Tag: statistics

BMC Health Serv Res. 2023 Nov 23;23(1):1287. doi: 10.1186/s12913-023-10284-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: While the number of medical images has increased substantially, the demand has outpaced access, resulting in long wait times in many countries. Long wait times are a key problem for patient safety and quality of care as they can result in prolonged suffering, delayed diagnosis and treatment, as well as poorer prognosis and loss of lives. Surprisingly, little is known about wait times for imaging services.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate wait times for specific imaging services in Norway and to compare wait times with the total number of examinations and their development over time.

METHODS: Data from the wait time registry at the Norwegian Directorate of Health from 2018 to 2021 as well as data on outpatient imaging provided by the Norwegian Health Economics Administration (HELFO) and in-patient data afforded by fourteen hospital trusts and hospitals in Norway were analysed. Data include the total number of imaging examinations according to the Norwegian Classification of Radiological Procedures (NCRP). Analyses were performed with descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: Wait times vary through the months of the year. Conventional X-ray (XR) had the shortest wait times (3.0-4.4 weeks), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) had the lengthiest (8.7-12.0 and 7.9-11.4 weeks respectively). The wait times were lengthiest during the summer and winter holidays. Variations in wait times were also found for specific examination types between Norway’s four public health regions. In addition, there was variation over time within the health regions. The wait times with the private health providers were substantially lower than with the public health providers. From 2018 to 2021, the wait time for MRIs increased by 6.6%, while the number of examinations (per 10,000) increased by 8.6%. Those regions with the highest number of examinations per 1,000 inhabitants per year had the lowest wait times.

CONCLUSION: Wait times for diagnostic imaging procedures varied with time, region, and modality in Norway from 2018 to 2021. Long wait times may entail many negative consequences for patients, professionals, and the healthcare system. Reducing long wait times is an obvious way to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of care.

PMID:37996873 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-023-10284-2

BMC Oral Health. 2023 Nov 23;23(1):915. doi: 10.1186/s12903-023-03653-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Lower third molars (L3M) are the last teeth to erupt in the oral cavity. Uneruption of these teeth still raises questions about its causes, in the literature (1) genetic factors, (2) dental lamina activity and, mainly, (3) insufficient growth and development of the bone bases are included. While the lack of space theory influenced by mandibular morphology and size of L3M was argued to be the main reason for L3M impaction, there is a limitation in the literature in examining such association using more accurate tomographic analysis obtained from CBCT. This work aimed to evaluate the relationship between mandibular morphology and the eruption of L3M.

METHODS: In this regard, 85 Cone Beam Computed Tomographies (CBCT), with 147 L3M, were selected from the archives of the Department of Surgery, Stomatology, Pathology and Radiology, Bauru School of Dentistry, obtained using an Accuitomo® Morita device and using the Dolphin Imaging 11.9 software. L3M eruption was related to linear measurements of jaw length (Co-Gn), retromolar space dimension (D2R), mesiodistal width of the L3M crowns, mandibular first molars (L1M) and mandibular canines (LC) and the angle mandibular (Ar-Go-Me). Independent samples t-test, chi-square tests and logistic regression were performed adopting a significance level of 5%.

RESULTS: The average mandible length of 116.446 mm + 6.415 mm, retromolar space of 11.634 mm + 2.385 mm, mesiodistal size of the L3M of 10.054 mm + 0.941 mm, sum of the mesiodistal widths of the L1M and LC of 15.564 mm + 1.218 mm and mandibular angle of 127.23° + 6.109. There was no statistically significant association between these factors and the eruption.

CONCLUSION: With the results obtained in this study, we conclude that the length and angle of the mandible, teeth size and dimension of the retromolar space are not associated with the L3M eruption.

PMID:37996868 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-023-03653-0

BMC Pulm Med. 2023 Nov 23;23(1):469. doi: 10.1186/s12890-023-02726-8.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Lower socioeconomic status has been identified as an emerging risk factor for health disparities, including lung cancer outcomes. Most research investigating these outcomes includes patients from formal lung cancer screening programs. There is a paucity of studies assessing the relationship between socioeconomic status and incidental lung nodules. This study aimed to investigate the association between socioeconomic status and the size of incidental lung nodules on initial presentation at an urban safety net hospital, which did not have a formal lung cancer screening program or incidental lung nodule program.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients with incidental lung nodules on CT chest imaging who were referred from primary care to a pulmonology clinic at a safety net hospital. Patients with incomplete nodule characteristics information were excluded. Data on demographics, comorbidities, smoking history, insurance type, immigration status, and geographical factors were collected. Less commonly studied determinants such as crime index, cost of living, and air quality index were also assessed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess relationships between nodule size and socioeconomic determinants.

RESULTS: Out of 3,490 patients with chest CT scans, 268 patients with ILNs were included in the study. 84.7% of patients represented racial or ethnic minorities, and most patients (67.8%) had federal insurance. Patients with non-commercial insurance were more likely to have larger, inherently higher-risk nodules (> 8 mm) compared to those with commercial insurance (OR 2.18, p 0.01). Patients from areas with higher unemployment rates were also less likely (OR 0.75, p 0.04) to have smaller nodules (< 6 mm). Patients representing racial or ethnic minorities were also more likely to have nodules > 8 mm (OR 1.6, p 0.24), and less likely to have nodules < 6 mm (OR 0.6, p 0.32), however, these relationships were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: This study found that lower socioeconomic status, indicated by having non-commercial insurance, was associated with larger incidental lung nodule size on initial presentation. While it is established that socioeconomic status is associated with disparities in lung cancer screening, these findings suggest that inequalities may also be present in those with incidental lung nodules. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and develop interventions to address these disparities in incidental lung nodule evaluation and improve outcomes.

PMID:37996867 | DOI:10.1186/s12890-023-02726-8

BMC Womens Health. 2023 Nov 23;23(1):622. doi: 10.1186/s12905-023-02776-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Breast self-examination (BSE) is considered one of the main screening methods in detecting earlier stages of breast cancer. It is a useful technique if practiced every month by women above 20 years considering that breast cancer among women globally contributed to 685,000 deaths in 2020. However, the practice of breast self-examination among healthcare professionals is low in many developing countries and it is not well known in Rwanda. Therefore, this research was intended to measure the level of breast self-examination practice and its associated factors among female healthcare professionals working in selected hospitals in Kigali, Rwanda.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 221 randomly selected female healthcare professionals in four district hospitals in Kigali, Rwanda. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used as data collection instrument. The predictor variables were socio-demographic and obstetrics variables, knowledge on breast cancer and breast self-examination as well as attitude towards breast cancer and breast self-examination. Sample statistics such as frequencies, proportions and mean were used to recapitulate the findings in univariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to identify statistically significant variables that predict breast self-examination practice. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence level were reported. P-value < 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.

RESULTS: Breast self-examination was practiced by 43.5% of female healthcare professionals. This prevalence is low compared to other studies. Attitude towards breast self-examination and breast cancer was the only predictor variable that was significantly associated with breast self-examination practice [AOR = 1.032; 95% CI (1.001, 1.065), p-value = 0.042]. However, number of pregnancy and number of children were not significantly associated with BSE practice in the multi-variate analysis. In addition, there was a positive linear link between knowledge and attitude, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.186 (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS: The breast self-examination practice among healthcare professionals was found to be low. Attitude towards breast cancer and breast self-examination was positively associated with BSE practice. Moreover, attitude and knowledge were positively correlated. This suggests the need for continuous medical education on breast self-examination and breast cancer to increase the knowledge & BSE practice level of female healthcare professionals.

PMID:37996866 | DOI:10.1186/s12905-023-02776-4

BMC Surg. 2023 Nov 23;23(1):358. doi: 10.1186/s12893-023-02247-5.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the impact of relaxing incisions on maxillofacial growth following Sommerlad-Furlow modified technique in patients with isolated cleft palate.

STUDY DESIGN: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

METHODS: A total of 90 participants, 60 patients with non-syndromic isolated soft and hard cleft palate underwent primary palatoplasty (30 patients received the Sommerlad-Furlow modified technique without relaxing incision (S.F^-RI group), and 30 received Sommerlad-Furlow modified technique with relaxing (S.F^+RI group) with no significant difference found between them regarding the cleft type, cleft width, and age at repair. While the other 30 were healthy noncleft participants with skeletal class I pattern as a Control group. The control group (C group) was matched with the patient groups in number, age, and sex. All participants had lateral cephalometric radiographs at least 5 years old age. The lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken with the same equipment by the same experienced radiologist while the participants were in centric occlusion and a standardized upright position, with the transporionic axis and Frankfort horizontal plane parallel to the surface of the floor. A well-trained assessor (S. Elayah) used DOLPHIN Imaging Software to trace twice to eliminate measurement errors. All the study variables were measured using stable landmarks, including 12 linear and 10 angular variants.

RESULTS: The mean age at collection of cephalograms was 6.03 ± 0.80 in the S.F^+RI group, 5.96 ± 0.76 in the S.F^-RI group, and 5.91 ± 0.87 in the C group. Regarding cranial base, the results showed no statistically significant differences between the three groups in S-N and S-N-Ba. While the S.F^+R.I group had a significantly shortest S-Ba than the S.F^-R.I & C groups (P = 0.01 & P < 0.01), but there was no statistically significant difference between S.F^-R.I & C groups (P = 0.71). Regarding the skeletal maxilla, there was no significant difference between the S.F^+R.I and S.F^-R.I groups in all linear measurements (N-ANS and S-PM) except Co-A, the S.F^+R.I group had significantly shorter Co-A than the S.F^-R.I & C groups (P = < 0.01). While the angular measurement, S.F^+R.I group had significantly less SNA angle than the S.F^-R.I & C groups (P = < 0.01). Regarding mandibular bone, there were no statistically significant differences in all linear and angular mandibular measurements between the S.F^+R.I and S.F^-R.I.groups. Regarding intermaxillary relation, the S.F^+R.I group had significant differences in Co-Gn-Co-A and ANB compared to the S.F^-R.I & C groups (P = < 0.01). While there was no statistically significant difference in PP-MP between the three groups.

CONCLUSION: As a preliminary report, the Sommerlad-Furlow modified technique without relaxing incisions was found to have a good maxillary positioning in the face and a satisfactory intermaxillary relationship compared to the Sommerlad-Furlow modified technique with relaxing incisions.

PMID:37996863 | DOI:10.1186/s12893-023-02247-5

BMC Pulm Med. 2023 Nov 23;23(1):468. doi: 10.1186/s12890-023-02766-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the clinical characteristics of children with plastic bronchitis (PB) caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and explored its risk factors.

METHODS: We prospectively analyzed clinical data of children with MP pneumonia (MPP) treated with fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FB). Patients were classified into a PB and non-PB group. General information, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, results of computed tomography scan, and FB findings were compared between groups. We conducted statistical analysis of risk factors for developing PB.

RESULTS: Of 1169 children who had MPP and were treated with FB, 133 and 1036 were in the PB and non-PB groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in sex, age, and incident season between groups (P > 0.05). The number of children in the PB group decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared with children in the non-PB group, those in the PB group had longer duration of hospitalization, increased levels of neutrophil (N), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST); lower levels of lymphocyte (L) and platelet (PLT); and higher incidence of lack of appetite, decreased breath sounds, single lobar infiltrate, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, mucosal erosion and/or necrosis, and bronchial embolization. L levels and pleural effusion were identified as risk factors in multivariate logistic regression.

CONCLUSIONS: Children with PB caused by MPP had a strong and local inflammatory response. L levels and pleural effusion were independent risk factors of PB with MPP in children. Our findings will help clinicians identify potential PB in pediatric patients for early and effective intervention.

PMID:37996853 | DOI:10.1186/s12890-023-02766-0

BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2023 Nov 23;23(1):270. doi: 10.1186/s12911-023-02376-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is associated with poor outcomes. The objective of this study was to apply a new machine learning (ML) method to establish prediction models of AKI after CABG.

METHODS: A total of 2,780 patients from two medical centers in East China who underwent primary isolated CABG were enrolled. The dataset was randomly divided for model training (80%) and model testing (20%). Four ML models based on LightGBM, Support vector machine (SVM), Softmax and random forest (RF) algorithms respectively were established in Python. A total of 2,051 patients from two other medical centers were assigned to an external validation group to verify the performances of the ML prediction models. The models were evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC), Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic, Bland-Altman plots, and decision curve analysis. The outcome of the LightGBM model was interpreted using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP).

RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative AKI in the modeling group was 13.4%. Similarly, the incidence of postoperative AKI of the two medical centers in the external validation group was 8.2% and 13.6% respectively. LightGBM performed the best in predicting, with an AUC of 0.8027 in internal validation group and 0.8798 and 0.7801 in the external validation group. The SHAP revealed the top 20 predictors of postoperative AKI ranked according to the importance, and the top three features on prediction were the serum creatinine in the first 24 h after operation, the last preoperative Scr level, and body surface area.

CONCLUSION: This study provides a LightGBM predictive model that can make accurate predictions for AKI after CABG surgery. The LightGBM model shows good predictive ability in both internal and external validation. It can help cardiac surgeons identify high-risk patients who may experience AKI after CABG surgery.

PMID:37996844 | DOI:10.1186/s12911-023-02376-0

World J Surg Oncol. 2023 Nov 24;21(1):364. doi: 10.1186/s12957-023-03261-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Metaplastic breast cancer(MBC) is a specific pathological type of invasive breast cancer. There are few studies related to MBC due to its rarity. This study aimed to analyse the differences in clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis between Metaplastic breast cancer and triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma (TN-IDC).

METHODS: We retrospectively compared the clinicopathological characteristics of patients diagnosed with MBC and TN-IDC at the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University between 2011 and 2020 in a 1:2 ratio. The log-rank test was used to compare the two groups’ disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). For MBCs, we performed univariate and multivariate analyses using the Cox proportional hazards model to determine the characteristics that impacted OS and DFS.

RESULTS: A total of 81 patients with MBC and 162 patients with TN-IDC were included in this study. At initial diagnosis, MBC patients had larger tumour diameters(P = 0.03) and fewer positive lymph nodes (P = 0.04). Patients with MBC were more likely to have organ metastases after surgery (P = 0.03). Despite receiving the same treatment, MBC patients had worse DFS (HR = 1.66, 95%CI 0.90-3.08, P = 0.11) and OS (HR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.03-3.81, P = 0.04), and OS was statistically significant. Positive lymph nodes at initial diagnosis were associated with worse DFS (HR = 3.98, 95%CI 1.05-15.12, P = 0.04) and OS (HR = 3.70, 95%CI 1.03-13.34, P = 0.04) for patients with MBC. The efficacy of platinum-based agents is insensitive for MBC patients receiving chemotherapy. In addition, patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy had worse DFS compared to patients treated with postoperative chemotherapy (HR = 3.51, 95%CI 1.05-11.75, P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: The clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of MBC and TN-IDC differ in many ways. Further studies are required to determine suitable treatment guidelines for patients with MBC.

PMID:37996840 | DOI:10.1186/s12957-023-03261-w

J Orthop Surg Res. 2023 Nov 24;18(1):895. doi: 10.1186/s13018-023-04379-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Thoracic myofascial pain syndrome is a clinical problem arising from the muscles and soft tissues of thoracic region, which include the mid and upper back area. Risk factors associated with myofascial pain syndrome are muscle overuse and repetitive strain, poor posture, trauma or injury, emotional and psychological stresses. The management of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) typically involves a multidimensional approach that focuses on relieving pain, reducing muscle tension, and improving muscle function. Bowen therapy and tennis ball technique are also recommended for treating myofascial pain syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of Bowen therapy and tennis ball technique on pain and functional disability in patients with thoracic myofascial pain syndrome.

METHODS: It was a randomized clinical trial conducted on thirty patients. It was carried out in physiotherapy outpatient department of D.H.Q Hospital, Kasur. Non-probability convenience sampling technique was used. Data collection was done from the patients of thoracic myofascial pain syndrome by using Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain and Pain Disability Questionnaire (PDQ) for functional disability. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups using computer generated random number method. Group A received Bowen therapy, and group B received tennis ball technique. Outcome measures were measured at baseline, after second week treatment session and after fourth week with three sessions in a week on alternate days. Data analysis was done by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.

RESULTS: There was significant difference between the mean values of NPRS and PDQ in both groups at baseline, second week and fourth week with p value < 0.05. The results indicated that both treatments were significant but Bowen therapy is more effective treatment than tennis ball technique. Within-group difference calculated with repeated-measure ANOVA indicated that there was significant difference from pre- to post-values of both groups.

CONCLUSION: This study concluded that Bowen therapy produced statistically significant and clinically relavant results for all the outcome measures.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: (IRCT20190717044238N7).

PMID:37996838 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-023-04379-z

BMC Health Serv Res. 2023 Nov 23;23(1):1292. doi: 10.1186/s12913-023-10323-y.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The German Innovation Fund supports projects that aim to improve healthcare through integration and intersectoral collaboration. As is typical for collaborative innovation projects, partners often pursue different objectives, which can create tensions and affect outcomes. The study aims to explore the causes and effects of tensions in integrated care projects and how frameworks, processes, and management should be designed to deal with tensions and achieve their productive effects.

METHODS: In an online survey we asked participants about the causes, effects, and management of tensions and their implications for integrated care projects (n = 58 completed questionnaires). We applied bivariate descriptive statistics to analyse the quantitative data.

RESULTS: Tensions between stakeholders, caused by deep-seated differences and the design of the project frameworks, often affect the course and outcome of innovative integrated care projects. However, through appropriate conflict management and negotiation processes such tensions can be managed constructively and lead to better outcomes.

DISCUSSION: Tension is usually seen as something unpleasant to be avoided and/or overcome. In fact, tensions can have positive effects, the importance of which remains little understood. Developing appropriate frameworks for managing and integrating different perspectives are key factors in unlocking the positive potential of tensions in integrated care projects.

PMID:37996835 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-023-10323-y