONS: Measures of penetration/aspiration and pharyngeal residue failed to substantiate perceptions of post-operative dysphagia reported by patients undergoing total thyroidectomy with or without central neck dissection.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02138214.

PMID:40954474 | DOI:10.1186/s13044-025-00264-5

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Secondary analyses of swallowing efficiency and safety outcomes following thyroidectomy versus thyroidectomy plus prophylactic central neck dissection

Thyroid Res. 2025 Sep 16;18(1):45. doi: 10.1186/s13044-025-00264-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Swallowing complaints are common following total thyroidectomy, though an exact mechanism of patient-reported swallowing symptoms following thyroidectomy is currently lacking. This secondary, blinded analysis of data collected in a randomized, controlled clinical trial hypothesized that patients randomly assigned to the central neck dissection group would exhibit increased aspiration and pharyngeal residue on videofluoroscopic swallowing evaluation, and reduced patient-rated swallowing outcomes, as compared to patients randomized to thyroidectomy alone. We further hypothesized that blinded analysis would reveal worse swallowing function two-weeks post-surgery when compared to their pre-operative status to explain qualitative patient-reported dysphagia symptoms.

METHODS: Thirty-two participants randomized to total thyroidectomy treatment with or without central neck dissection underwent pre- and post-surgical evaluation of swallowing outcomes, including videofluoroscopic Penetration/Aspiration Scale ratings, Normalized Residue Ratio Scale measures of valleculae and pyriform sinus residue, and EAT-10 patient-rated outcomes.

RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found post-surgery between randomized treatment groups for patient-rated EAT-10 scores (p = 0.2406), penetration/aspiration scale (p = 0.4465) or Normalized Residue Rating Scale scores for either vallecular or pyriform sinus sites. When group data were combined for analysis of differences between pre- and post-operative swallow performance, no statistically significant differences were found in patient-rated EAT-10 scores (p = 0.1374), penetration/aspiration scale (p = 0.7588) or Normalized Residue Rating Scale scores.

CONCLUSIONS: Measures of penetration/aspiration and pharyngeal residue failed to substantiate perceptions of post-operative dysphagia reported by patients undergoing total thyroidectomy with or without central neck dissection.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02138214.

PMID:40954474 | DOI:10.1186/s13044-025-00264-5

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

CHAT-RT study: ChatGPT in radiation oncology-a survey on usage, perception, and impact among DEGRO members

Radiat Oncol. 2025 Sep 15;20(1):140. doi: 10.1186/s13014-025-02721-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Radiation oncology is increasingly turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) – and in particular Chat Generative pre-trained transformer (ChatGPT) – for decision support, patient education, and workflow efficiency. Despite promising gains, questions about accuracy, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)-compliance and ethical use persist, especially in high-stakes cancer care. To clarify real-world attitudes and practices, we surveyed members of the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) on their use, perceptions, and concerns regarding ChatGPT across clinical, research, communication, and administrative tasks.

METHODS: An anonymous online survey was implemented via LimeSurvey platform and distributed to all members of the DEGRO in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland between April and June 2024. The 40-item questionnaire-covering demographics, radiotherapy experience, and ChatGPT’s clinical, research, communication, and administrative applications-was developed through a narrative literature review, ChatGPT-assisted drafting, back-translation, expert validation, and pilot testing. Fully completed responses were used for descriptive statistics and analysis.

RESULTS: Of 213 respondents, 159 fully completed the survey. Participants were predominantly based in Germany (92.5%), worked in university hospitals (74.2%), and identified as radiation oncologists (54.7%), with a broad range of radiotherapy experience (< 1 year: 7.5%; >15 years: 24.5%). Awareness of ChatGPT was high (94.9%), yet actual use varied: 32.1% never used it, while 35.2% employed it regularly for administrative tasks and 30.2% for manuscript drafting. Mid-career clinicians (6-10 years’ experience) showed the greatest enthusiasm-44% agreed it saves time and 72% planned further integration-though all career stages (71.7% overall) expressed strong interest in formal training. Satisfaction was highest for administrative (94.6%) and manuscript support (91.7%) but lower for technical queries (66.7%). Major concerns included misinformation (69.2%), erosion of critical thinking (57.9%), and data-privacy risks (57.2%).

CONCLUSION: Our survey demonstrates high awareness and adoption of ChatGPT for administrative and educational tasks, alongside more cautious use in clinical decision-making. Widespread concerns about misinformation, critical-thinking erosion, and data privacy-especially among early- and mid-career clinicians-underscore the need for targeted AI training, rigorous validation, and transparent governance to ensure safe, effective integration into patient care.

PMID:40954471 | DOI:10.1186/s13014-025-02721-9

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

CHAT-RT study: ChatGPT in radiation oncology-a survey on usage, perception, and impact among DEGRO members

Radiat Oncol. 2025 Sep 15;20(1):140. doi: 10.1186/s13014-025-02721-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Radiation oncology is increasingly turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) – and in particular Chat Generative pre-trained transformer (ChatGPT) – for decision support, patient education, and workflow efficiency. Despite promising gains, questions about accuracy, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)-compliance and ethical use persist, especially in high-stakes cancer care. To clarify real-world attitudes and practices, we surveyed members of the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) on their use, perceptions, and concerns regarding ChatGPT across clinical, research, communication, and administrative tasks.

METHODS: An anonymous online survey was implemented via LimeSurvey platform and distributed to all members of the DEGRO in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland between April and June 2024. The 40-item questionnaire-covering demographics, radiotherapy experience, and ChatGPT’s clinical, research, communication, and administrative applications-was developed through a narrative literature review, ChatGPT-assisted drafting, back-translation, expert validation, and pilot testing. Fully completed responses were used for descriptive statistics and analysis.

RESULTS: Of 213 respondents, 159 fully completed the survey. Participants were predominantly based in Germany (92.5%), worked in university hospitals (74.2%), and identified as radiation oncologists (54.7%), with a broad range of radiotherapy experience (< 1 year: 7.5%; >15 years: 24.5%). Awareness of ChatGPT was high (94.9%), yet actual use varied: 32.1% never used it, while 35.2% employed it regularly for administrative tasks and 30.2% for manuscript drafting. Mid-career clinicians (6-10 years’ experience) showed the greatest enthusiasm-44% agreed it saves time and 72% planned further integration-though all career stages (71.7% overall) expressed strong interest in formal training. Satisfaction was highest for administrative (94.6%) and manuscript support (91.7%) but lower for technical queries (66.7%). Major concerns included misinformation (69.2%), erosion of critical thinking (57.9%), and data-privacy risks (57.2%).

CONCLUSION: Our survey demonstrates high awareness and adoption of ChatGPT for administrative and educational tasks, alongside more cautious use in clinical decision-making. Widespread concerns about misinformation, critical-thinking erosion, and data privacy-especially among early- and mid-career clinicians-underscore the need for targeted AI training, rigorous validation, and transparent governance to ensure safe, effective integration into patient care.

PMID:40954471 | DOI:10.1186/s13014-025-02721-9

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Epidemiological trends and determinants of suicide in Iran with insights into the COVID-19 period, 1980-2021

Popul Health Metr. 2025 Sep 15;23(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s12963-025-00416-7.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Suicide is a significant global health issue, responsible for 759,028 deaths worldwide in 2019. In Iran, suicide rates have fluctuated significantly from 1980 to 2020, influenced by social, economic, and psychological factors. Adolescents and young adults, in particular, face high suicide rates related to financial problems and mental health disorders. This study aims to identify trends in suicide changes in Iran and the factors influencing them.

METHODS: A mixed-methods approach was employed, with data collected from reputable sources such as the Ministry of Health and non-governmental organizations. Analytical methods included statistical software (SPSS and R) using ARIMA modeling and Joinpoint regression to assess trends, as well as the Augmented Dickey-Fuller test to ensure data stationarity.

RESULTS: The analysis revealed that from 1980 to 2021, suicide rates in Iran declined, although women generally had higher rates than men. The highest suicide rate was observed in the age group of 20-24 years. Time series models predict that suicide rates will increase in the next five years, influenced by factors such as economic crises and the COVID-19 pandemic.

CONCLUSION: This study shows that despite an overall decline in suicide rates, certain groups remain at high risk. The predicted increase in suicide rates highlights the need for urgent interventions to address economic and psychological issues, as well as reduce the social stigma associated with mental health. A detailed analysis of data is crucial for developing effective preventive strategies to reduce suicide rates in Iran.

PMID:40954457 | DOI:10.1186/s12963-025-00416-7

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Epidemiological trends and determinants of suicide in Iran with insights into the COVID-19 period, 1980-2021

Popul Health Metr. 2025 Sep 15;23(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s12963-025-00416-7.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Suicide is a significant global health issue, responsible for 759,028 deaths worldwide in 2019. In Iran, suicide rates have fluctuated significantly from 1980 to 2020, influenced by social, economic, and psychological factors. Adolescents and young adults, in particular, face high suicide rates related to financial problems and mental health disorders. This study aims to identify trends in suicide changes in Iran and the factors influencing them.

METHODS: A mixed-methods approach was employed, with data collected from reputable sources such as the Ministry of Health and non-governmental organizations. Analytical methods included statistical software (SPSS and R) using ARIMA modeling and Joinpoint regression to assess trends, as well as the Augmented Dickey-Fuller test to ensure data stationarity.

RESULTS: The analysis revealed that from 1980 to 2021, suicide rates in Iran declined, although women generally had higher rates than men. The highest suicide rate was observed in the age group of 20-24 years. Time series models predict that suicide rates will increase in the next five years, influenced by factors such as economic crises and the COVID-19 pandemic.

CONCLUSION: This study shows that despite an overall decline in suicide rates, certain groups remain at high risk. The predicted increase in suicide rates highlights the need for urgent interventions to address economic and psychological issues, as well as reduce the social stigma associated with mental health. A detailed analysis of data is crucial for developing effective preventive strategies to reduce suicide rates in Iran.

PMID:40954457 | DOI:10.1186/s12963-025-00416-7

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Comparison of echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging measurements of systolic function during breast cancer therapy

BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2025 Sep 15;25(1):653. doi: 10.1186/s12872-024-04262-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To compare echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) measurements of global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global mitral annular plane displacement in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. The study focused on assessing the mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) in echocardiography (ECHO) and atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD) in CMR as parameters for global mitral annular plane displacement.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Consecutive breast cancer patients (n = 16) were evaluated with ECHO and CMR before, during and after chemotherapy. Echocardiographic GLS was analyzed using two different software programs (TomTec and QLab). Non-parametric Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test, Bland-Altman plots and Friedman’s test were used for the statistical analyses. A statistical significance level of all analyses was set at a p-value < 0.05. The study was approved by National Ethics Review Board in Sweden (DNR 2019-04588).

RESULTS: No significant differences were found in GLS at baseline between ECHO (median: QLab – 20.4% and TomTec – 22.0%) and CMR (median: -19.5%) (ECHO(QLab) vs. CMR p = 0.733 and ECHO(TomTec) vs. CMR p = 0.093). After chemotherapy significant reductions in GLS were measured with ECHO(TomTec) (median: -20.1, p = 0.035) and CMR (median GLS: -17.4%, p = 0.004). At baseline ECHO-MAPSE (median: 16.8 mm) and CMR-AVPD (median: 14.0 mm) differed significantly (p = 0.015). However, no significant reduction of MAPSE (median: 15.5 mm) or AVPD (median: 13.8 mm) were detected after chemotherapy (p = 0.076 respective p = 0.706). Though ECHO-MAPSE showed a tendency to decrease after chemotherapy, CMR-AVPD did not.

CONCLUSION: ECHO(TomTec)-GLS is as compatible to detect early signs of cardiotoxicity as CMR. ECHO-MAPSE could be more sensitive than CMR-AVPD to detect subtle changes during chemotherapy.

PMID:40954455 | DOI:10.1186/s12872-024-04262-7

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Comparison of echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging measurements of systolic function during breast cancer therapy

BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2025 Sep 15;25(1):653. doi: 10.1186/s12872-024-04262-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To compare echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) measurements of global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global mitral annular plane displacement in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. The study focused on assessing the mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) in echocardiography (ECHO) and atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD) in CMR as parameters for global mitral annular plane displacement.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Consecutive breast cancer patients (n = 16) were evaluated with ECHO and CMR before, during and after chemotherapy. Echocardiographic GLS was analyzed using two different software programs (TomTec and QLab). Non-parametric Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test, Bland-Altman plots and Friedman’s test were used for the statistical analyses. A statistical significance level of all analyses was set at a p-value < 0.05. The study was approved by National Ethics Review Board in Sweden (DNR 2019-04588).

RESULTS: No significant differences were found in GLS at baseline between ECHO (median: QLab – 20.4% and TomTec – 22.0%) and CMR (median: -19.5%) (ECHO(QLab) vs. CMR p = 0.733 and ECHO(TomTec) vs. CMR p = 0.093). After chemotherapy significant reductions in GLS were measured with ECHO(TomTec) (median: -20.1, p = 0.035) and CMR (median GLS: -17.4%, p = 0.004). At baseline ECHO-MAPSE (median: 16.8 mm) and CMR-AVPD (median: 14.0 mm) differed significantly (p = 0.015). However, no significant reduction of MAPSE (median: 15.5 mm) or AVPD (median: 13.8 mm) were detected after chemotherapy (p = 0.076 respective p = 0.706). Though ECHO-MAPSE showed a tendency to decrease after chemotherapy, CMR-AVPD did not.

CONCLUSION: ECHO(TomTec)-GLS is as compatible to detect early signs of cardiotoxicity as CMR. ECHO-MAPSE could be more sensitive than CMR-AVPD to detect subtle changes during chemotherapy.

PMID:40954455 | DOI:10.1186/s12872-024-04262-7

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Assisting clinical diagnosis with interpretable fuzzy probabilistic modelling

BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2025 Sep 15;25(Suppl 3):330. doi: 10.1186/s12911-025-03183-5.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40954454 | DOI:10.1186/s12911-025-03183-5

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

A Statistical Learning-Based Clustering Model With Features Selection to Identify Dyslexia in School-Aged Children

Dyslexia. 2025 Nov;31(4):e70013. doi: 10.1002/dys.70013.

ABSTRACT

The multi-deficit framework employed to identify dyslexia requires statistical learning-based models to account for the complex interplay of cognitive skills. Traditional methods often rely on simplistic statistical techniques, which may fail to capture the heterogeneity inherent in dyslexia. This study introduces a model-based clustering framework, employing finite mixtures of contaminated Gaussian distributions, to better understand and classify dyslexia. Using data from a cohort of 122 children in Poland, including 51 diagnosed with dyslexia, we explore the effectiveness of this method in distinguishing between dyslexic and control groups. Our approach integrates variable selection techniques to identify clinically relevant cognitive skills while addressing issues of outliers and redundant variables. Results demonstrate the superiority of multivariate finite mixture models, achieving high accuracy in clustering and revealing the importance of specific variables such as Reading, Phonology, and Rapid Automatized Naming. This study emphasises the value of the multiple-deficit model and robust statistical techniques in advancing the diagnosis and understanding of dyslexia.

PMID:40954446 | DOI:10.1002/dys.70013