Tag: pubmed

BMC Gastroenterol. 2024 Dec 18;24(1):463. doi: 10.1186/s12876-024-03557-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated that systemic immune inflammation index (SII) has a positive relationship with hepatic steatosis. However, it is lack of system evidence for the correlation between SII and hepatic fibrosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationships between SII and hepatic steatosis or hepatic fibrosis.

METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was performed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4), NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) and hepamet fibrosis score (HFS) were the indicators for hepatic fibrosis; fatty liver index (FLI), NAFLD liver fat score (LFS) and Framingham steatosis index (FSI) were the indicators for hepatic steatosis. Pearson’s test, generalized linear model (GLM) and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to analyze associations of SII with hepatic fibrosis and hepatic steatosis.

RESULTS: A total of 21,833 participants were enrolled in the study. Pearson’s test and GLM revealed that there were negative relationships between SII and hepatic fibrosis (FIB-4, NFS and HFS), while positive relationships between SII and hepatic steatosis (FLI, LFS and FSI). The corresponding β (95%CI) of SII and hepatic fibrosis were – 0.35(-0.46, -0.24), -0.67(-0.71, -0.63) and – 0.10(-0.12, -0.09), respectively. The corresponding β (95%CI) of SII and hepatic steatosis were 6.12(4.75, 7.50), 0.22(0.12, 0.31) and 0.27(0.20, 0.34), respectively. Statistically significant non-linear association were found in SII with hepatic fibrosis and hepatic steatosis in RCS model (all P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: There was a negative significant association between SII and hepatic fibrosis, while a positive significant association between SII and hepatic steatosis.

PMID:39695411 | DOI:10.1186/s12876-024-03557-5

BMC Nephrol. 2024 Dec 18;25(1):461. doi: 10.1186/s12882-024-03914-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Heart failure often leads to hospitalization and can directly impact other organs, such as the kidneys. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and is associated with worse outcomes. However, there are limited data on the magnitude of AKI among hospitalized ADHF patients in resource-limited settings such as Ethiopia. This study sought to determine the prevalence of AKI and the factors associated with AKI in ADHF patients in Northwest Ethiopia.

METHOD: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Gondar Hospital in Northwest Ethiopia from June 1 to September 30, 2022. A total of 239 participants were included using consecutive sampling. Demographic information was collected through patient interviews, and relevant clinical and laboratory data were obtained from the patients’ medical records. The data were analyzed using STATA version 15.0. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify independently associated factors of AKI among patients with ADHF. A P value < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.

RESULTS: The overall prevalence of AKI in ADHF patients was 25.1% (CI = 19.98-31.03). Older age ≥ 60 years(AOR = 2.95, 95%CI:1.34-6.21), diabetes mellitus (AOR = 9.55,95%CI:2.68-33.99),Hypertension (AOR = 2.34,95% CI:1.08-5.07), sepsis (AOR = 2.13,95%CI:1.09-4.8), use of loop diuretics (AOR = 4.03,95%CI:1.86-8.69) and previous history of AKI (AOR = 11.56,95%CI:4.02-33.26) were independently associated with the occurrence of AKI among ADHF patients.

CONCLUSION: A quarter of the patients admitted with ADHF developed AKI. Older age; comorbid diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or sepsis; a previous history of AKI; and the use of loop diuretics were associated with the occurrence of AKI. Such clinical characteristics available at hospital admission can be used to identify patients at increased risk for developing AKI.

PMID:39695409 | DOI:10.1186/s12882-024-03914-2

BMC Gastroenterol. 2024 Dec 18;24(1):459. doi: 10.1186/s12876-024-03515-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The worldwide incidence of constipation is exhibiting an increasing trend. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between dietary components and the occurrence of constipation.

METHODS: Sociodemographic characteristics data of participants experiencing constipation and those without were sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 2000-2010; n = 1903; ≥20 years). Sociodemographic characteristics of participants experiencing constipation and those without were sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Data from two 24-hour dietary recalls (n = 1696; participants aged 20 years and older) were utilized to compare the dietary intake of various food components between constipated and non-constipated individuals, as well as to investigate the relationship between food component consumption and constipation. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated using an adjusted model. The distribution of the data was illustrated through a histogram. Based on this distribution, vegetable intake was categorized into five groups (0-0.733, 0.733-1.47, 1.47-2.2, 2.2-2.93, 2.93-8) for the purpose of subgroup analysis.

RESULTS: The median age of individuals experiencing constipation is 41.5 years, with women accounting for 65.3% and men accounting for 34.7%. The consumption of fruits (constipated people = 0.79 cups/d; non-constipated people = 0.93 cups/d), vegetables (1.21 cups/d; 1.59 cups/d), dairy (1.68 cups/d; 1.55 cups/d), and oils (15.31 g/d; 19.61 g/d) is below the recommended dietary intake for both groups. After multivariable adjustment, vegetable consumption (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.59-0.92, p = 0.008) and female (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.38-3.24, p < 0.001) were identified as significant predictors of constipation. The subgroup analysis concerning vegetable consumption indicated a statistically significant result within Group (2.93,8 ] [OR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.069-0.57].

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the research suggest that it is advisable for individuals to consume a minimum of 2.93 cups of vegetables daily. Furthermore, females exhibit a significantly elevated risk of experiencing constipation. However, no association has been identified between constipation and either age or educational level.

PMID:39695406 | DOI:10.1186/s12876-024-03515-1

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2024 Dec 18;24(1):820. doi: 10.1186/s12884-024-07030-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Maternal morbidity and mortality remain critical health concerns globally. As a result, reducing the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is part of goal 3 in the global sustainable development goals (SDGs), and previously, it was an important indicator in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Therefore, identifying high-risk groups during pregnancy is crucial for decision-makers and medical practitioners to mitigate mortality and morbidity. However, the availability of accurate predictive models for maternal mortality and maternal health risks is challenging. Compared with traditional predictive models, machine learning algorithms have emerged as promising predictive modelling methods providing accurate predictive models.

METHODS: This work aims to explore the potential of machine learning (ML) algorithms in maternal risk level prediction using a nationwide maternal mortality dataset from Oman for the first time. A total of 402 maternal deaths from 1991 to 2023 in Oman were included in this study. We utilised principal component analysis (PCA) in the ML algorithms and compared them to the results of model performance without PCA. We employed and compared ten ML algorithms, including decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Naïve Bayes (NB), Extreme Gradient Boosting (xgboost), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Quadratic Discriminant Analysis (QDA), Logistic Regression (LR), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Different metrics, including, accuracy, sensitivity, precision, and the F1- score, were utilised to assess Model performance.

RESULTS: The results indicated that the RF model outperformed the other methods in predicting the risk level (low or high) with an accuracy of 75.2%, precision of 85.7% and F1- score of 73% after PCA was applied.

CONCLUSIONS: We applied several machine learning models to predict maternal risk levels for the first time using real data from Oman. RF outperformed the other algorithms in this classification problem. A reliable estimate of maternal risk level would facilitate intervention plans for medical practitioners to reduce maternal death.

PMID:39695398 | DOI:10.1186/s12884-024-07030-9

BMC Med Res Methodol. 2024 Dec 18;24(1):304. doi: 10.1186/s12874-024-02424-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Medical record abstraction (MRA) is a commonly used method for data collection in clinical research, but is prone to error, and the influence of quality control (QC) measures is seldom and inconsistently assessed during the course of a study. We employed a novel, standardized MRA-QC framework as part of an ongoing observational study in an effort to control MRA error rates. In order to assess the effectiveness of our framework, we compared our error rates against traditional MRA studies that had not reported using formalized MRA-QC methods. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the MRA error rates derived from the literature with the error rates found in a study using MRA as the sole method of data collection that employed an MRA-QC framework.

METHODS: A comparison of the error rates derived from MRA-centric studies identified as part of a systematic literature review was conducted against those derived from an MRA-centric study that employed an MRA-QC framework to evaluate the effectiveness of the MRA-QC framework. An inverse variance-weighted meta-analytical method with Freeman-Tukey transformation was used to compute pooled effect size for both the MRA studies identified in the literature and the study that implemented the MRA-QC framework. The level of heterogeneity was assessed using the Q-statistic and Higgins and Thompson’s I² statistic.

RESULTS: The overall error rate from the MRA literature was 6.57%. Error rates for the study using our MRA-QC framework were between 1.04% (optimistic, all-field rate) and 2.57% (conservative, populated-field rate), 4.00-5.53% points less than the observed rate from the literature (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: Review of the literature indicated that the accuracy associated with MRA varied widely across studies. However, our results demonstrate that, with appropriate training and continuous QC, MRA error rates can be significantly controlled during the course of a clinical research study.

PMID:39695394 | DOI:10.1186/s12874-024-02424-x

BMC Nephrol. 2024 Dec 18;25(1):455. doi: 10.1186/s12882-024-03870-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The relationship between serum klotho level and albuminuria is unknown in middle-aged and elderly participants without diabetes mellitus (DM). Therefore, we will investigate the association between serum klotho level and albuminuria in middle-aged and elderly participants without DM.

METHODS: Participants (aged 40-79) were from the five continuous cycles (2007-2016) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Multiple logistic regression was performed to investigate the association between serum klotho level and albuminuria.

RESULTS: 9217 participants were included in the present study. 47.6% of the participants were male. The average age of the overall participants was 56.3 years (40-79 years). Overall, 823 participants with albuminuria were identified. After adjusted confounders (age, gender, marital status, ethnicity, family income to poverty ratio, education, body mass index, smoke, charlson comorbidity index, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotonin receptor blocker, and estimated glomerular filtration rate), participants with a high serum klotho level had a decreased risk for albuminuria. Compared with the lowest serum klotho level (Tertile 1), participants in Tertile 2 (odds ratio [OR] 0.83, 95% CI 0.70-0.99, P = 0.044) and Tertile 3 (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.63-0.91, P = 0.003) had a lower risk of albuminuria (P for trend = 0.002). The stratified analysis showed that serum klotho level was still negatively associated with albuminuria in the subgroups, and statistically significant interactions were not observed in the subgroups (all P values for interactions > 0.05, except for the hypertension subgroup).

CONCLUSIONS: In middle-aged and elderly participants without DM, a high serum klotho level is associated with a decreased risk of albuminuria. In the future, the mechanism of the interaction between klotho and albuminuria needs to be elucidated to find new treatment targets for individuals without DM who suffer from albuminuria.

PMID:39695385 | DOI:10.1186/s12882-024-03870-x

Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2024 Dec 18:10499091241308883. doi: 10.1177/10499091241308883. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Background: Patients with primary brain tumors navigate a distinct illness trajectory, characterized by an uncertain prognosis, a rapid decline in physical functioning, and a significant deterioration in the quality of life. These unique challenges underscore the importance of our research in understanding and addressing the needs of these patients. Methods: The EORTC QLQ C30 & EORTC BN 20 questionnaires assessed the quality of life and symptom burden in patients with primary brain tumors. The scores were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Results: 100 patients – 61 males and 39 females-were included with radiological or histopathological diagnoses of primary brain tumours. Seizures (38%) was the most common presenting symptom, followed by headache (18%), loss of consciousness (13%), focal neurological deficit (9%), and blurring of vision (8%). The mean quality of life at baseline was 78.29, with a standard deviation of 9.67 on a scale of 0 to 100, and the brain tumor-specific symptom burden score was 46.9, with a standard deviation of 17.95 on a scale of 0 to 100. There was a significant difference in the global health status score between the first and third visits at 3 months (P value = .03). Conclusion: Despite the aggressive and often incurable nature of primary brain tumors, there is hope in the form of palliative care. By addressing unmet symptoms, uncertainties about the future, and social functioning, palliative care can significantly improve the quality of life of these patients.

PMID:39695347 | DOI:10.1177/10499091241308883

Int J Obes (Lond). 2024 Dec 18. doi: 10.1038/s41366-024-01698-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the age-dependent association between adiposity and risk of dementia in the Chinese population is unclear. We aim to disentangle the association of mid- and late- life adiposity with subsequent dementia risk in Chinese adults and compare ageing trajectories of adiposity between those with/out dementia.

METHODS: Dementia was ascertained based on cognitive batteries and the Activity of Daily Living Scale in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Adiposity was measured by body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WtHR). We estimated hazard ratio (HR) of adiposity for incident dementia by age groups (i.e. 50-64, and ≥65). Age trajectories of adiposity measures were fitted using a mixed-effect model in a case-control design. The interaction terms of age and dementia were included to examine the difference between cases and controls.

RESULTS: Hazard ratios (HRs) for incident dementia in two age groups (50-64 and ≥65) were estimated in 13,355 participants. Raised mid-life BMI was associated with incident dementia (HR (95% CI): overweight 1.33 (1.03 to 1.73), obesity 1.63 (1.17 to 2.28)). Mid-life abdominal obesity was associated with incident dementia (WC 1.45 (1.15 to 1.84), WtHR 1.44 (1.08 to 1.94)), accounting for ≤24.2% of dementia cases. Among participants developing dementia, adiposity measures were higher in mid-life and declined faster with age, compared to those remaining dementia-free. Late-life adiposity was not associated with dementia risk.

CONCLUSION: Mid-life but not late-life adiposity was associated with dementia incidence in China. Accelerated weight loss in prodromal dementia is likely to explain the mixed evidence on adiposity and dementia risk in the Chinese population. Rapid decline in adiposity in later life may be an early sign. Reducing mid-life adiposity in the population may mitigate the future dementia burden.

PMID:39695279 | DOI:10.1038/s41366-024-01698-x

Sci Total Environ. 2024 Dec 17;958:178066. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178066. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Aerobiology in the tropics is still a science in development, where very little about their dynamics is known. Airborne pollen concentrations in the city of Medellín (Colombia) were measured using a Hirst-type sampler and correlated with meteorological parameters (relative humidity, rainfall, temperature, wind speed, and wind direction, this last analyzed by using circular statistics). Sampling was conducted over three years (2019-2022), and pollen grains were detected on all days of sampling, at higher concentrations than expected for tropical conditions. The highest pollen concentrations were observed from December to January and July-August, corresponding to the months with the lowest rainfall, which sheds light about how La Niña phenomena influenced pollen concentrations during the sampling period. The Main Pollen Season (MPS) ranged in length from 277 to 342 days. The highest intra-diurnal peaks pollen concentrations occurred around noon, whilst something very different and rarely reported occurs with Cecropia, which is much more abundant at night, from 20:00 to 1:00 h. Circular statistics revealed statistically significant wind direction patterns from SW, matching the same intra-diurnal pollen variations. This work helps to complete the blurred situation of the Aerobiology in the Neotropics and the dynamics of particles in the tropical atmosphere, being a first step towards the construction of pollen calendars to help pollen sufferers to mitigate symptoms.

PMID:39693665 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178066

J Craniofac Surg. 2024 Dec 18. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000011008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

It is important to investigate the changes in the masseter muscle, one of the chewing muscles, in epilepsy patients and to determine whether epilepsy can be effectively predicted on muscle. The aim of this study is to measure masseter muscle thickness, circumference and cross-sectional area in individuals with epilepsy and healthy individuals. This study was performed with 128 individuals (64 epilepsy patients and 64 healthy subjects) aged between 18 to 59 years. The mean cross-sectional area, thickness and circumference determined by measuring both of the masseter muscles were using cone beam computed tomography. The mean right masseter muscle cross-sectional area varied across age groups in epilepsy individuals (P=0.020). Significant differences were observed in the right masseter muscle circumference among age groups in epilepsy individuals (P=0.003). Significant differences were observed in the mean among age groups in epilepsy individuals (P=0.004). Statistically significant differences were observed in the mean right masseter muscle cross-sectional area between sexes in healthy individuals (P<0.001). Similarly, significant differences were observed in the mean right masseter muscle thickness between sexes in healthy individuals (P<0.001). Significant differences were observed in the mean left masseter muscle cross-sectional area between sexes in healthy individuals (P<0.001). Although jaw joint’s muscular dislocations are common, the masseter muscle, which has a very strong function in masticatory movements, is very important in terms of location, neighbourhood and clinical aspects. For this reason, our study examining the masseter muscle morphometric measurements in the epileptic and healthy population using cone beam computed tomography provides important information and normative data.

PMID:39693628 | DOI:10.1097/SCS.0000000000011008