Tag: statistics

J Patient Rep Outcomes. 2025 Apr 3;9(1):38. doi: 10.1186/s41687-025-00868-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients with hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT) suffer from several complaints and reduced quality of life (QoL), even if disease-specific biochemical parameters are within the target range. To be able to quantify symptoms in HypoPT patients, we recently developed a disease-specific questionnaire, the Hypoparathyroidism Patient Questionnaire with 28 items (HPQ28). The aim of this study was to find normative values for the HPQ28 in the German general population.

METHODS: We tasked an independent market and social research institute to obtain sociodemographic data and HPQ28 results from a representative sample of the German general population. The HPQ28 comprises five scales and three single items. The five scales indicate different areas of complaints: Pain and cramps (PaC) including five items, neurovegetative symptoms (NVS) including five items, loss of vitality (LoV) including six items, depression and anxiety (DaA) including five items, gastro-intestinal symptoms (GiS) including two items and two control items for depression. Three items were not attributable to any of the five scales: numbness and tingling in certain parts of the body (NT), troubled memory (TM), and racing heart (RH).

RESULTS: Mean age (± standard deviation) in the representative general population sample (n = 2506) was 49.5 ± 17.8 years, 51% were female. All scales and single items were affected by gender with women presenting significantly more complaints on every scale and single item in comparison to men (p < 0.01, Mann-Whitney U test). In addition, all scales and single items, except for GiS, were affected by age in males and females (p < 0.001, Spearman’s correlation). Regression analyses proved a linear trend in the different scores regarding age and gender (p < 0.05 except for age on the GiS scale).

CONCLUSIONS: We present data from the first application of the HPQ28 in a representative sample of the German general population. Almost all scales and single item of the HPQ28 were dependent on age and gender, with older individuals and females presenting a higher burden of complaints.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: DRKS, DRKS00027581. Registered 17th of January 2022, https//drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00027581.

PMID:40178746 | DOI:10.1186/s41687-025-00868-3

Lasers Med Sci. 2025 Apr 3;40(1):174. doi: 10.1007/s10103-025-04328-8.

ABSTRACT

Burn scars are significant consequence of thermal burn injuries, causing cosmetic concerns and potentially leading to symptomatic discomfort or functional limitations; therefore, continuous adoption of novel methods is warranted to improve outcomes. This study aims to assess and compare the effectiveness, safety, and satisfaction of fractional CO2 laser treatment alone versus its combination with oral pentoxifylline at a dosage of 400 mg twice daily for four months in patients with hypertrophic/keloid burn scars. In a assessor and analyst blinded randomized controlled trial, patients with hypertrophic/keloidal thermal burn scars were allocated into two intervention groups. Both groups underwent treatment with a fractional CO2 laser, while one group additionally received oral pentoxifylline at a dosage of 400 mg twice daily for four months. The assessment of scar improvement was performed using the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS) at baseline and during subsequent follow-up sessions. Significant improvements were noted within both groups, with mVSS scores decreasing from 7.73 to 4.73 in the CO2 laser group and from 7.36 to 3.91 in the combination therapy group (p < 0.001 for both). However, the between-group difference in mVSS score reduction was not statistically significant (p = 0.39). Confidence intervals for the mean change in mVSS scores from baseline to endpoint were [2.45, 3.10] for the CO2 laser group and [3.15, 3.85] for the combination therapy group. The combination therapy group also showed a more pronounced improvement in pigmentation subscore of mVSS and higher patient satisfaction rates. No adverse effects were reported in either group. Fractional CO2 laser with or without Pentoxifylline appears to be an effective and safe option for the improvement of hypertrophic/keloidal burn scars. Patient satisfaction seems to increase when the laser is combined with oral Pentoxifylline. Nevertheless, further studies involving larger patient cohorts are warranted to draw more robust conclusions.

PMID:40178694 | DOI:10.1007/s10103-025-04328-8

Clin Rheumatol. 2025 Apr 3. doi: 10.1007/s10067-025-07410-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in relieving sicca symptoms of SjD.

METHODS: A prospective, single-center, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted on SjD patients experiencing dry eyes and dry mouth. Forty-six patients were randomized and 27 completed the study (acupuncture, n = 15; sham, n = 12). Patients received either acupuncture or sham acupuncture (control) weekly for 8 weeks. Key outcomes, including Schirmer test (ST), corneal fluorescein staining score, tear film break-up time, Ocular Surface Disease Index, unstimulated whole salivary flow (UWSF), EULAR Sjögren’s Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), Xerostomia Inventory (XI) score, Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) score, and Challacombe scale, were measured at baseline, immediately after treatment, and 4 weeks later. Statistical analysis consisted of comparing outcomes between groups over time.

RESULTS: The acupuncture group exhibited significant improvement in total ESSPRI and ESSPRI dryness scores. The positive effects persisted for at least 4 weeks after the completion of treatment. Furthermore, the acupuncture group exhibited improvement over time in the ESSPRI fatigue domain, ESSPRI pain domain, OHIP-14, XI, UWSF, and ST. No other statistically significant differences were observed.

CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is effective in relieving dryness in SjD patients. Larger samples and longer observation periods are necessary to better understand the effectiveness of this intervention in SjD. (NCT04056221/ 18/02/2019). Key Points • Acupuncture is a low-cost method with few side effects • Acupuncture exerts a symptom-relieving effect in primary Sjögren’s disease patients.

PMID:40178679 | DOI:10.1007/s10067-025-07410-2

Neurogenetics. 2025 Apr 3;26(1):42. doi: 10.1007/s10048-025-00823-w.

ABSTRACT

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological afflictions worldwide, with one-third of patients exhibiting resistance to treatment. It has been speculated that the polymorphisms of the sodium channel alpha subunit 1 (SCN1A) gene are associated with both the occurrence of epilepsy and its resistance to treatment. The aim of this study is to systematically review the literature and conduct meta-analyses revealing the associations of the SCN1A polymorphisms with epilepsy and resistance to treatment. We conducted a search of Pubmed, Web of Science, and Scopus, and if more than two studies investigated a polymorphism, odds ratios for association with epilepsy and/or resistance to treatment were calculated in three allelic, homozygous, and recessive genetic models. The initial search yielded 4106 items, and a total of 64 articles met the final inclusion criteria. With respect to the occurrence of epilepsy, the rs2298771 polymorphism was revealed to be negatively associated in the recessive model, while the associations of other polymorphisms were not statistically significant. With regard to resistance to treatment, rs2298771 was revealed to be positively associated across all three models, and rs10167228 was positively associated in the allelic and homozygous models, but not the recessive model. Other polymorphisms were not shown to be associated with resistance to treatment. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the rs2298771 polymorphism had a significant and negative association with the occurrence of epilepsy. Furthermore, rs2298771 and rs10167228 polymorphisms had positive associations with resistance to treatment. Further studies are needed to explore these associations among other polymorphisms.

PMID:40178659 | DOI:10.1007/s10048-025-00823-w

Health Econ Rev. 2025 Apr 3;15(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s13561-025-00605-y.

ABSTRACT

The authors use county-level data to test whether an array of socioeconomic, demographic, political and religious variables explain COVID-19 vaccination rates. Results presented here build upon previous investigations of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in different contexts and are largely consistent with those findings. Background controls such as county’s percent male (+), median age (+), percent White (-), median household income (+), percent self-employed (-), and the percent with a college or higher education (+) explain county-level vaccination rates for COVID-19. Political affiliation (Percent Republican (-)) remains the strongest predictor in terms of overall statistical significance. The county’s percent Catholic (+) and percent Evangelical (-) are also very strong predictors, though in opposite directions. This analysis includes state-level fixed effects and several robustness checks.

PMID:40178642 | DOI:10.1186/s13561-025-00605-y

Surg Radiol Anat. 2025 Apr 3;47(1):113. doi: 10.1007/s00276-025-03619-7.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of complete type retrotransverse (RTF) and arcuate foramen (AF)’s in a large cohort using three-dimensional (3D) computed images (CT) and explore their correlation with each other.

METHODS: Between January 2023 and August 2024, all neck and cervical vertebrae CTs taken in our hospital were scanned retrospectively. It is noted the presence or absence of complete RTF and AF, laterality, gender, and age of those included in the study.

RESULTS: A total of 2000 patients were included in the study, with an equal distribution of females and males. The prevalence of complete AF was 6.4%, 10%, and 16.3% bilaterally, unilaterally, and in total. The prevalence of complete AF was 12% in females and 20.6% in males. The gender prevalence differences of bilateral AF were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The prevalence of complete RTF was 1.8%, 8.9%, and 10.6% bilaterally, unilaterally, and in total. The prevalence of complete RTF was 9.7% in females, and 11.6% in males. The prevalence differences between genders were insignificant (p = 0.173). The ipsilateral prevalence of complete AF and RTF was 0.2%, 0.2%, and 0.4%, respectively, bilateral, unilateral right, and unilateral left.

CONCLUSIONS: The complete AF and RTF prevalences in the study group were not uncommon. The prevalence of complete AF and RTF together is quite rare. Complete RTF is more common in elderly patients and on the left side, while complete AF does not show any difference in laterality and age, and is more common in males than in females.

PMID:40178635 | DOI:10.1007/s00276-025-03619-7

Childs Nerv Syst. 2025 Apr 3;41(1):150. doi: 10.1007/s00381-025-06810-8.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Paediatric brain tumours represent the most common solid malignancies in children, with extent of resection being a critical prognostic factor. Fluorescence-guided surgery using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is well-established for adult high-grade gliomas, but its efficacy and safety in paediatric populations remain unclear. This systematic review evaluates the utility of 5-ALA fluorescence-guided surgery in paediatric brain tumours and explores alternative fluorophores.

METHODS: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, analysing studies from MEDLINE and EMBASE published up to October 2024. Data on patient demographics, tumour fluorescence patterns, surgical outcomes, and adverse effects were extracted. Statistical analyses assessed fluorescence differences across tumour types and administration parameters.

RESULTS: Twenty-three studies, including 281 paediatric patients (mean age, 10 years), were analysed. The most common tumours included pilocytic astrocytomas (n = 45), medulloblastomas (n = 45), glioblastomas (n = 35), and ependymomas (n = 27). Strong fluorescence was observed more frequently in high-grade gliomas compared to low-grade gliomas (p < 0.00001), non-glioma tumours (p < 0.00001), and high-grade non-glioma tumours (p = 0.000485). Adverse effects were mostly transient; rare complications included transaminitis and dermatologic reactions.

CONCLUSION: 5-ALA fluorescence-guided surgery shows promise in the resection of high-grade gliomas in paediatric patients, improving intraoperative visualisation. However, limited fluorescence in low-grade and non-glioma tumours underscores the need for tumour-specific approaches. Emerging alternatives, such as fluorescein sodium and tozuleristide, offer potential advantages. Future research should focus on optimising 5-ALA dosing, refining timing protocols, and conducting robust prospective trials to establish efficacy and safety in paediatric populations.

PMID:40178625 | DOI:10.1007/s00381-025-06810-8

Curr Microbiol. 2025 Apr 3;82(5):228. doi: 10.1007/s00284-025-04198-x.

ABSTRACT

Biofertilizers are a sustainable biotechnological alternative for decreasing use of inorganic fertilizer. Some bacterial strains, such as Bacillus pumilus, can solubilize phosphates, making them available to crops such as potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Citlali). In this paper was studied the effect of Bacillus sp. strain Fo03, a phosphate solubilizer bacterial strain, on the growth promotion, production, and sprouting of potatoes under greenhouse conditions, compared with inorganic fertilizer. Five treatments were assayed: NPK 100% (T1), NK 100% (T2), Bacillus sp. strain Fo03, BP (T3), BP + NPK 50% (T4), and BP + NK 50% (T5). The parameters evaluated were plant height, fresh and dry weights, number of internodes, SPAD values, fresh weight of tubers, total number of tubers, number of tubers with diameters greater than or equal to 15 mm, length and width of sprouts. Treatments T1 and T4 showed a similarity in plant height (21.65 cm, 20.95 cm), number of internodes (12.42, 13.11), fresh weight (9.97 g, 5.53 g), and dry weight (1.87 g, 1.08 g), respectively. The tuber fresh weight (g), number of total tubers, tuber diameter ≥ 15 mm, and sprout width were statistically significant in T4 compared to the treatment with Bacillus sp. strain Fo03. The highlight result was the effect combined of Bacillus sp. strain Fo03 and the half dose of mineral fertilizer (NPK 50%) for having good yield of potato cultivation (growth, production, and sprouting), providing to farmers an alternative response for decreasing use of inorganic fertilizers. The use of Bacillus sp. strain Fo03 as biofertilizer may have a promising effect on the quality of potatoes, particularly in sprout length and width.

PMID:40178614 | DOI:10.1007/s00284-025-04198-x

Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2025 Apr 3. doi: 10.1007/s00213-025-06781-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, imposing a significant public health burden. While cannabis and opioids are widely used in cancer pain management, their potential for abuse and addiction has raised concerns regarding their long-term health effects, including possible associations with cancer risk. However, the relationship between substance use disorders (SUDs) and cancer susceptibility remains controversial. This Mendelian randomization (MR) study aimed to investigate the potential causal effects of cannabis use disorder (CUD) and opioids use disorder (OUD) on cancer vulnerability.

METHODS: We conducted a two-sample MR study using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies, including data from FinnGen and UK Biobank. The primary analytical approach was the inverse-variance weighted (IVW), complemented by a range of sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the findings.

RESULTS: IVW analysis identified a causal association between OUD and bladder cancer (OR = 1.040, 95% CI 1.004-1.078, P = 0.029, adj. P = 0.125), acute myeloid leukemia (OR = 0.931, 95% CI 0.885-0.978, P = 0.005, adj. P = 0.061) and ovarian cancer (OR = 0.937, 95% CI 0.891-0.984, P = 0.010, adj. P = 0.064). Sensitivity analysis yielded directionally consistent results. Reverse MR analysis provided no statistically significant evidence supporting a causal effect of these cancers on OUD (all P > 0.05). Additionally, no evidence of a significant causal relationship was observed between CUD and any cancer type (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a potential causal link between OUD and increased susceptibility to bladder cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, and ovarian cancer, warranting further investigation in larger, multi-ethnic population studies. These results contribute to the ongoing discourse on the long-term health impacts of substance use disorders and highlight the need for further research to elucidate their potential oncogenic effects.

PMID:40178608 | DOI:10.1007/s00213-025-06781-3

Abdom Radiol (NY). 2025 Apr 3. doi: 10.1007/s00261-025-04917-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence of abnormal pancreaticobiliary junction (APBJ) on Magnetic Resonance Cholangio-Pancreatography (MRCP) in patients with and without choledochal cyst (CDC), and study their clinico-radiological profile.

METHODS: We have retrospectively screened all MRCP studies (n = 13,482) done in our Radiology department over 18 months and documented the presence and type of APBJ (any length of extra-duodenal common channel) and CDC, other co-existing pancreaticobiliary abnormalities including complications.

RESULTS: Prevalence of APBJ was 0.5% (n = 67) with 77% of them showing CDC (52/67) while only 0.85% of patients without APBJ have CDC (p value < 0.0001). The most common type of CDC associated with APBJ was Todani Type I (86%) followed by type IV (14%). 31% of CDC patients had APBJ (52 out of 165) while the majority of patients with CDC (69%) did not have APBJ. Between the CDC (n = 52) and non-CDC (n = 15) subgroups of APBJ, there was statistically significant difference in the age (25 vs. 40 years, p value 0.003), gender, length of common channel (14.4 ± 6 mm vs. 10.6 ± 5 mm, p value 0.03), JSPBM type of APBJ and the risk of biliary malignancy (1.9% vs. 26.7%, p value 0.008, Odds ratio 13.8). Although idiopathic pancreatitis was also more common in the non-CDC subgroup, this difference was not statistically significant. There was no statistical correlation between the length of common channel and occurrence of CDC, biliary calculi, malignancy or pancreatitis.

CONCLUSION: Any length of common pancreaticobiliary channel outside the duodenal wall must be considered as APBJ; there is no correlation between the actual length of common channel and occurrence of its complications. The often overlooked and underdiagnosed subgroup of APBJ without biliary dilatation are 13.8 times more likely to develop biliary malignancy than the CDC group. We therefore suggest a necessary shift in surveillance strategies and advocate for routine screening of patients with APBJ for any biliary malignancy, even in the absence of CDC, and perhaps subject them to prophylactic cholecystectomy.

PMID:40178587 | DOI:10.1007/s00261-025-04917-9