Tag: statistics

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2023 May 8;2023:7486220. doi: 10.1155/2023/7486220. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate the adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with endometriosis and its influencing factors.

METHODS: A total of 188 endometriosis patients who gave birth at our hospital between June 2018 and January 2021 were screened for eligibility and included in the research group, while a control group of 188 nonendometriosis women who delivered at our hospital during the same period were also included as healthy controls. Pregnancy outcomes were the key outcome measure, and the relationship between endometriosis and unfavorable pregnancy outcomes, as well as the influencing factors, were explored.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the risk of adverse pregnancy events such as miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, and fetal death between the two groups (P > 0.05). The differences in hypertensive disorder in pregnancy, gestational diabetes, placental abruption, fetal growth restriction, and luteal support between the two groups also failed to reach the statistical standard (P > 0.05). The two groups significantly differed in terms of cesarean delivery, preterm delivery, and placenta previa (1.92 (95% CI 1.33-2.85), 2.43 (95% CI 1.05-5.58), and 4.51 (95% CI 1.23-16.50)) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Endometriosis is an influential factor in adverse pregnancy outcomes and results in a high risk of preterm delivery, placenta previa, and cesarean delivery in patients. Mutual interactions exist among adverse pregnancy outcomes and thus require appropriate management.

PMID:37197694 | PMC:PMC10185417 | DOI:10.1155/2023/7486220

Orthop Rev (Pavia). 2023 May 13;15:74883. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: For soccer athletes, injuries are frequent and pose a considerable health and financial burden for individuals and families. While studies have previously assessed the incidence of soccer injuries and preventive strategies male athletes use to reduce these occurrences, few have included women and players of varying skill levels.

OBJECTIVE: To report the frequency of injuries in a cohort of male and female soccer athletes and describe the training habits that have helped prevent injury.

METHODS: Two hundred (n=200) United States participants completed a questionnaire on soccer practicing frequency, habits, injuries, and treatments. A screening question ensured all respondents had played soccer for at least one year and determined eligibility for the study. Participant information related to age, sex, education, income, and race was also collected. JMP statistical software was used to analyze collected data and build multivariate regressions, mosaic plots, and histograms.

RESULTS: The mean number of practice sessions per week was 3.60 +/- 1.64, and the median experience playing soccer was 2-4 years. Older participants were more likely to practice once (p = 0.0001) or twice (p= 0.0008) per week. Women were less likely to include warmups before playing soccer (p = 0.022). This was problematic as participants who did not include a proper warmup routine were more likely to have been absent from play for longer amounts of time following injury (p = 0.032). The four most common injury sites were knees (n = 35, 17.5%), ankles (n = 31, 15.5%), shoulders (n = 25, 12.5%), and head/neck (n = 24, 12%). 140 (47.62%) patients used pain medication as their main remedy, 128 (43.54%) went to physical therapy, and 26 (10.78%) underwent surgery.

CONCLUSION: In any sample of soccer athletes involving variations in sex, race, and competitive play, injuries are highly common. Few studies before this one have included female athletes, and our findings highlight an important discrepancy in training habits between sexes. Women are less likely to follow a warmup regimen and are thus injured for longer. Incorporating dynamic stretching and plyometrics are particularly helpful to stay healthy.

PMID:37197671 | PMC:PMC10184884

Front Immunol. 2023 May 1;14:1161311. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1161311. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is induced by various factors, including inheritability, which regulates gene expression. Multiple loci correlated with AITD have been discovered utilizing genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Nevertheless, demonstrating the biological relevance and function of these genetic loci is difficult.

METHODS: The FUSION software was utilized to define genes that were expressed differentially in AITD using a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) method in accordance with GWAS summary statistics from the largest genome-wide association study of 755,406 AITD individuals (30,234 cases and 725,172 controls) and levels of gene expression from two tissue datasets (blood and thyroid). Further analyses were performed such as colocalization, conditional, and fine-mapping analyses to extensively characterize the identified associations, using functional mapping and annotation (FUMA) to conduct functional annotation of the summary statistics of 23329 significant risk SNPs (P < 5 × 10^-8) recognized by GWAS, together with summary-data-based mendelian randomization (SMR) for identifying functionally related genes at the loci in GWAS.

RESULTS: There were 330 genes with transcriptome-wide significant differences between cases and controls, and the majority of these genes were new. 9 of the 94 unique significant genes had strong, colocalized, and potentially causal correlations with AITD. Such strong associations included CD247, TPO, KIAA1524, PDE8B, BACH2, FYN, FOXK1, NKX2-3, and SPATA13. Subsequently, applying the FUMA approach, novel putative AITD susceptibility genes and involved gene sets were detected. Furthermore, we detected 95 probes that showed strong pleiotropic association with AITD through SMR analysis, such as CYP21A2, TPO, BRD7, and FCRL3. Lastly, we selected 26 genes by integrating the result of TWAS, FUMA, and SMR analysis. A phenome-wide association study (pheWAS) was then carried out to determine the risk of other related or co-morbid phenotypes for AITD-related genes.

CONCLUSIONS: The current work provides further insight into widespread changes in AITD at the transcriptomic level, as well as characterized the genetic component of gene expression in AITD by validating identified genes, establishing new correlations, and uncovering novel susceptibility genes. Our findings indicate that the genetic component of gene expression plays a significant part in AITD.

PMID:37197658 | PMC:PMC10183592 | DOI:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1161311

J Electrocardiol. 2023 May 3;80:51-55. doi: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2023.04.008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: All Long QT syndrome (LQTS) patients are at elevated risk for channelopathy-induced delayed myocardial repolarization and consequently potentially life-threatening cardiac events with 90% of initial cardiac events occurring between preteen and 40 years old. Utilizing ECG and derived vectorcardiographic parameters, including T wave Vector Magnitude (TwVM) measurement data, this study attempts to determine whether TwVM from baseline ECGs is effectively predictive of future cardiac events for genotype-positive LQTS patients.

METHODS: Verified carriers of established LQTS disease-causing genotypes were selected from University of Minnesota patient encounters between 2010 and 2020 for inclusion in this retrospective study. Baseline and predictive ECG and derived vectorcardiographic parameter evaluation, clinical data, and statistical analysis were compared between patients with and patients without cardiac events. First recorded ECG was at presentation to our hospital and final ECG is defined as ECG just prior to cardiac event (event defined below in Methods) or the most final documented ECG before cut-off year of 2020 for the event-free group.

RESULTS: Of 41 participants, 15 experienced cardiac events and 26 did not. While many baseline electrocardiographic parameter measurements did not show significant differences between patient groups, vectorcardiographic parameters at baseline, specifically the QRS vector magnitude (QRSVM) and azimuth of the spatial ventricular gradient, showed significance. Additionally, final vectorcardiographic parameters, particularly the QRSVM, TwVM, and azimuth of the spatial ventricular gradient showed significant differences between patient groups. Final T-wave frontal axis was significantly larger in those without cardiac events. Significant Kaplan-Meier curve separation between patient groups was noted based on a QRSVM of 1.43 mV or lower, with additional consideration to patient age, genotype, and beta blocker use.

CONCLUSION: This study shows evidence of ECG and derived vectorcardiographic parameters, including TwVM, being effective in early prediction of cardiac events in genotype-positive LQTS patients.

PMID:37196379 | DOI:10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2023.04.008

Anim Reprod Sci. 2023 May 15;253:107260. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107260. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of scheduled vincristine sulfate therapy on canine oocyte quality and nuclear oocyte maturation, associated with total antioxidant and oxidant status of ovaries and Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) concentrations in dogs with Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor (CTVT). Six bitches suffering from CTVT and six healthy bitches were included in the study. Hemogram was carried out weekly. AMH measurements and ovariohysterectomy operations were performed after the termination of vincristine sulfate therapies. Tissue samples from ovaries were utilized for Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced Glutathione (GSH), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Total Anti-oxidative Status (TAS), Total Oxidative Status (TOS) measurements, and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) was calculated. Collected oocytes were evaluated for meiotic competence, after In Vitro Maturation (IVM) and parthenogenetic activation. No difference between the two groups was observed in hematologic parameters (P > 0.05). Meiotic stages of Germinal Vesicle Break Down (GVBD), Metaphase I (MI), and Metaphase II (MII) were significantly different between groups (P < 0.05). The number of oocytes reaching MII and meiotic resumption was lower in the CTVT group. Furthermore, AMH concentrations, oxidant parameters (OSI, TOS, and MDA), and antioxidant parameters (GSH, SOD, and TAS) were also statistically different between groups (P < 0.05). The results of this study show that vincristine sulfate application in the treatment of CTVT could alter oxidant/antioxidant status in ovaries. Apart from these, oocyte quality and IVM rates seem to decline related to gonadotoxicity. Moreover, AMH could be an important marker in the evaluation of oocyte qualities in bitches, as it is in women.

PMID:37196377 | DOI:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107260

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2023 May 9;170:111599. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111599. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to summarize the clinical features of congenital preauricular fistula (CPF) in pediatric patients to improve the levels of diagnosis and treatment, reduce the rates of missed diagnosis and recurrence, and shorten the total diagnosis and treatment time.

METHODS: A total of 353 patients with CPF who were admitted to the Department of Otolaryngology in The Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine between January 2019 and December 2021 was enrolled in this retrospective observational study. Follow ups for 12-42 months were performed to investigate the classification, surgical methods, and postoperative conditions of CPF and to compare the recurrence rate, complication rate, and total diagnosis and treatment time between the active infection CPF group (AICPFG) and infection-controlled/non-infected CPF group (IC/NICPFG).

RESULTS: In 316 cases (89.5%) out of the 353 patients, the natural fistula orifice was located in front of the crus helicis; in 33 cases (9.4%), the natura fistula orifice was located at the crus helicis; and in 4 cases (1.1%), the natura fistula orifice was located in the external acoustic meatus. The AICPFG had 52 cases (14.7%), including 1 case (0.28%) of recurrence and 2 cases (0.56%) of infection at the incision site. The IC/NICPFG had 301 cases (85.3%), including 4 cases (1.13%) of recurrence, 6 cases (1.7%) of infection at the incision site, and 1 case (0.28%) of scar formation at the incision site. There were no significant differences in the recurrence rates and postoperative complications between the AICPFG and IC/NICPFG (p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the total diagnosis and treatment time between the AICPFG and IC/NICPFG (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: A reasonable classification of CPF, use of appropriate surgical methods, and belonging to the AICPFG do not increase the recurrence and complication rates of children but shorten the total treatment course, relieve patients’ suffering, reduce treatment costs, and achieve a better clinical prognosis.

PMID:37196371 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111599

Annu Rev Nutr. 2023 May 17. doi: 10.1146/annurev-nutr-011923-020327. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Precise dietary assessment is critical for accurate exposure classification in nutritional research, typically aimed at understanding how diet relates to health. Dietary supplement (DS) use is widespread and represents a considerable source of nutrients. However, few studies have compared the best methods to measure DSs. Our literature review on the relative validity and reproducibility of DS instruments in the United States [e.g., product inventories, questionnaires, and 24-h dietary recalls (24HR)] identified five studies that examined validity (n = 5) and/or reproducibility (n = 4). No gold standard reference method exists for validating DS use; thus, each study’s investigators chose the reference instrument used to measure validity. Self-administered questionnaires agreed well with 24HR and inventory methods when comparing the prevalence of commonly used DSs. The inventory method captured nutrient amounts more accurately than the other methods. Reproducibility (over 3 months to 2.4 years) of prevalence of use estimates on the questionnaires was acceptable for common DSs. Given the limited body of research on measurement error in DS assessment, only tentative conclusions on these DS instruments can be drawn at present. Further research is critical to advancing knowledge in DS assessment for research and monitoring purposes. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Nutrition, Volume 43 is August 2023. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

PMID:37196365 | DOI:10.1146/annurev-nutr-011923-020327

Cancer Control. 2023 Jan-Dec;30:10732748231177544. doi: 10.1177/10732748231177544.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have confirmed the higher risk of bladder cancer (BC) and rectal cancer (RC) development among prostate cancer (PCa) patients receiving radiotherapy. In this study, we intend to explore the long-term trend in second BC and RC incidence among PCa patients undergoing radiotherapy.

METHOD: We identified first primary PCa patients diagnosed between 1975 and 2014 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-9 cancer registries. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated by calendar year of diagnosis among PCa patients receiving radiotherapy and not. P trends were evaluated using Poisson regression. 10-year cumulative incidence of BC and RC was calculated utilizing competing risk regression model.

RESULT: Of PCa patients treated with radiotherapy, SIRs of BC increased from .82 (95% CI: .35- 1.61) in 1980-1984 to 1.58 (95% CI: 1.48-1.68) in 2010-2014 (Ptrend=.003). SIRs of RC increased from 1.01 (95% CI: .27-2.58) in 1980-1984 to 1.54 (95% CI: 1.31-1.81) in 2010-2014 (Ptrend=.025). No statistically significant change in both BC and RC incidence was observed. The 10-year cumulative incidence of BC increased from 1975-1984 (.04%) to 2005-2014 (.15%) among PCa treated with radiotherapy. Simultaneously, the 10-year cumulative incidence of RC was demonstrated to range from 1975-1984 (.02%) to 2005-2014 (.11%).

CONCLUSION: we have observed an increasing trend in second BC and RC incidence in PCa patients receiving radiotherapy. There was no significant change in the incidence of second BC and RC in PCa without radiotherapy. These results reflect the increasing clinical burden of second malignant tumors in PCa patients undergoing radiotherapy.

PMID:37196346 | DOI:10.1177/10732748231177544

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2023 May 17;11:e48961. doi: 10.2196/48961.

ABSTRACT

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/44513.].

PMID:37196344 | DOI:10.2196/48961

Hum Reprod. 2023 May 17:dead096. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dead096. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

STUDY QUESTION: Are patients willing to discuss the possibility of treatment being unsuccessful as part of routine care offered at clinics, and what are the factors associated with this willingness?

SUMMARY ANSWER: Nine in every 10 patients are willing to discuss this possibility as part of routine care, with willingness being associated with higher perceived benefits, lower barriers, and stronger positive attitudes towards it.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Fifty-eight percent of patients who complete up to three cycles of IVF/ICSI in the UK do not achieve a live birth. Offering psychosocial care for unsuccessful fertility treatment (PCUFT), defined as assistance and guidance on the implications of treatment being unsuccessful, could reduce the psychosocial distress patients experience when it happens, and promote positive adjustment to this loss. Research shows 56% of patients are willing to plan for an unsuccessful cycle, but little is known about their willingness and preferences towards discussing the possibility of definitive unsuccessful treatment.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: The study was of cross-sectional design, comprising a theoretically driven and patient-centred bilingual (English, Portuguese) mixed-methods online survey. The survey was disseminated via social media (April 2021-January 2022). Eligibility criteria included being aged 18 or older, waiting to or undergoing an IVF/ICSI cycle, or having completed a cycle within the previous 6 months without achieving a pregnancy. Out of 651 people accessing the survey, 451 (69.3%) consented to participate. From these, 100 did not complete 50% of the survey questions, nine did not report on the primary outcome variable (willingness), and 342 completed the survey (completion rate 75.8%, 338 women).

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: The survey was informed by the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Quantitative questions covered sociodemographic characteristics and treatment history. Quantitative and qualitative questions gathered data on past experiences, willingness, and preferences (with whom, what, how and when) to receive PCUFT, as well as theory-informed factors hypothesized to be associated with patients’ willingness to receive it. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used on quantitative data about PCUFT experiences, willingness, and preferences, and thematic analysis was applied to textual data. Two logistic regressions were used to investigate the factors associated with patients’ willingness.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Participants were, on average, 36 years old and most resided in Portugal (59.9%) and the UK (38.0%). The majority (97.1%) were in a relationship for around 10 years, and 86.3% were childless. Participants were undergoing treatment for, on average, 2 years [SD = 2.11, range: 0-12 years], with most (71.8%) having completed at least one IVF/ICSI cycle in the past, almost all (93.5%) without success. Around one-third (34.9%) reported having received PCUFT. Thematic analysis showed participants received it mainly from their consultant. The main topic discussed was patients’ low prognosis, with the emphasis being put on achieving a positive outcome. Almost all participants (93.3%) would like to receive PCUFT. Reported preferences indicated that 78.6% wanted to receive it from a psychologist/psychiatrist/counsellor, mostly in case of a bad prognosis (79.4%), emotional distress (73.5%), or difficulties in accepting the possibility of treatment being unsuccessful (71.2%). The preferred time to receive PCUFT was before initiating the first cycle (73.3%), while the preferred format was in an individual (mean = 6.37, SD = 1.17; in 1-7 scale) or couple (mean = 6.34, SD = 1.24; in 1-7 scale) session. Thematic analysis showed participants would like PCUFT to provide an overview of treatment and all possible outcomes tailored to each patient’s circumstances and to encompass psychosocial support, mainly focused on coping strategies to process loss and sustain hope towards the future. Willingness to receive PCUFT was associated with higher perceived benefit of building psychosocial resources and coping strategies (odds ratios (ORs) 3.40, 95% CI 1.23-9.38), lower perceived barrier of triggering negative emotions (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.24-0.98), and stronger positive attitudes about PCUFT being beneficial and useful (OR 3.32, 95% CI 2.12-5.20).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Self-selected sample, mainly composed of female patients who had not yet achieved their parenthood goals. The small number of participants unwilling to receive PCUFT reduced statistical power. The primary outcome variable was intentions, and research shows a moderate association between intentions and actual behaviour.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Fertility clinics should provide patients with early opportunities to discuss the possibility of their treatment being unsuccessful as part of routine care. PCUFT should focus on minimizing suffering associated with grief and loss by reassuring patients they can cope with any treatment outcome, promoting coping resources, and signposting to additional support.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): M.S.-L. holds a doctoral fellowship from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. [Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia] (FCT; SFRH/BD/144429/2019). R.C. holds a post-doctoral fellowship supported by the European Social Fund (ESF) and FCT (SFRH/BPD/117597/2016). The EPIUnit, ITR and CIPsi (PSI/01662) are also financed by FCT through the Portuguese State Budget, in the scope of the projects UIDB/04750/2020, LA/P/0064/2020 and UIDB/PSI/01662/2020, respectively. Dr Gameiro reports consultancy fees from TMRW Life Sciences and Ferring Pharmaceuticals A/S, speaker fees from Access Fertility, SONA-Pharm LLC, Meridiano Congress International and Gedeon Richter, grants from Merck Serono Ltd, an affiliate of Merck KgaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

PMID:37196325 | DOI:10.1093/humrep/dead096