Tag: statistics

Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2023 Feb 16. doi: 10.1007/s10384-023-00980-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of the local alert levels regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the clinical patterns of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in Japan.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, single-center, consecutive case series.

METHODS: We compared two groups of RRD patients, a COVID-19 pandemic group and a control group. Based on the local alert levels in Nagano, five periods during the COVID-19 pandemic were further analyzed: epidemic 1 (state of emergency), inter-epidemic 1, epidemic 2 (second epidemic duration), inter-epidemic 2, and epidemic 3 (third epidemic duration). Patients’ characteristics, including symptoms’ duration before visiting our hospital, macula status, and retinal detachment (RD) recurrence rate in each period, were compared with those in a control group.

RESULTS: There were 78 patients in the pandemic group and 208 in the control group. The pandemic group had a longer duration of symptoms than the control group (12.0 ± 13.5 days vs. 8.9 ± 14.7 days, P = 0.0045). During the epidemic 1 period, patients had a higher rate of macula-off RRD (71.4% vs. 48.6%) and RD recurrence (28.6% vs. 4.8%) than the control group. This period also demonstrated the highest rates compared to all other periods in the pandemic group.

CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, RRD patients significantly delayed visiting a surgical facility. They showed a higher rate of macula-off and recurrence compared to the control group during the state of emergency than during other periods of the COVID-19 pandemic, although the difference was not statistically significant due to the small sample size.

PMID:36795332 | DOI:10.1007/s10384-023-00980-1

Clin Anat. 2023 Feb 16. doi: 10.1002/ca.24026. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The caudolenticular (or transcapsular) gray bridges (CLGBs) connect the caudate nucleus (CN) and putamen across the internal capsule. The CLGBs function as the main efferent terminus from premotor and supplementary motor area cortex to the basal ganglia (BG). We conjectured if inherent variations in numbers and sizes of CLGBs could contribute to abnormal cortical-subcortical connectivity in Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder featuring a hindrance of BG processing. However, there are no literature accounts of normative anatomy and morphometry of CLGBs. We therefore retrospectively analyzed axial and coronal 3T FSPGR MRIs of 34 healthy individuals for bilateral CLGBs symmetry, their numbers, dimensions of thickest and longest bridge, and axial surface areas of CN head and putamen. We calculated Evans’ index (EI) to account for any brain atrophy. We statistically tested associations between sex or age and measured dependent variables, and linear correlations between all measured variables (significance at p<.05). Study subjects were F:M=23:11 with mean age 49.9 years. All EI’s were normal (<.3). All but three CLGBs were bilaterally symmetrical with a mean 7.4 CLGBs per side. Mean CLGBs thickness and lengths were 1.0mm and 4.6mm, respectively; CN head and putamen areas were 205mm² and 382.0mm² , respectively. Females had thicker CLGBs (p=.02) but we found no significant interactions between sex or age and measured dependent variables, and no correlations between CN head or putamen areas and CLGBs dimensions. These normative MRI dimensions of the CLGBs will help guide future studies on the possible role of CLGBs morphometry in PD predisposition.

PMID:36795325 | DOI:10.1002/ca.24026

World J Pediatr. 2023 Feb 16:1-13. doi: 10.1007/s12519-023-00688-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Bronchiolitis is a common acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) and the most frequent cause of hospitalization of infants and young children with ALRTI. Respiratory syncytial virus is the main pathogen that leads to severe bronchiolitis. The disease burden is relatively high. To date, few descriptions of the clinical epidemiology and disease burden of children hospitalized for bronchiolitis are available. This study reports the general clinical epidemiological characteristics and disease burden of bronchiolitis in hospitalized children in China.

METHODS: This study included the face sheet of discharge medical records collected from 27 tertiary children’s hospitals from January 2016 to December 2020 that were aggregated into the FUTang Update medical REcords (FUTURE) database. The sociodemographic variables, length of stay (LOS) and disease burden of children with bronchiolitis were analyzed and compared using appropriate statistical tests.

RESULTS: In total, 42,928 children aged 0-3 years were hospitalized due to bronchiolitis from January 2016 to December 2020, accounting for 1.5% of the total number of hospitalized children of the same age in the database during the period and 5.31% of the hospitalizations for ALRTI. The male to female ratio was 2.01:1. Meanwhile, more boys than girls were observed in different regions, age groups, years, and residences. The 1-2 year age group had the greatest number of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis, while the 29 days-6 months group had the largest proportion of the total inpatients and inpatients with ALRTI in the same age group. In terms of region, the hospitalization rate of bronchiolitis was the highest in East China. Overall, the number of hospitalizations from 2017 to 2020 showed a decreasing trend from that in 2016. Seasonally, the peak hospitalizations for bronchiolitis occurred in winter. Hospitalization rates in North China in autumn and winter were higher than those in South China, while hospitalization rates in South China were higher in spring and summer. Approximately, half of the patients with bronchiolitis had no complications. Among the complications, myocardial injury, abnormal liver function and diarrhea were more common. The median LOS was 6 days [interquartile range (IQR) = 5-8], and the median hospitalization cost was 758 United States dollars (IQR = 601.96-1029.53).

CONCLUSIONS: Bronchiolitis is a common respiratory disease in infants and young children in China, and it accounts for a higher proportion of both total hospitalizations and hospitalizations due to ALRTI in children. Among them, children aged 29 days-2 years are the main hospitalized population, and the hospitalization rate of boys is significantly higher than that of girls. The peak season for bronchiolitis is winter. Bronchiolitis causes few complications and has a low mortality rate, but the burden of this disease is heavy.

PMID:36795317 | PMC:PMC9933022 | DOI:10.1007/s12519-023-00688-9

Clin Anat. 2023 Feb 16. doi: 10.1002/ca.24027. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the relation between the cystocholedochal angle (SCA) and choledocholithiasis.

METHODS: The data of 3.350 patients were reviewed retrospectively and a total of 628 patients who met the criteria were included in the study. The patients included in the study were divided into three groups as patients with choledocholithiasis (Group I), patients with only cholelithiasis (Group II), and patients without gallstones as control group (Group III). Measurements of SCA, cystic, bile and common hepatic ducts were made on Magnetic Resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) images. Laboratory findings and demographic characteristics of the patients were also recorded.

RESULTS: Of the patients included in the study 64.2% were female, 35.8% were male, and their age ranged from 18-93 (mean 53.37±18.87 years). While the mean SCA values of all patient groups were 35.44°±10.44°, the mean length of cystic, bile and common hepatic ducts were 28.91±9.30 mm, 40.28±12.91 mm, 27.09±9.68 mm respectively. All measurements were higher in Group I in comparison to other groups, whereas all measurements of Group II were higher than those of Group III (p<0.001). Statistical analysis suggests that a SCA of 33.5° and above is an important criterion for diagnosis of choledocholithiasis.

CONCLUSION: Increase of SCA raises the likelihood of choledocholithiasis, as it facilitates the passage of stones from gallbladder into the bile ducts. This is the first study to compare SCA in patients with choledocholithiasis and those with only cholelithiasis. Therefore, we think that this study is important and will be a guide for clinical evaluation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36795311 | DOI:10.1002/ca.24027

Rheumatol Ther. 2023 Feb 16. doi: 10.1007/s40744-023-00535-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess any differences and similarities in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) between sexes. Any possible differences of psoriasis and its potential impact on disease burden between sexes with PsA were also evaluated.

METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of two longitudinal PsA cohorts. The impact of psoriasis on the PtGA was evaluated. Patients were stratified in four groups based on BSA. The median PtGA was then compared between the four groups. Moreover, a multivariate linear regression analysis was performed in order to evaluate associations between PtGA and skin involvement, split by sexes.

RESULTS: We enrolled 141 males and 131 females: PtGA, PtPnV, tender, swollen joint count, DAPSA, HAQ-DI, PsAID-12 were statistically significant higher in females (p ≤ 0.05). PASS “yes” was deemed more in males than in females and BSA was higher in males. MDA was present more in males than females. When the patients were stratified on BSA, median PtGA was not different between males and females with BSA = 0. Instead, in females with BSA > 0, a higher PtGA was observed compared to males with BSA > 0. There was not a statistically significant association between skin involvement and PtGA at linear regression analysis, even if a trend seems to be present in female.

CONCLUSIONS: Psoriasis is more present in males, but it seems to be related to a worse impact in females. In particular, a possible role of psoriasis as an influencing factor the PtGA was found. Moreover, female PsA patients tended to have more disease activity, worse function, and higher disease burden.

PMID:36795290 | DOI:10.1007/s40744-023-00535-3

Obes Surg. 2023 Feb 16. doi: 10.1007/s11695-023-06489-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine if the hospital efficiency, safety and health outcomes are equal in patients who receive bariatric surgery in government-funded hospitals (GFH) versus privately funded hospitals (PFH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study of prospectively maintained data from the Australia and New Zealand Bariatric Surgery Registry of 14,862 procedures (2134 GFH and 12,728 PFH) from 33 hospitals (8 GFH and 25 PFH) performed in Victoria, Australia, between January 1st, 2015, and December 31st, 2020. Outcome measures included the difference in efficacy (weight loss, diabetes remission), safety (defined adverse event and complications) and efficiency (hospital length of stay) between the two health systems.

RESULTS: GFH treated a higher risk patient group who were older by a mean (SD) 2.4 years (0.27), P < 0.001; had a mean 9.0 kg (0.6) greater weight at time of surgery, P < 0.001; and a higher prevalence of diabetes at day of surgery OR = 2.57 (CI_95%2.29-2.89), P < 0.001. Despite these baseline differences, both GFH and PFH yielded near identical remission of diabetes which was stable up to 4 years post-operatively (57%). There was no statistically significant difference in defined adverse events between the GFH and PFH (OR = 1.24 (CI_95% 0.93-1.67), P = 0.14). Both healthcare settings demonstrated that similar covariates affect length of stay (LOS) (diabetes, conversion bariatric procedures and defined adverse event); however, these covariates had a greater effect on LOS in GFH compared to PFH.

CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric surgery performed in GFH and PFH yields comparable health outcomes (metabolic and weight loss) and safety. There was a small but statistically significant increased LOS following bariatric surgery in GFH.

PMID:36795288 | DOI:10.1007/s11695-023-06489-3

Indian J Pediatr. 2023 Feb 16:1-8. doi: 10.1007/s12098-022-04449-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the factors associated with mortality of a multicentric cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, 0-18 y old, from 42 centers across India.

METHODS: The National Clinical Registry for COVID-19 (NCRC) is an on-going prospective data collection platform enrolling COVID-19 patients diagnosed by real-time PCR or rapid antigen test. The data are collected in prestructured e-capture forms. The sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, and hospital outcome data from 1^st September 2020 to 20^th February 2022 were analyzed.

RESULTS: Of the 1244 enrolled hospitalized COVID-19 patients aged 0-18 y, 98 and 124 were infants and neonates, respectively. Only 68.6% children were symptomatic at admission, with fever being the most common symptom. Diarrhea, rash, and neurological symptoms were also noted. At least 1 comorbidity was present in 260 (21%) children. The in-hospital mortality rate was 6.2% (n = 67), the highest in infants (12.5%). Altered sensorium (aOR: 6.8, CI: 1.9, 24.6), WHO ordinal scale ≥ 4 at admission (aOR: 19.6, CI: 8.0, 47.8), and malignancy (aOR: 8.9, 95% CI: 2.4, 32.3) were associated with higher odds of death. Malnutrition did not affect the outcome. Mortality rates were similar across the three waves of the pandemic, though a significant shift towards the under-five group was observed in the third wave.

CONCLUSION: This multicentric cohort of admitted Indian children showed that the COVID-19 was milder in children than adults, and the pattern was consistent across all waves of the pandemic.

PMID:36795272 | PMC:PMC9933031 | DOI:10.1007/s12098-022-04449-w

Clin Oral Investig. 2023 Feb 16. doi: 10.1007/s00784-023-04908-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the adjunctive use of Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) to full-mouth scaling and root planning (FMS), in stage III/IV periodontitis patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty stage III/IV periodontitis patients were randomly assigned to three groups. The control group received FMS, laser 1 group received combined FMS/single Nd:YAG laser irradiation (3 W, 150 mJ, 20 Hz,100 μs), and laser 2 group received combined FMS/double Nd:YAG laser irradiation with 1-week interval (2.0 W, 200 mJ, 10 Hz, 100 μs). PD, CAL, FMPS, GI, FMBS, and GR were evaluated at baseline, 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Patient-reported outcomes were evaluated 1 week after treatment.

RESULTS: A significant improvement (p < 0.001) for all clinical parameters was observed during the entire study period, with the exception of mean CAL gain for the laser 2 group at 12 months. The percentage of pockets ≤ 4 mm was significantly higher compared to baseline for all groups throughout the study, with no inter-group differences at any time point. Patient-reported analgesic consumption was higher for laser 1 group.

CONCLUSIONS: The adjunctive use of Nd:YAG laser irradiation was similarly effective to FMS alone, during the entire study period. A slightly higher, though not statistically significant improvement was reported for PD at 6 and 12 months after a single post-FMS application of Nd:YAG laser for pocket epithelium removal and coagulation.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Additional Nd:YAG laser application for sulcular epithelium removal and coagulation may provide minor long-term improvements compared to FMS or laser irradiation for pocket disinfection and detoxification.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN26692900. Registration date: 09/06/2022.

PMID:36795248 | DOI:10.1007/s00784-023-04908-4

J Endocrinol Invest. 2023 Feb 16. doi: 10.1007/s40618-023-02027-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) during childhood and adolescence is rising significantly worldwide. Previous studies have shown that following a healthy dietary pattern, like the Mediterranean diet (MD), might be an efficacious approach for the prevention and management of MetS during childhood. In the present study, we aimed to examine the effect of MD on inflammatory markers and components of MetS among adolescent girls with MetS.

METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 70 girl adolescents with metabolic syndrome. Patients in the intervention group followed a prescribed MD, while participants in the control group received dietary advice according to the food pyramid. The length of intervention was 12 weeks. Participants’ dietary intakes were evaluated using three 1-day food records throughout the study. Anthropometric measures, inflammatory markers, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and hematological factors were assessed at the baseline and end of the trial. An intention-to-treat approach was taken into account for the statistical analysis.

RESULTS: After 12 weeks, participants in the intervention group had lower weight (P_time*group ≤ 0/001), body mass index (BMI) (P_time*group ≤ 0/001), and waist circumference (WC) (P_time*group ≤ 0/001) compared with those in the control group. In addition, MD resulted in a significantly reduced systolic blood pressure compared to the those in the control group (P_time*group ≤ 0/001). In terms of metabolic variables, MD led to a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose (FBS) (P_time*group ≤ 0/001), triglycerides (TG) (P_time*group ≤ 0/001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P_time*group ≤ 0/001), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (P_time*group = 0/02) and a meaningful increase in serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (P_time*group ≤ 0/001). In addition, adherence to the MD resulted in a significant reduction in serum levels of inflammatory markers including Interleukin 6 (IL-6) (P_time*group = 0/02) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (P_time*group = 0/02). However, no significant effect was seen on serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) (P_time*group = 0/43).

CONCLUSION: Overall, the findings of the present study revealed that consumption of MD for 12 weeks resulted in a favorable effect on anthropometric measures, components of MetS, as well as on some inflammatory biomarkers.

PMID:36795242 | DOI:10.1007/s40618-023-02027-1

J Urban Health. 2023 Feb 16. doi: 10.1007/s11524-023-00716-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Violence is a public health issue that disproportionately affects communities of color in urban centers. There is limited understanding of how violent crime is associated with adult physical inactivity and obesity prevalence given the racial/ethnic composition of community residents. This research aimed to address this gap by examining census tract-level data in Chicago, IL. Ecological data gathered from a variety of sources were analyzed in 2020. Violent crime rate represented the number of police-reported incidents of homicide, aggravated assault, and armed robbery per 1,000 residents. Spatial error and ordinary least square regression models were evaluated to determine if violent crime rate was significant associated with prevalence (%) of adult physical inactivity and obesity among all Chicago census tracts (N = 798), majority non-Hispanic (NH) White tracts (n = 240), majority NH Black tracts (n = 280), majority Hispanic tracts (n = 169), and racially diverse tracts (n = 109). Majority was defined as ≥ 50% representation. After adjusting for socioeconomic and environmental measures (e.g., median income, grocery store availability, walkability index), violent crime rate was associated with % physical inactivity and % obesity at the census tract level in Chicago, IL (both p < 0.001). Associations were statistically significant among majority NH Black and Hispanic tracts, but not majority NH White and racially diverse tracts. Future studies should evaluate the structural drivers of violence and the influence these drivers have on adult physical inactivity and obesity risk, particularly in communities of color.

PMID:36795240 | DOI:10.1007/s11524-023-00716-z