Tag: statistics

Perfusion. 2025 Apr 12:2676591251328856. doi: 10.1177/02676591251328856. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AimThis study evaluates the accuracy of a newly derived blood volume estimation formula based on the Boer equation for lean body mass, comparing its performance against the Nadler, Allen and Lemmens-Bernstein-Brodsky formulas.MethodsBlood volume estimation was evaluated using two datasets: the Retzlaff dataset, based on 78 healthy individuals, and the Allen dataset, derived from 81 subjects, two of European descent, the remainder Chinese ‘medical, nursing and pedagogic students, technicians, clerks and family members’ and one young Chinese physician. The formulas were compared using robust statistical methods, including the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test, permutation tests, Bland-Altman analysis, and Proportion Within Range.ResultsAcross all methods, the formula derived from the Boer equation showed the narrowest limits of agreement and smallest variability in most metrics, highlighting its potential as the most accurate and clinically useful tool for blood volume estimation. The Nadler formula also performed well but with slightly larger errors and bias.ConclusionThis study highlights the limitations of the Allen formula and demonstrates the superior performance of the Boer formula, which is derived from lean body mass. While the Allen formula performed well on its original dataset, it showed higher variability and less accuracy on more modern data. Both the Nadler and Boer formulas exhibited greater precision, with the Boer formula showing slightly lower variability. The study emphasizes the importance of using independent data sets for validation and addresses a critical gap in blood volume assessment by using robust techniques for analysis.

PMID:40221826 | DOI:10.1177/02676591251328856

BMC Pharmacol Toxicol. 2025 Apr 12;26(1):82. doi: 10.1186/s40360-025-00902-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Faricimab is a bispecific antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), offering a novel therapeutic approach for ocular diseases. However, its long-term safety profile remains under evaluation. This study analyzes its adverse events (AEs) using the U.S. FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER).

METHODS: AEs from FAERS (2004-2024) and JADER (2004-2024) were analyzed using disproportionality algorithms. Subgroup analyses assessed differences by age and sex. AE onset time was also assessed.

RESULTS: Several newly identified adverse events (AEs) were observed, including macular ischemia, keratic precipitates, and optic nerve injury, with strong safety signals detected in both FAERS and JADER. For instance, macular ischemia showed a high association with faricimab use (ROR = 260.46), suggesting a potential risk of retinal circulation impairment. Similarly, keratic precipitates (ROR = 739.65) indicate a notable inflammatory response. All these findings highlight the need for closer monitoring of ocular complications, particularly in high-risk patient groups. The FAERS database mainly reported retinal occlusive vasculitis, ocular vasculitis, and keratic precipitates, while JADER predominantly featured retinal occlusive vasculitis and retinal vascular occlusion. Sex-based differences indicated a higher risk of inflammatory AEs in females (e.g., uveitis and eye inflammation) and a greater incidence of retinal vascular events in males (e.g., retinal vasculitis). Age-related differences showed that older patients (≥65 years) had lower inflammatory AE risks but were more prone to optic nerve damage and retinal atrophy, while younger patients (<65 years) exhibited a higher risk of vitreous hemorrhage and cataracts.

CONCLUSIONS: This study identified previously unreported safety signals, suggesting the need for potential updates to faricimab’s safety labeling. Faricimab’s dual-target mechanism presents unique safety concerns. Clinicians should monitor ocular inflammation and vascular complications, particularly in younger males and Asian patients. Further studies using real-world data are needed to validate these findings.

PMID:40221797 | DOI:10.1186/s40360-025-00902-6

Cardiooncology. 2025 Apr 12;11(1):37. doi: 10.1186/s40959-025-00335-4.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Cardiotoxic, anthracycline-based therapies have high value in selected patients with breast cancer. We aimed to describe the effect of anthracycline plus taxane and single taxane chemotherapies on echocardiographic parameters in women with breast cancer.

METHODS: We retrospectively analysed data of 68 women (> 18 years old) treated for breast cancer in 2018-2021 in the Cardiology Outpatient Clinic of Semmelweis University, Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology. Cardiovascular medical history was collected at baseline and transthoracic echocardiography was completed at each visit. Also, we reviewed electronic medical records for other relevant medical information. Measured echocardiography parameters were assigned to five periods (0-14 days, then every half year and beyond day 545) based on the time since the first treatment. Trajectories of ejection fraction and diastolic function associated markers over the follow-up periods were analysed by linear mixed models.

RESULTS: Mean age of the anthracycline plus taxane group was 52.7 ± 14.1 years, of the single taxane group 55.2 ± 13.1 years. The mean anthracycline dose was equivalent to 240 mg/m² of doxorubicin. Overall pre-existing cardiovascular burden was low. Statistically significant changes were found only in the anthracycline plus taxane group: ejection fraction decreased mildly from 65.5 ± 3.1% at baseline to 62.1 ± 3.2% at 181-365 days (p = 0.007) while deceleration time decreased mildly from 227.9 ± 33.9 msec to 197.4 ± 29.4 msec at 15-180 days (p = 0.028). Both drops were only temporary and values neared baseline values over follow-up (p = NS vs. baseline). Other important determinants of ejection fraction were age and hypertension among the investigated risk factors.

CONCLUSION: Our study confirms the overall safety on cardiac function of both single taxane and anthracycline plus taxane chemotherapy, as we found no changes in echocardiographic parameters associated with single taxane therapy, while anthracycline plus taxane chemotherapy was associated with a temporary and clinically insignificant reduction of ejection fraction and deceleration time over 1.5 years of follow-up. Our study is limited by its retrospective nature and the low number of participants.

PMID:40221795 | DOI:10.1186/s40959-025-00335-4

Reprod Health. 2025 Apr 12;22(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s12978-025-02002-4.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Prior research suggested that liberation of abortion laws in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) was associated with fewer abortion complications and deaths. However, few studies have examined the association of abortion law liberalization with modern contraceptive use and fertility rates among women in SSA. In this study, we assessed the impact of Kenya’s 2010 abortion law liberalization on modern contraceptive use and number of recent births (births in the past 5 years ) among women of reproductive age in Kenya.

METHODS: Data from three rounds of the Demographic and Health Surveys (2003-2016) for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda were used for the analysis. We used the differences-in-differences estimator to assess the impact of the policy change in Kenya using Tanzania and Uganda as the control group. We performed multivariable logistic and Poisson regressions to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and adjusted prevalence rate ratios (aPRR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for modern contraceptive use and number of recent births respectively.

RESULTS: A weighted sample of 117,163 women aged 15-49 years was used for the analyses. Modern contraceptive use increased from 25.4% and 19.4% to 39.1% and 27.2% for the intervention and control groups, respectively, in the post-intervention period. In contrast, the mean number of recent births declined from 0.71 and 0.88 to 0.63 and 0.80 for the intervention and control group, respectively in the post-intervention period. We found that Kenya’s 2010 abortion law liberalization was associated with more people using modern contraception (aOR, 1.22; 95% CI 1.11, 1.34) and fewer recent births (aPRR, 0.95; 95% CI 0.91, 0.98).

CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that Kenya’s 2010 abortion law was surprisingly associated with higher use of modern contraceptives. Reforming restrictive abortion laws may indirectly improve use of contraceptives in Sub Saharan African countries.

PMID:40221794 | DOI:10.1186/s12978-025-02002-4

Int J Equity Health. 2025 Apr 12;24(1):101. doi: 10.1186/s12939-025-02468-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Integrated care services have been initiated in China for several years, yet there remains a dearth of substantial evidence and research elucidating the service’s efficacy, particularly in underdeveloped areas. This study aims to address this gap by evaluating the effectiveness of integrated care from the patients’ perspective, thereby offering practical strategies to improve service effectiveness and promote health equity within county medical alliances.

METHODS: The Patient Perceptions of Integrated Care (PPIC) and European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions-5 Levels (EQ-5D-5 L) scales were employed to gather information on patients’ perceptions of integrated care and their self-rated health status. A total of 1093 respondents from two pilot areas were selected for data collection. T-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were recruited, additionally, the study utilized multiple linear regression models to examine the specific impact of various factors on the effectiveness of integrated care services.

RESULTS: The average score for the effectiveness of integrated healthcare services from the patients’ perspective was 67.72 (SD = 14.443, n = 1093). Statistical analysis revealed that as the respondents’ age increased and their self-rated health declined, the PPIC scores showed an upward trend. Regression analysis found that factors such as age, education level, income, health status, and level of healthcare intervention significantly influenced PPIC scores. Overall, there is a trend where respondents with higher health needs tend to have higher perceptions of the service, while those with relatively higher socioeconomic status are more likely to provide lower ratings. Additionally, increasing the frequency and duration of healthcare interventions can improve respondents’ evaluations of the services.

CONCLUSIONS: This study analyzes the effectiveness of integrated services in China’s county-level medical alliance from the patients’ perspective. It finds progress in resource integration and efficiency but identifies limitations in implementation, particularly in balancing equity. Socio-economic factors continue to affect the fairness of service utilization and patient satisfaction. Constraints in finance, human capital, and technology hinder the provision of more targeted services for vulnerable groups. To promote health equity, future services need to focus more on key populations and provide more targeted services, accelerate the integration of information technology, and expand service coverage to address the diverse needs of marginalized communities.

PMID:40221792 | DOI:10.1186/s12939-025-02468-5

J Cardiothorac Surg. 2025 Apr 12;20(1):192. doi: 10.1186/s13019-025-03427-5.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Psychological factors are closely correlated with coronary heart disease, and gender discrepancies occurs in mental health after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome patients (ACS) are worth studying.

METHODS: This study collected data from patients aged ≥ 60 diagnosed with ACS who underwent PCI treatment within one week of admission to the Cardiovascular Department of Ji’an Central People’s Hospital between June 2021 and December 2022. The study group consisted of 113 female patients, whereas the control group consisted of 121 male patients. Baseline patient data, demography, and laboratory test results were collected. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and Self-rating depression scale (SDS) before PCI and at 1, 4, and 12 weeks post-procedure. Descriptive data are presented as x̄±s. Group comparisons for continuous variables were conducted using t-tests, while categorical data were analyzed using chi-square tests. Multiple group comparisons were conducted using analysis of variance.

RESULTS: There were no statistically significant disparities observed in baseline characteristics between these two groups. The assessment of SAS and SDS scores exhibited no statistically significant difference between the two groups before PCI; however, after the procedure, elderly female ACS patients demonstrated notably elevated SAS and SDS scores when contrasted with their elderly male ACS counterparts. Both cohorts manifested their highest SAS and SDS scores before PCI, with a gradual reduction in these scores after the procedure. Elderly female ACS patients experienced a statistically significant reduction in SAS and SDS scores at both 4- and 12 weeks post-PCI compared to their pre-PCI scores.

CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, elderly female ACS patients undergoing PCI are more susceptible to the manifestation of anxiety and depression symptoms compared to their elderly male counterparts.

PMID:40221788 | DOI:10.1186/s13019-025-03427-5

BMC Vet Res. 2025 Apr 12;21(1):263. doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04719-7.

ABSTRACT

Toxoplasma gondii stands as one of the most successful pathogens, capable of infecting nearly all warm-blooded species. It is estimated that up to 50% of human population might harbor Toxoplasmosis infections. One of the primary transmission routes is the consumption of tissue cysts from infected farm animals used for food production. Thus, controlling Toxoplasmosis in farm animals is of vital importance for human health and food safety. Selective breeding in farm animals, where available, could complement classical control measures like biosecurity measures, vaccination, and test-and-cull methods. This multidisciplinary approach will make the eradication of Toxoplasmosis more effective. For this purpose, we conducted four multi-locus genome-wide association (GWA) approaches to identify the polygenic factors underlying innate resistance to Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected sheep. Our findings indicate that 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), exhibiting varying degrees of statistical power, play a significant role in host immunity against T. gondii infection. We propose the genes containing these SNPs or located within 100 ± Kb of them (PLSCR5, EPHA3, DGKB, IL12B, CGA, WDR64, TMEM158, CLMP, and SIAE) as potential candidate genes. This study represents the first exploration of host genetic factors against Toxoplasmosis in livestock, utilizing the ovine paradigm as its foundation.

PMID:40221787 | DOI:10.1186/s12917-025-04719-7

Nutr J. 2025 Apr 12;24(1):58. doi: 10.1186/s12937-025-01118-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Meal skipping is poorly understood among adolescents in Southeast Asia. The study aimed to investigate the type of and any meal skipping prevalence, its associated factors (sociodemographic and protective) and associations between meal skipping types and dietary, mental, and various health risk behaviour outcomes among school adolescents in the Philippines.

METHOD: The 2019 Philippines Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), a nationally representative survey of teenagers aged 11 to 18 (mean age 13.8 years, Standard Deviation-SD = 1.5) that used a multistage sampling technique, provided the study’s data. In order to determine the variables associated with meal skipping (breakfast, lunch, dinner, any meal) and associations of meal skipping with six dietary indicators, four mental health indicators, and ten health risk behaviours, the study used bivariate and multivariable multinomial and binary logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: The past-month prevalence of most skipping breakfast was 37.1%, most skipping lunch 20.1%, most skipping dinner 10.8%, and any meal skipping 68.1%. Most of the students (89.1%) reported having been exposed to healthy eating classes in school, and 51.7% said that they cannot buy soft drinks in school. Female sex, older adolescents, lower socioeconomic status, not being religious, no school truancy, low or no peer and/or parental support were associated with meal (breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner) skipping. Exposure to skipping breakfast, lunch, dinner, or any meal increased the odds of low vegetable, soft drink, and fast-food intake, overweight, obesity, suicidal ideation, plan, attempt, psychological distress, sedentary behaviour, alcohol use, drug use, physical injury, poor hand, and oral hygiene, and not always wearing a seatbelt.

CONCLUSION: Almost seven in 10 adolescents skipped any meal in the past month. Sociodemographic and protective factors were associated with meal skipping. Exposure to meal skipping was associated with 15 out of 17 dietary, mental health, and other health risk behaviour outcomes. In order to lower various adverse health outcomes in adolescents, the results thus showed how important it is to improve in a regular meal pattern, particularly meal frequency and meal skipping. Interventions incorporating parental and peer engagement could be strengthened alongside school health education to effectively address meal skipping behaviours.

PMID:40221786 | DOI:10.1186/s12937-025-01118-4

BMC Health Serv Res. 2025 Apr 12;25(1):537. doi: 10.1186/s12913-025-12710-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Smart healthcare systems are expected to have a positive impact on addressing challenges in healthcare. However, the real-world adoption and widespread integration of Smart healthcare systems still face many barriers, and their clinical utility lacks empirical research with large sample sizes, particularly in rural areas. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a new smart healthcare system, the Health All-in-One Machines (HAMs), on improving the health services in rural areas of China.

METHODS: The data included health services information from 1,866 village clinics in Hainan, China, covering the period November 30, 2020, to April 30, 2023. The impact of Health All-in-One Machines on access to healthcare was measured using four outcome indicators: the number of patient visits, medical revenue, pharmaceutical revenue, and medical expense per patient. We conducted a three-phase interrupted time series study to explore the effects of the Health All-in-One Machines intervention on these indicators across two distinct periods: the second phase (26 weeks, adaptation period) and the third phase (74 weeks, full-scale implementation period).

RESULTS: The interrupted time-series analysis revealed that the Health All-in-One Machines intervention had no significant impact on outcome indicators comparing the pre-intervention period to the adaptation period. However, from the adaptation period to full implementation, significant impacts were observed. Specifically, notable level changes were observed: the number of patient visits increased by 37.85% (p < 0.01), medical revenue increased by 54.03% (p < 0.001), pharmaceutical revenue increased by 32.84% (p < 0.05), and medical expense per patient increased by 2.368 CNY (p < 0.001). Additionally, a significant trend change was observed in medical expense per patient, with a decrease of 0.15 CNY per week (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides empirical evidence of some positive changes in the Health All-in-One Machines intervention on the outcome indicators regarding the access to healthcare. Moreover, our analysis indicates that the Health All-in-One Machines intervention would at least take longer to take effect when implemented in large-scale rural healthcare institutions. The findings from this study provide insights for future delivery and policy making of Smart healthcare systems in rural areas.

PMID:40221780 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-025-12710-z

Harm Reduct J. 2025 Apr 12;22(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s12954-025-01207-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In 2017, Clark County, NV, implemented Public Health Vending Machines (PHVMs), an innovative approach to the dispensation of harm reduction supplies to persons who inject drugs (PWID), including sterile equipment and naloxone. Administrative data associated with PHVM operations can be valuable for understanding drug use behaviors among PWID. The current study examines the demographics and drug use profiles of PHVM registrants who completed the harm reduction survey between January 2021 to June 2023 with comparison to nation-wide trends.

METHODS: All registration forms for PHVM services in Clark County, NV, between 1/1/2021-6/30/2022 with a completed harm reduction survey were included for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize differences in applicant demographics as well as self-reported injection and non-injection drug use, risk behaviors, and interest in harm reduction services. Logistic regression models tested the association between types of injection drug use and overdose and risk behaviors.

RESULTS: A total of 637 PHVM applications with completed survey data were included for analysis. Respondents were an average of 36.1 ± 10.2 years old, 56.3% male sex, and 63.6% non-Hispanic White with 85.1% reporting injection drug use (IDU). Notably, greater proportions of respondents with histories of IDU also indicated non-injection drug administration, such as smoking and snorting. In the 3 months prior to registration, the majority of IDU respondents reported high risk drug use behaviors, including daily use, multiple injections per day, and opioid and stimulant co-use. Fentanyl was suspected in 62.1% of overdoses in the last 3 months. Compared to PWID using stimulants only, respondents with opioid and stimulant co-use had a higher likelihood of overdose (aOR 4.51; 95% CI 2.05, 11.1; p < 0.001) and re-using injection supplies (aOR 2.14; 95% CI 1.33, 3.48; p = 0.002). More opioid and stimulant co-use respondents were interested in treatment/detox and obtaining naloxone than those without co-use.

CONCLUSIONS: The demographics and drug use behaviors of the PHVM PWID are consistent with contemporaneous county and nation-wide. As the overdose crisis evolves, PHVM could be pivotal tools in the early detection of new risks to facilitate timely adaptation of harm reduction strategies to improve morbidity and mortality.

PMID:40221778 | DOI:10.1186/s12954-025-01207-x