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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Development and Content Validity of a Disability Self-Management Questionnaire for Hispanic Older Adults

P R Health Sci J. 2023 Dec;42(4):304-310.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: There is no Spanish-language instrument for assessing the self-management strategies used by older adults with physical function disabilities to manage the difficulties that can occur in daily living activities. This study aimed to design and test the content validity of a Spanish version of the newly developed Self-Management of Function in Daily Living Activities Questionnaire (SF-DLAQ).

METHODS: A methodological study, guided by the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model, was conducted to develop the SF-DLAQ. Stage 1 focused on designing the questionnaire, doing so using qualitative data obtained from 24 older adults and obtained from 10 existing scales that measure the self-management of chronic conditions. Stage 2 focused on expert judgement, which consisted of validating the questionnaire with 8 experts in aging using an item-level content validity index (I-CVI), a scale-level CVI (S-CVI), and the kappa statistic.

RESULTS: All the scores that were attained in stage 2 were favorable, with those of the I-CVI for clarity ranging from 0.09 to 1.0 and those of the I-CVI for relevancy, the S-CVI, and the kappa all being 1.0.

CONCLUSION: The scale and item validity for the SF-DLAQ, Spanish version, has been demonstrated but should be confirmed with further testing.

PMID:38104287

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Tobacco Use and Depression: A Hidden Epidemic among Smokers 18 Years and Older, Puerto Rico, 2018-2020

P R Health Sci J. 2023 Dec;42(4):298-303.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: According to the literature, depression and tobacco use are closely linked. This study’s main objectives were to provide the first population-based epidemiological profile of smokers with depression (SWD) who were 18 years and older and living in Puerto Rico (PR) from 2018 to 2020 and identify any statistically significant differences between SWD and smokers without depression (SWOD).

METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out using PR Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (PRBRFSS) data (2018-2020). Univariate analysis was performed to obtain an epidemiological profile of smokers who had depression. Likewise, using bivariate analysis, SWD and SWOD were compared to identify statistically significant differences in terms of chronic conditions, risk factors, and quit attempts.

RESULTS: Depression prevalence among smokers 18 years and over in PR from 2018-2020 was 23.7%. Smokers with depression were more likely to be physically inactive (P < .001), overweight or obese (P < .001), have arthritis (P < .001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P < .001), asthma (P < .001), high cholesterol (P < .001), hypertension (P < .001), coronary heart disease (P < .001), diabetes (P < .001), stroke (P < .001), and heart attack (P < .001) compared with SWOD. Likewise, SWD made more quitting attempts in the past year than did SWOD (P < .001).

CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that SWD should be targeted in any health-based tobacco-control efforts to develop evidence-based strategies to reduce or eliminate tobacco use in this same population.

PMID:38104286

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Evaluating Alterations in Breast Cancer Patients after Recovery Via A PET/CT-Assisted Metabolomics Approach

P R Health Sci J. 2023 Dec;42(4):276-282.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is a mortal disease that causes many deaths, especially in women. Improved therapies could contribute positively to survival rates. Metabolomics is an important tool for monitoring the alterations of several metabolites in clinical cases. This study aimed to develop a metabolomics model to observe (via mass spectroscopy) metabolic alterations in patients who suffered from breast cancer (BC), both before and after their recovery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Grades 1 and 2 invasive ductal carcinoma patients were evaluated based on their positron emission tomography/computed tomography results. Fourteen patients who had fully recovered from BC were subjected to metabolomics analysis. Plasma samples were extracted and analyzed via quadrupole time-of-flight mass tandem spectroscopy. A chemometrics analysis was performed in order to determine the statistically significant metabolites. All the metabolites were annotated via the mummichog algorithm.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: According to the data analysis, glucose, ornithine, phenyalanine, some vitamins, and metabolites in the fatty acid metabolism were statistically altered after recovery of each patient.

CONCLUSION: Untargeted metabolomics studies can be used to understand the etiopathogenesis of breast cancer, finding new biomarkers and alterations of metabolic pathways. After the tumor burden was removed, homeostasis was restored and the concentration of several metabolites began to normalize. This study elucidated the effects of breast cancer at the molecular level.

PMID:38104283

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Are tube fill volumes below 90% a rejection criterion for all coagulation tests?

Lab Med. 2023 Dec 16:lmad108. doi: 10.1093/labmed/lmad108. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Rejected samples lead to prolonged turnaround time and delayed diagnosis and treatment of patients. This study was conducted to determine minimum acceptable sample volume in Sarstedt brand coagulation tubes to reduce high sample rejection rate.

METHODS: Blood samples were drawn from 20 participants (10 healthy volunteers and 10 patients receiving oral anticoagulant) into coagulation tubes. Six samples were taken from each participant, with tube fill volumes of 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, and 50%. Prothrombin time (PT), active partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and fibrinogen tests were analyzed.

RESULTS: According to quality performance specifications, the tube fill volume must be at least 70% for PT and aPTT and 50% for fibrinogen. There was no statistical difference in samples from healthy volunteers for PT, aPTT, and fibrinogen tests when the minimum tube fill volume was at least 80%, 90%, and 50%, respectively. These percentages were 50%, 70%, and 60%, respectively, in patients receiving oral anticoagulant.

CONCLUSIONS: Sarstedt tubes meet quality standard specifications at a 70% fill rate for PT and aPTT and a 50% fill rate for fibrinogen. Comprehensive studies with larger populations are needed to accept these values as sample acceptance criteria for the laboratory.

PMID:38104249 | DOI:10.1093/labmed/lmad108

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Preoperative Systemic Immune-Inflammatory Index as a Predictive Biomarker for Lower Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis after Breast Cancer Surgery: Stratified Nursing Intervention to Reduce Incidence

Med Sci Monit. 2023 Dec 17;29:e942087. doi: 10.12659/MSM.942087.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND Lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (LEDVT), a common postoperative breast cancer complication, depends on multiple factors, such as systemic inflammation and immune status. We assessed the preoperative systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) as a LEDVT risk predictor and did stratified nursing intervention based on it. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 552 patients who underwent breast cancer surgery from January 2019 to May 2020. Univariate and multivariate methods were used to screen independent risk factors for postoperative LEDVT, and effects of risk stratification and nursing intervention on the validation cohort were observed. RESULTS A total of 46 patients (8.3%) developed postoperative LEDVT. Compared with the control group, the LEDVT group had older age, higher proportion of menopause, higher preoperative Autar score, SII, and plasma D-dimer level, lower albumin level, and later postoperative pathological stage, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed SII, plasma D-dimer, and menopause were independent predictors of postoperative LEDVT. ROC curve analysis showed SII had the strongest predictive ability, with an AUC of 0.714. Subsequently, 126 patients in the validation set were stratified according to the preoperative SII score, and intensified nursing intervention was implemented for high-risk patients, resulting in a significant reduction in the incidence of LEDVT (3.3% vs 8.3%, P=0.046). CONCLUSIONS Preoperative SII level can be used as an independent risk predictor of postoperative LEDVT in breast cancer patients. Applying it for risk stratification and implementing intensified nursing intervention for high-risk patients can significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative LEDVT.

PMID:38104239 | DOI:10.12659/MSM.942087

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Development and internal validation of a clinical prediction model for spontaneous abortion risk in early pregnancy

Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2023 Dec 15;79:100318. doi: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2023.100318. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and internally validate a prediction model for estimating the risk of spontaneous abortion in early pregnancy.

METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 9,895 pregnant women who received prenatal care at a maternal health facility in China from January 2021 to December 2022. Data on demographics, medical history, lifestyle factors, and mental health were collected. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to develop the prediction model with spontaneous abortion as the outcome. The model was internally validated using bootstrapping techniques, and its discrimination and calibration were assessed.

RESULTS: The spontaneous abortion rate was 5.95% (589/9,895) 1. The final prediction model included nine variables: maternal age, history of embryonic arrest, thyroid dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome, assisted reproduction, exposure to pollution, recent home renovation, depression score, and stress score 1. The model showed good discrimination with a C-statistic of 0.88 (95% CI 0.87‒0.90) 1, and its calibration was adequate based on the Hosmer-Lemeshow test (p = 0.27).

CONCLUSIONS: The prediction model demonstrated good performance in estimating spontaneous abortion risk in early pregnancy based on demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors. Further external validation is recommended before clinical application.

PMID:38103265 | DOI:10.1016/j.clinsp.2023.100318

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

A theoretical stability of mixed convection 3D Sutterby nanofluid flow due to bidirectional stretching surface

Sci Rep. 2023 Dec 16;13(1):22400. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-49798-4.

ABSTRACT

Host (base) fluids are unable to deliver efficient heating and cooling processes in industrial applications due to their limited heat transfer rates. Nanofluids, owing to their distinctive and adaptable thermo-physical characteristics, find a widespread range of practical applications in various disciplines of nanotechnology and heat transfer equipment. The novel effect of this study is to determine the effects of mixed convection, and activation energy on 3D Sutterby nanofluid across a bi-directional extended surface under the impact of thermophoresis diffusion and convective heat dissipation. The flow equations are simplified in terms of partial differential equations (PDEs) and altered to non-dimensional ODEs by implementing classical scaling invariants. Numerical results have been obtained via the bvp4c approach. The physical insights of crucial and relevant parameters on flow and energy profiles are analysed through plotted visuals. Some factors have multiple solutions due to shrinking sheets. So stability analysis has been adapted to analyses stable solutions. Graphical representations demonstrate the reliability and accuracy of the numerical algorithm across a variety of pertinent parameters and conditions. A comparison between existing results and previously published data shows a high degree of compatibility between the two datasets. The present study extensively explored a multitude of practical applications across a diverse spectrum of fields, including but not limited to gas turbine technology, power generation, glass manufacturing, polymer production, wire coating, chemical production, heat exchangers, geothermal engineering, and food processing.

PMID:38104222 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-49798-4

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

No evidence of genetic causality between diabetes and osteonecrosis: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis

J Orthop Surg Res. 2023 Dec 16;18(1):970. doi: 10.1186/s13018-023-04428-7.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine whether diabetes mellitus is causally associated with osteonecrosis.

METHOD: Using publicly accessible genome-wide association study statistics, a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was carried out. In order to determine whether diabetes has a causal effect on osteonecrosis and whether osteonecrosis has a causal effect on diabetes, we extracted six date on diabetes in Europeans from IEU OpenGWAS and GWAS Catalogue and osteonecrosis in Europeans from FinnGen. We then evaluated the data using inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger regression, weighted median, weighted mode, and simple mode. The results’ stability and dependability were then evaluated using sensitivity analysis and heterogeneity analysis. Finally, meta-analysis is used to further confirm if there is a relationship between diabetes and osteonecrosis.

RESULTS: When diabetes was used as an exposure factor, MR-Egger regression showed that directional fold product was unlikely to bias the results. Cochran’s Q test showed only minor heterogeneity in a few data sets. Multidirectional tests Egger-intercept, MR-PRESSO and funnel plots for most data did not show multidirectional and asymmetry at the gene level. Most of the IVW results showed no causal relationship between diabetes mellitus and osteonecrosis. The results of meta-analysis of IVW methods further confirmed the absence of a causal relationship. Inverse MR analysis also showed no causal relationship between osteonecrosis and diabetes.

CONCLUSION: Results of bidirectional MR analysis show no evidence of causal relationship between diabetes and osteonecrosis.

PMID:38104164 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-023-04428-7

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Risk factors of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Sci Rep. 2023 Dec 16;13(1):22381. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-49978-2.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the frequency and features of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and evaluate the association of DAH with the features. A total of 943 patients with SLE were categorized into two groups: 896 patients without DAH and 47 patients with DAH. The demographic data, clinical and laboratory findings, and SLE disease activity index 2000 of all patients were statistically analyzed. The DAH frequency in patients with SLE was 4.98%, and the mortality rate of DAH was 42.55%. The clinical features with statistical differences between the two groups were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression, and the results suggested that shorter disease duration [odds ratio (OR): 0.972, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.946, 0.998], younger age (OR: 0.867, 95% CI 0.764, 0.984), moderate (OR: 25.949, 95% CI 3.316, 203.065) or severe (OR: 24.904, 95% CI 2.675, 231.859) anemia, abnormally elevated levels of urine protein (OR: 10.839, 95% CI 1.351, 86.938) and serum creatinine (OR: 14.534, 95% CI 5.012, 42.142), interstitial lung disease (OR: 6.569, 95% CI 2.053, 21.021), and infection (OR: 8.890, 95% CI 3.580, 22.077) were independent risk factors for the occurrence of DAH in patients with SLE. Moderate or severe anemia was highly suggestive of DAH.

PMID:38104153 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-49978-2

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Epidemiological and clinical profile of pediatric hepatitis B virus infections in Wuhan: a retrospective cohort study

BMC Pediatr. 2023 Dec 16;23(1):636. doi: 10.1186/s12887-023-04460-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a substantial public health safety concern drawing considerable attention in China and globally. The detection of HBV serological markers can enable the assessment of HBV infection and replication status in vivo and evaluate the body’s protection against HBV. Therefore, this study aims to identify the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of HBV infection in children to prevent and control HBV infection in Wuhan areas.

METHODS: We conducted an extensive retrospective cohort analysis of 115,029 individuals aged 0-18 years who underwent HBV serological markers detection for HBV infection in hospital between 2018 and 2021 using Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. We generated descriptive statistics and analysed HBV infection’s epidemiological and clinical characteristics between different sex and age groups.

RESULTS: The overall positive detection rates of HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, and HBcAb in all participants were 0.13%, 79.09%, 0.17%, 2.81%, and 5.82%, respectively. The positive rate of HBeAb and HBcAb in males was significantly lower than that in females (2.64% vs. 3.13%, 5.56% vs. 6.29%) (P < 0.05). Twenty-two distinct HBV serological expression patterns were revealed. Among them, 8 common expression patterns accounted for 99.63%, while the remaining 14 uncommon expression patterns were primarily observed in neonatal patients with HBV infection. There are no significant differences in serological patterns based on sex (P < 0.05). The overall HBV infection detection rate was 5.82% [range 5.68-5.95] and showed a declining yearly trend. The rate in females was higher than that in males 6.29% [6.05, 6.35] vs. 5.56% [5.39, 5.59]. The overall HBV diagnostic rate over 4 years was 0.20% [0.17, 0.22], and the rate declined yearly. The prevalence of acute infection was higher than that of other infection types before 2019, but the incidence of unclassified infection showed a significant upward trend after 2019.

CONCLUSIONS: While the overall HBV infection detection rate in children has decreased year by year, the infection rate remains high in children under one year and between 4 and 18 years. This continued prevalence warrants heightened attention and vigilance.

PMID:38104124 | DOI:10.1186/s12887-023-04460-w