Tag: statistics

BMC Health Serv Res. 2023 Apr 25;23(1):401. doi: 10.1186/s12913-023-09411-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a chronic non-communicable disease that causes a substantial economic burden on diabetic suffers and their households. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence, equity, and determinants of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) among households with people with diabetes in Northwest China.

METHODS: A total of 3,000 households were included in the 6th Health services survey in Gansu Province, China of which 270 households with people with diabetes. The equity of CHE was evaluated by concentration curve and concentration index (CI). We adopted the Pareto chart to analyze the main economic intervals of the occurrence of CHE. Finally, we combined the decision tree and logistic model and analyzed the determinants of the occurrence of CHE.

RESULTS: The incidence of CHE at 15%, 25% and 40% were 75.19%, 58.89% and 35.19%, respectively. CHE tended to occur in households with a lower economic level, with the phenomenon being more pronounced at Z = 40%. The Pareto chart showed that households in the group with an annual per capita income of 0-740 USD (0-5,000 Chinese Yuan) were most likely to experience CHE. Both decision tree and logistic models suggested that economic level, comorbidities, and small household size were potential risk factors. In addition, the decision tree model also suggested the interaction between the influencing factor of health checks in the past 12 months and the number of chronic diseases.

CONCLUSIONS: In summary, Households with people with diabetes were more likely to incur CHE. It is essential to focus on low- and middle-income households with people with diabetes, strengthen the management of patients with diabetes, and provide timely health interventions to reduce the occurrence of chronic comorbidity and the risk of CHE in households.

PMID:37098618 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-023-09411-w

Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2023 Apr 25;12(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s13756-023-01243-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Rapid emergence of multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus has resulted to difficulty in treatment of infections caused by such strains. The aim of this meta-analysis study was to determine the pooled prevalence of resistance of S. aureus to different antibiotics in Nigeria.

METHODS: Literature search for studies was done using Google scholar, PubMed, Science direct, and African Journal Online. The prevalence of S. aureus resistance to different antibiotics was evaluated using the meta-analysis proportion command in MedCalc software version 20.0 adopting a rand effect model. I² statistic and Egger test in MedCalc was used to evaluate the heterogeneity and the presence of publication bias among studies respectively.

RESULTS: A total of 40, 682 studies were retrieved through the database search of which 98 studies met the study inclusion criteria. Prevalence of resistance of S. aureus to different antibiotics ranges from 13 to 82%. Results showed a very high degree of resistance to penicillin G (82% [95% confidence interval (CI) 61%, 0.96%]), cloxacillin (77% [95% CI 64%, 88%]), amoxacillin (74% [95% CI 66%, 81%]), cefuroxime (69% [95% CI 51%, 85%]), ampicillin (68% [95% CI 53%, 81%]). Moderately resistance to erythromycin (47% [95% CI 40%, 53%]), chloramphenicol (47% [95% CI 37%, 56%]), methicillin (46% [95% CI 37%, 56%]), ofloxacin (24% [95% CI 18%, 31%]) and rifampicin 24% [95% CI 6%, 48%]). Low resistance was observed in vancomycin 13% (95% CI 7%, 21%). For each individual meta-analysis, high heterogeneity was observed with I² range (79.36-98.60%) at p-values ≤ 0.01). Egger’s tests for regression intercept in funnel plots indicated no evidence of publication bias.

CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis study established that S. aureus in Nigeria has developed resistance to commonly used antibiotics such as the beta-lactam class antibiotics, sulphonamides, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, and vancomycin. Hence it is imperative to develop programs to promote rational use of antimicrobial agents, infection prevention and control to reduce the incidence of antimicrobial resistance.

PMID:37098614 | DOI:10.1186/s13756-023-01243-x

Int J Immunogenet. 2023 Apr 25. doi: 10.1111/iji.12620. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Genetic variations in the solute carrier family 11 member 1 (SLC11A1) gene have been implicated in developing inflammatory disorders. However, it is still unclear whether such polymorphisms contribute to the pathogenesis of post-traumatic osteomyelitis (PTOM). Therefore, this study investigated the roles of genetic variations of the SLC11A1 gene (rs17235409 and rs3731865) in PTOM development in a Chinese Han cohort. The SNaPshot method was used for genotyping 704 participants (336 patients and 368 controls) for rs17235409 and rs3731865. Outcomes revealed that rs17235409 increased the risk of PTOM occurrence by dominant (p = .037, odds ratio [OR] = 1.44) and heterozygous models (p = .035, OR = 1.45), implying AG genotype as a risk factor for PTOM development. In addition, patients with AG genotype had relatively higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers than those with AA and GG genotypes, especially for the white blood cell count and C-reactive protein. Despite no statistically significant differences achieved, rs3731865 may reduce the PTOM susceptibility, suggested by the results of dominant (p = .051, OR = 0.67) and heterozygous (p = .068, OR = 0.69) models. In short, rs17235409 confers an elevated chance of developing PTOM, with AG genotype as a risk factor. Whether rs3731865 involves in the pathogenesis of PTOM requires further investigations.

PMID:37098591 | DOI:10.1111/iji.12620

BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2023 Apr 25;15(1):66. doi: 10.1186/s13102-023-00672-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In Latin American dance sport (LD), the shoulder girdle and the torso area are particularly stressed due to the dance style specific requirements. The aim of the study was to define differences in various dance specific upper body postures in Latin American dancers and to show gender-specific differences.

METHODS: Three dimensional back scans were performed in n = 49 dancers (28 f/21 m). Five typical trunk positions in Latin American dance (habitual standing and 4 dance specific positions, P1-P5) were compared with each other. Statistical differences were calculated using the Man-Whitney U test, Friedmann test, Conover-Iman test and a Bonferroni-Holm correction.

RESULTS: Significant gender differences were found in P2, P3 and P4 (p ≤ 0.01-0.001). In P5, the frontal trunk decline, the axis deviation, the standard deviation of the rotation, the kyphosis angle and the shoulder as well as the pelvic rotation were also significantly different. The comparison of the postures showed significant differences between postures 1-5 (p ≤ 0.01-0.001) in the males, (scapular height, right and left scapular angles and pelvic torsion). Similar results were observed for the female dancers, with only the parameters of frontal trunk decline with the lordosis angle as well as the right and left scapular angles being non-significant.

CONCLUSIONS: This study is an approach to better understand the involved muscular structures in LD. Performing LD changes the static parameters of the upper body statics. Further projects are needed to analyse the field of dance even more thoroughly.

PMID:37098589 | DOI:10.1186/s13102-023-00672-w

Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2023 Apr 25;21(1):37. doi: 10.1186/s12955-023-02118-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Quality of life questionnaires are often used in the assessment of rehabilitation of hearing-impaired patients with a cochlear implant. However, a prospective study with a systematic retrospective evaluation of the preoperative quality of life after surgery has not yet been conducted and may reveal a change in internal standards, such as a response shift, due to the implantation and hearing rehabilitation.

METHODS: The Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ) was used for assessing hearing related quality of life. It has three general domains (physical, psychological and social) and six subdomains. Seventeen patients were tested before (t₀) and retrospectively (then-test; pre-t₁) and acutely postoperative (post-t₁) after cochlear implantation. Observed changes, then-test changes, response shifts and effect sizes were calculated. Non-parametric statistical methods were used.

RESULTS: The NCIQ total score was 52.32 ± 18.69 (mean, standard deviation) for t₀, 59.29 ± 14.06 for pre-t₁ and 67.65 ± 26.02 for post-t₁ questioning. The observed change was statistically significant in all domains but in speech production. Response shift was statistically significant in the total score and in part of the domains. The effect sizes for the response shift were moderate (> 0.5) in the total score, psychological, social general scores and subdomains.

CONCLUSIONS: In this study we found that response shift does exist in adults with severe to profound hearing loss undergoing cochlear implantation. By advising the participants to deactivate the implant for the then-test, recall bias and noise were minimized. The clinical significance of the response shift was present in the total score and in the social and psychological domains.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was retrospectively registered with the German Clinical Trial Register, TRN DRKS00029467, on 07/08/2022.

PMID:37098588 | DOI:10.1186/s12955-023-02118-w

BMC Endocr Disord. 2023 Apr 25;23(1):91. doi: 10.1186/s12902-023-01350-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Alcohol consumption is known to be associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, the effect of alcohol intake on the incidence of T2DM remains controversial due to inconsistent results across studies. This study aimed to bridge the gap among available literature in order to better define the association between alcohol consumption and incidence of T2DM.

METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis using open-access data from a retrospective Japanese cohort of 15,464 participants who underwent regular medical examinations at Murakami Memorial Hospital. All participants underwent an initial exam including a questionnaire survey, physical examination, and blood biochemical testing to establish a at baseline. The primary outcome was new-onset T2DM during the follow-up exam. Statistical analysis was conducted using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier methods to assess the risk of alcohol consumption on T2DM.

RESULTS: During a median follow-up time of 5.39 years, 373 new-onset T2DM events were observed. The cumulative risk of T2DM incidence was higher in the heavy alcohol consumption group vs. the other three groups: none/minimal, light, and moderate consumption (log-rank test, P = 0.0002). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated incidental T2DM was independently associated with alcohol consumption. The adjusted hazard ratio relative to the none/minimal consumption group was as follows: 1.02 (95% confidence interval: 0.71, 1.48) for light consumption, 1.06 (0.71, 1.57) for moderate consumption, and 2.06 (1.30, 3.24) for heavy consumption (P value = 0.024). Subsequent subgroup analysis confirmed the association between alcohol consumption and T2DM incidence in men, but not in women.

CONCLUSION: Heavy alcohol consumption was independently associated with an increased risk of new-onset T2DM in Japanese men.

PMID:37098575 | DOI:10.1186/s12902-023-01350-1

BMC Psychiatry. 2023 Apr 25;23(1):285. doi: 10.1186/s12888-023-04785-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Children who experience mental health issues, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), experience significant distress and impairment at home, at school, and in the community. Without adequate care or prevention, this frequently results in adulthood-long distress and impairment at large societal costs. Determining the prevalence of ADHD cases among preschoolers as well as some associated maternal and child risk factors was the aim of this study.

METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study including 1048 preschool children aged 3-6 years was carried out in Tanta City, Gharbia Governorate. From March to April 2022, a proportionate stratified cluster random sample of them was picked. Data were gathered using a predesigned instrument that included sociodemographic information, family history, maternal and child risk factors, and the Arabic version of the ADHD Rating Scale IV questionnaire.

RESULTS: The prevalence of ADHD among preschoolers was 10.5%. The inattention type was the most common (5.3%), followed by the hyperactivity type (3.4%). There were statistically significant associations regarding positive family history of psychological and neurological symptoms (17.9% positive vs. 9.7% negative), family history of ADHD symptoms (24.5% positive vs. 9.4% negative), active smoking by the mother (21.1% positive vs. 5.3% negative), cesarean section delivery (66.4% positive vs. 53.9% negative), elevated blood pressure during pregnancy (19.1% positive vs. 12.4% negative), and history of taking drugs during pregnancy (43.6% positive vs. 31.7% negative). Significant child risk factors were: exposure to any source containing lead that causes slow poisoning (25.5% positive vs. 12.3% negative), children with cardiac health problems (38.2% positive vs. 16.6% negative), and hours spent by a child in front of the TV or mobile phone (any screens) per day (60.0% of those with positive screening spent more than 2 h/day vs. 45.7% negative).

CONCLUSION: In the Gharbia governorate, 10.5% of preschoolers suffer from ADHD. Significant maternal risk factors for ADHD included a positive family history of psychiatric and neurological symptoms, a family history of ADHD symptoms, active maternal smoking, caesarean section delivery, increased blood pressure during pregnancy, and a history of drug use during pregnancy. Youngsters who had cardiac health issues and who spent more time each day watching TV or using a mobile device (screen use) were at substantial risk.

PMID:37098572 | DOI:10.1186/s12888-023-04785-x

Parasit Vectors. 2023 Apr 25;16(1):143. doi: 10.1186/s13071-023-05756-7.

ABSTRACT

The use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic approaches has steadily increased in the field of parasitology in recent decades. The most recent large-scale technological modification of the PCR formula, also known as third-generation PCR, came in the form of digital PCR (dPCR). Currently, the most common form of dPCR on the market is digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). Unlike quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), the digital format allows for highly sensitive, absolute quantification of nucleic acid targets and does not require external standards to be included in the developed assays. Dividing each sample into thousands of compartments and using statistical models also eliminates the need for technical replicates. With unprecedented sensitivity and enforcement of binary endpoint reactions, ddPCR not only allows the use of tiny sample volumes (especially important when working with limited amounts of DNA) but also minimises the impact of variations in amplification efficiency and the presence of inhibitors. As ddPCR is characterised by excellent features such as high throughput, sensitivity and robust quantification, it is widely used as a diagnostic tool in clinical microbiology. Due to recent advances, both the theoretical background and the practical, current applications related to the quantification of nucleic acids of eukaryotic parasites need to be updated. In this review, we present the basics of this technology (particularly useful for new users) and consolidate recent advances in the field with a focus on applications to the study of helminths and protozoan parasites.

PMID:37098569 | DOI:10.1186/s13071-023-05756-7

BMC Palliat Care. 2023 Apr 25;22(1):49. doi: 10.1186/s12904-023-01175-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hospice and palliative care nursing (HPCN) in China is mainly available at public primary care institutions, where nursing homes (NHs) are rarely involved. Nursing assistants (NAs) play an essential role in HPCN multidisciplinary teams, but little is known about their attitudes towards HPCN and related factors.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate NAs’ attitudes towards HPCN with an indigenised scale in Shanghai. A total of 165 formal NAs were recruited from 3 urban and 2 suburban NHs between October 2021 and January 2022. The questionnaire was composed of four parts: demographic characteristics, attitudes (20 items with four sub-concepts), knowledge (nine items), and training needs (nine items). Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression were performed to analyse NAs’ attitudes, influencing factors, and their correlations.

RESULTS: A total of 156 questionnaires were valid. The mean score of attitudes was 72.44 ± 9.56 (range:55-99), with a mean item score of 3.6 ± 0.5 (range:1-5). The highest score rate was “perception of the benefits for the life quality promotion” (81.23%), and the lowest score rate was “perception of the threats from the worsening conditions of advanced patients” (59.92%). NAs’ attitudes towards HPCN were positively correlated with their knowledge score (r = 0.46, P < 0.01) and training needs (r = 0.33, P < 0.01). Marital status (β = 0.185), previous training experience (β = 0.201), location of NHs (β = 0.193), knowledge (β = 0.294), and training needs (β = 0.157) for HPCN constituted significant predictors of attitudes (P < 0.05), which explained 30.8% of the overall variance.

CONCLUSION: NAs’ attitudes towards HPCN were moderate, but their knowledge should be improved. Targeted training is highly recommended to improve the participation of positive and enabled NAs and to promote high-quality universal coverage of HPCN in NHs.

PMID:37098562 | DOI:10.1186/s12904-023-01175-8

Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. 2023 Apr 25;21(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s12969-023-00821-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Antibodies to histone have been associated in the adult literature with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) and drug induced lupus(DILE). Little data is available regarding the spectrum of pathology that antibodies to histone encompass in the pediatric population. Prior studies suggest an association with SLE, juvenile idiopathic arthritis(JIA), uveitis and linear scleroderma.

METHODS: Patient charts were reviewed that contained positive anti-histone antibody testing during a consecutive three year period. Patient diagnosis along with the presence of: anti-histone antibody titer, ANA, and the presence of other autoantibodies to SSA, SSB, Sm, RNP, dsDNA and chromatin were obtained. The frequency of SLE, JIA and DILE was further investigated in specific subsets.

RESULTS: 139 individual charts were reviewed containing 41 different diagnoses. The most common diagnosis was hypermobility arthralgia with 22 patients. The most frequent rheumatologic diagnosis was JIA(nonsystemic) with 19. 13 patients in this study were diagnosed with SLE and 2 with DILE. 18 patients had other autoantibody production, of these, 11 had SLE or DILE. Only one of 62 patients with a weak antihistone antibody titer(1.0-1.5) was diagnosed with SLE. When strong titers are present(> 2.5), the antihistone antibody test was associated with a greater than 50% incidence of an underlying rheumatologic disease and ten times higher incidence of SLE than a weak titer. In regards to the frequency of SLE, there was a statistically significant difference between weak and moderate titers and between weak and strong titers.

CONCLUSION: The presence of anti-histone antibody was observed in a variety of diagnoses in the pediatric population. Overall, the presence of anti-histone antibodies appears to have poor diagnostic utility for any specific condition. However, diagnostic utility for SLE does appear to improve with higher titers, when combined with other autoantibody positivity. Strength of titer did not appear to be a factor for JIA, but was the most frequently observed rheumatologic disease in this study.

PMID:37098546 | DOI:10.1186/s12969-023-00821-y