Tag: statistics

Rev Gastroenterol Peru. 2024 Jan-Mar;44(1):35-40.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and genotypic characteristics of anal papillomaviruses in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective cross-sectional observational study of HIV-positive MSM at Almenara General Hospital between September 2017 and December 2018. HPV detection and typing was performed using a polymerase chain reaction technique that evaluated 21 genotypes stratified according to oncogenic risk into six low-risk and fifteen high-risk.

RESULTS: we evaluated 214 HIV-positive MSM. The overall prevalence of anal infection by papillomavirus infection was 70% (150/214). 86% (129/150) were caused by high-risk genotypes, 79% (102/129) of them were affected by a two or more-papillomavirus genotype. The most frequent high-risk genotypes were HPV-16, 31% (46/150); HPV-52, 22% (33/150); HPV-33, 21% (31/150); HPV-58, 21% (31/150) and HPV-31, 20% (30/150). In addition, HPV-18 reached 7% (10/150). The most frequent low-risk genotypes were HPV-6, 30% (45/150) and HPV-11, 29% (44/150).

CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of anal papillomavirus infection in HIV-positive MSM is very high in the hospital investigated. Most of these infections occurs with high-risk oncogenic genotypes. Papillomavirus 16 was the most frequent high-risk genotype.

PMID:38734910

J Orthop Res. 2024 May 11. doi: 10.1002/jor.25876. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most successful procedures for end-stage knee osteoarthritis. To determine the effect of preoperative knee joint function on postoperative quality of life in patients undergoing primary TKA. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 208 patients in the orthopedics and traumatology clinic. Data were gathered with a personal information form, the Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and the EQ-5D-5L Quality Of Life Scale in the preoperative period, at postoperative 6th week, and at postoperative 3rd month. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation analysis, and simple linear regression analysis. The mean age of the patients was 65.65 ± 7.01 years. Most patients (86.1%) were women, and 51.4% underwent left TKA. OKS scores indicated poor knee function preoperatively and gradually increased at postoperative 6th week and 3rd month. Preoperative OKS was a significant predictor of postoperative knee joint function and quality of life. This study shows that preoperative knee joint function significantly affects postoperative knee joint function and quality of life. These results demonstrate the importance of the surgery timing and suggest that performing surgery earlier in functional decline may be associated with a better outcome.

PMID:38734879 | DOI:10.1002/jor.25876

Int J Clin Pharm. 2024 May 11. doi: 10.1007/s11096-024-01742-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Medication errors significantly compromise patient safety in emergency departments. Although previous studies have investigated the prevalence of these errors in this setting, results have varied widely.

AIM: The aim was to report pooled data on the prevalence and severity of medication errors in emergency departments, as well as the proportion of patients affected by these errors.

METHOD: Systematic searches were conducted in Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library from database inception until June 2023. Studies provided numerical data on medication errors within emergency departments were eligible for inclusion. Random-effects meta-analysis was employed to pool the prevalence of medication errors, the proportion of patients experiencing these errors, and the error severity levels. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using the I² statistic and Cochran’s Q test.

RESULTS: Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis gave a pooled prevalence of medication errors in emergency departments of 22.6% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 19.2-25.9%, I² = 99.9%, p < 0.001). The estimated proportion of patients experiencing medication errors was 36.3% (95% CI 28.3-44.3%, I² = 99.8%, p < 0.001). Of these errors, 42.6% (95% CI 5.0-80.1%) were potentially harmful but not life-threatening, while no-harm errors accounted for 57.3% (95% CI 14.1-100.0%).

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of medication errors, particularly those potentially harmful, underscores potential safety issues in emergency departments. It is imperative to develop and implement effective interventions aimed at reducing medication errors and enhancing patient safety in this setting.

PMID:38734867 | DOI:10.1007/s11096-024-01742-w

Int J Clin Pharm. 2024 May 11. doi: 10.1007/s11096-024-01739-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction has been positively associated with adherence which is expected to impact outcomes. Although vital for successful implementation of biosimilar medicines, little is known about the patient perspective of transition.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate clinical outcomes and patient experience of transitioning between reference adalimumab and a biosimilar (SB5).

METHOD: iBaSS is a phase IV single-centre, prospective, randomised, single-blind, cross-over study in adult subjects with Crohn’s disease. Participants, stable on adalimumab before consent, received 24 weeks of treatment with both reference adalimumab and SB5. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients maintaining baseline clinical status throughout each treatment period, with patients’ perspective of disease control and treatment satisfaction assessed as secondary outcomes.

RESULTS: A total of 112 participants, representative of the heterogeneous patient populations encountered in routine clinical practice, were enrolled. A similar proportion of participants maintained baseline clinical status through each treatment period: 81.8% with reference adalimumab and 79.5% with SB5. Patient reported outcomes (IBD-Control questionnaire (SB5: 15.5; reference adalimumab 15) and TSQM), adverse events and therapeutic drug monitoring remained consistent through both treatment periods, although a higher median injection pain VAS score was noted with SB5 (53/100 versus 6/100 with reference adalimumab). The number of switches undertaken in the study did not impact serum drug concentration or immunogenicity.

CONCLUSION: This study, mimicking real world adalimumab transition, demonstrates that patients undertaking brand transition can be expected to have consistent clinical and satisfaction outcomes.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTERED WITH EUDRACT: Number 2018-004967-30.

PMID:38734866 | DOI:10.1007/s11096-024-01739-5

Arch Dermatol Res. 2024 May 11;316(5):159. doi: 10.1007/s00403-024-02882-9.

ABSTRACT

As an increasing number of women pursue careers in dermatology, the structure and culture of training must reflect the evolving needs of dermatology residents. To examine perceived barriers to and perceptions of family planning amongst dermatology residents capable of becoming pregnant, evidence-based principles were employed to develop a 40-question survey for dermatology residents in ACGME-accredited training programs. A pilot study was conducted with the Harvard Combined Dermatology Residency Training Program residents before full-scale national electronic survey distribution from April to June 2023. Information was collected regarding factors influencing attitudes towards becoming pregnant during residency, as well as information regarding residency program family leave, fertility preservation, and lactation policies. Ultimately, 95 dermatology residents capable of becoming pregnant completed the survey. The majority (77.9%) of respondents reported intentionally delaying having children because of their careers, and 73.7% believed there is a negative stigma attached to being pregnant or having children during dermatology residency. Of respondents who had not yet attempted to become pregnant, 75.3% were concerned about the possibility of future infertility. Of the 60% of respondents considering fertility preservation options, 84.6% noted concerns about these procedures being cost-prohibitive on a resident salary. Only 2% of respondents reported that cryopreservation was fully covered through their residency benefits, while 20% reported partial coverage. Reported program parental leave policies varied considerably with 54.9%, 25.4%, 1.4%, and 18.3% of residents reporting 4-6 weeks, 7-8 weeks, 9-10 weeks, and 11 + weeks of available leave, respectively. Notably, 53.5% of respondents reported that vacation or sick days must be used for parental leave. Respondents reported lactation policies and on-site childcare at 49.5% and 8.4% of residency programs, respectively. The trends noted in the survey responses signal concerning aspects of family planning and fertility for dermatology residents capable of becoming pregnant. Residency family planning policies, benefits, and resources should evolve and homogenize across programs to fully support trainees.

PMID:38734865 | DOI:10.1007/s00403-024-02882-9

Mol Biol Rep. 2024 May 11;51(1):651. doi: 10.1007/s11033-024-09605-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a common genetically predisposed, inflammatory, and pruritic skin disorder that affects dogs globally. To date, there are no specific biomarkers available to diagnose CAD, and the current diagnosis is based on a combination of criteria including patient history, clinical signs, and exclusion of other relevant differential diagnoses.

METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the gene expression of phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), as well as miR-203 and miR-483 in plasma, in three groups: healthy dogs, CAD dogs, and other inflammatory pruritic skin diseases (OIPSD) such as pemphigus foliaceus, scabies, cutaneous lymphoma, and dermatophytosis. Our results showed that PDE4D gene expression in the CAD group is statistically higher compared to those in the healthy and OIPSD groups, suggesting PDE4D may be a specific marker for CAD. Nevertheless, no correlation was found between PDE4D gene expression levels and the lesion severity gauged by CAD severity index-4 (CADESI-4). We also showed that miR-203 is a generic marker for clinical dermatitis and differentiates both CAD and OIPSD inflammatory conditions from healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS: We show that PDE4D is a potential marker to differentiate CAD from non-atopic healthy and OIPSD while miR-203 may be a potential marker for general dermatologic inflammation. Future study of PDE4D and miR-203 on a larger scale is warranted.

PMID:38734860 | DOI:10.1007/s11033-024-09605-3

Insights Imaging. 2024 May 11;15(1):113. doi: 10.1186/s13244-024-01695-8.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the structural alterations, neovascularity, and elasticity of tendons and the relationship between elasticity and the Patient Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation score after undergoing US-guided fenestration or surgery in patients with chronic lateral elbow tendinopathy.

METHODS: Participants from the per-protocol population of a randomized trial conducted between October 2016 and June 2020 were included. The surgery and fenestration groups included 24 (mean age, 50 ± 7 years [standard deviation], 10 men) and 29 (47 ± 8 years, 18 men) participants, respectively. Ultrasound exams were performed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Statistical analyses included linear mixed effects and generalized equation estimation models.

RESULTS: Fenestration had no significant impact on tendon thickness (p = 0.46). Conversely, surgery significantly increased tendon thickness at 6 months (p < 0.0001) and remained elevated at 12 months (p = 0.04). Tendon echostructure exhibited a group effect (p = 0.03), indicating a higher proportion of pathological scores in the surgery group post-intervention compared to the fenestration group. Both groups showed a similar reduction in neovascularity from 6 to 12 months postintervention (p = 0.006). Shear-wave velocity increased in the fenestration group at 6 months (p = 0.04), while the surgery group experienced a nonsignificant decrease at 6 months, with some improvement at 12 months (p = 0.08). Changes in shear-wave velocity did not correlate with clinical outcome.

CONCLUSIONS: Fenestration and surgery reduced tendon neovascularity over time. Unlike surgery, fenestration did not impact tendon size while improving tendon echostructure and elasticity.

CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Fenestration and surgery equally alleviated symptoms and decreased tendon neovascularity in lateral elbow tendinopathy; however, fenestration did not alter tendon thickness and improved echostructure and shear-wave velocity, suggesting shear-wave velocity’s potential for quantitatively monitoring tendon elasticity during healing.

KEY POINTS: Reliable markers for monitoring healing response and informing treatment protocols in elbow tendinopathy are lacking. Fenestration and surgery reduced tendon neovascularity, while fenestration improved tendon echostructure and shear-wave velocity. Shear-wave velocity may provide quantitative measures to monitor tendon elasticity in response to treatment.

PMID:38734857 | DOI:10.1186/s13244-024-01695-8

Arch Dermatol Res. 2024 May 11;316(5):168. doi: 10.1007/s00403-024-02907-3.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:38734853 | DOI:10.1007/s00403-024-02907-3

Mol Biotechnol. 2024 May 11. doi: 10.1007/s12033-024-01170-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Chemoresistance is a key obstacle in the long-term survival of patients with locally and advanced lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). This study used bioinformatic analysis to reveal the chemoresistance of gene-neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) associated with LUAD. RNA sequencing data and LUAD expression patterns were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases, respectively. The GeneCards database was used to identify NETosis-related genes (NRGs). To identify hub genes with significant and consistent expression, differential analysis was performed using the TCGA-LUAD and GEO datasets. LUAD subtypes were determined based on these hub genes, followed by prognostic analysis. Immunological scoring and infiltration analysis were conducted using NETosis scores (N-scores) derived from the TCGA-LUAD dataset. A clinical prognostic model was established and analyzed, and its clinical applications explored. Twenty-two hub genes were identified, and consensus clustering was used to identify two subgroups based on their expression levels. The Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves demonstrated statistically significant differences in prognosis between the two LUAD subtypes. Based on the median score, patients were further divided into high and low N-score groups, and KM curves showed that the N-scores were more precise at predicting the prognosis of patients with LUAD for overall survival (OS). Immunological infiltration analysis revealed significant differences in the abundances of 10 immune cell infiltrates between the high and low N-score groups. Risk scores indicated significant differences in prognosis between the two extreme score groups. The risk scores for the prognostic model also indicated significant differences between the two groups. The results provide new insights into NETosis-related differentially expressed genes (NRDEGs) associated with chemotherapy resistance in patients with LUAD. The established prognostic model is promising and could help with clinical applications to evaluate patient survival and therapeutic efficiency.

PMID:38734842 | DOI:10.1007/s12033-024-01170-1

Metabolomics. 2024 May 11;20(3):54. doi: 10.1007/s11306-024-02127-w.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has surged to epidemic proportions and despite treatment administration/adherence, some individuals experience poorly controlled diabetes. While existing literature explores metabolic changes in type 2 diabetes, understanding metabolic derangement in poorly controlled cases remains limited.

OBJECTIVE: This investigation aimed to characterize the urine metabolome of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes in a South African cohort.

METHOD: Using an untargeted proton nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics approach, urine samples from 15 poorly controlled type 2 diabetes patients and 25 healthy controls were analyzed and statistically compared to identify differentiating metabolites.

RESULTS: The poorly controlled type 2 diabetes patients were characterized by elevated concentrations of various metabolites associated with changes to the macro-fuel pathways (including carbohydrate metabolism, ketogenesis, proteolysis, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle), autophagy and/or apoptosis, an uncontrolled diet, and kidney and liver damage.

CONCLUSION: These results indicate that inhibited cellular glucose uptake in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes significantly affects energy-producing pathways, leading to apoptosis and/or autophagy, ultimately contributing to kidney and mild liver damage. The study also suggests poor dietary compliance as a cause of the patient’s uncontrolled glycemic state. Collectively these findings offer a first-time comprehensive overview of urine metabolic changes in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and its association with secondary diseases, offering potential insights for more targeted treatment strategies to prevent disease progression, treatment efficacy, and diet/treatment compliance.

PMID:38734832 | DOI:10.1007/s11306-024-02127-w