Tag: statistics

J Sex Marital Ther. 2022 May 3:1-9. doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2022.2067090. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between different sex positions and female sexual dysfunction. This comparative and descriptive study was conducted at a hospital in a province in Eastern Turkey between March 2019 – June 2019. The data were collected using the “Personal Data Form” and “Female Sexual Function Index/FSFI” via the closed envelope technique to protect the participants’ privacy. The study was conducted with 184 women. Number, mean, percentage distribution, and ANOVA tests were used to evaluate the data. The total mean score of the FSFI was determined to be 18.03 ± 4.17. When examining the mean scores of the sexual function index in terms of sex position, a statistically significant difference was found between both the FSFI total score and its subscales and all positions (p = 0.00). It was observed that based on the scores of the FSFI, the women had a form of sexual dysfunction and had higher mean scores in Desire, Arousal, Lubrication, Orgasm, and Satisfaction in the overall scale of female-on-top positions, and their mean scores for pain subscale were lower.

PMID:35502555 | DOI:10.1080/0092623X.2022.2067090

Brain Behav. 2022 May 2:e32546. doi: 10.1002/brb3.2546. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To investigate the association between disease duration and the severity of bilateral vestibulopathy in individuals with complete or incomplete CANVAS (Cerebellar Ataxia with Neuropathy and Vestibular Areflexia Syndrome) and biallelic RFC1 repeat expansions.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical data and the vestibulo-ocular reflex quantified by the video head impulse test in 20 patients with confirmed biallelic RFC1 repeat expansions.

RESULTS: Vestibulo-ocular reflex gain at first admittance 6.9 ± 5.0 years after disease onset was 0.16 [0.15-0.31] (median [interquartile range]). Cross-sectional analysis revealed that gain reduction was associated with disease duration. Follow-up measurements were available for ten individuals: eight of them exhibited a progressive decrease of the vestibulo-ocular reflex gain over time. At the first visit, six of all patients (30%) did not show clinical signs of cerebellar ataxia.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest a pathological horizontal head impulse test, which can easily be obtained in many outpatient clinics, as a sign of bilateral vestibulopathy in genetically confirmed CANVAS that can precede clinically accessible cerebellar ataxia at least in a subset of patients. The presumably continuous decline over time possibly reflects the neurodegenerative character of the disease. Thus, genetic testing for RFC1 mutations in (isolated) bilateral vestibulopathy might allow disease detection before the onset of cerebellar signs. Further studies including a wider spectrum of vestibular function tests are warranted in a prospective design.

PMID:35502508 | DOI:10.1002/brb3.2546

Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2022 Apr 26;15:817-826. doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S346856. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Using machine learning method to predict and judge unknown data offers opportunity to improve accuracy by exploring complex interactions between risk factors. Therefore, we evaluate the performance of machine learning (ML) algorithms and to compare them with logistic regression for predicting the risk of renal function decline (RFD) using routine clinical data.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study includes datasets from 2166 subjects, aged 35-74 years old, provided by an adult health screening follow-up program between 2010 and 2020. Seven different ML models were considered – random forest, gradient boosting, multilayer perceptron, support vector machine, K-nearest neighbors, adaptive boosting, and decision tree – and were compared with standard logistic regression. There were 24 independent variables, and the baseline estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was used as the predictive variable.

RESULTS: A total of 2166 participants (mean age 49.2±11.2 years old, 63.3% males) were enrolled and randomly divided into a training set (n=1732) and a test set (n=434). The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for detecting RFD corresponding to the different models were above 0.85 during the training phase. The gradient boosting algorithms exhibited the best average prediction accuracy (AUROC: 0.914) among all algorithms validated in this study. Based on AUROC, the ML algorithms improved the RFD prediction performance, compared to logistic regression model (AUROC:0.882), except the K-nearest neighbors and decision tree algorithms (AUROC:0.854 and 0.824, respectively). However, the improvement differences with logistic regression were small (less than 4%) and nonsignificant.

CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the proposed health screening dataset-based RFD prediction model using ML algorithms is readily applicable, produces validated results. But logistic regression yields as good performance as ML models to predict the risk of RFD with simple clinical predictors.

PMID:35502445 | PMC:PMC9056070 | DOI:10.2147/RMHP.S346856

Ann Pharmacother. 2022 May 2:10600280221091301. doi: 10.1177/10600280221091301. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of ibrexafungerp in the management of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).

DATA SOURCES: Literature was sought using PubMed (1966-February 2022) and EMBASE (1973-February 2022), and clinicaltrials.gov. Search terms included ibrexafungerp, SCY-078, and VVC.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All studies including humans and published in English with data assessing the efficacy and safety of ibrexafungerp for the treatment of VVC were evaluated.

DATA SYNTHESIS: A phase 2 dose-finding study found ibrexafungerp had similar efficacy to fluconazole in the clinical cure of VVC (51.9% vs 58.3%, respectively). Two phase 3 clinical trials demonstrated ibrexafungerp had statistical superiority over placebo for clinical cure in moderate to severe VVC (P < 0.001 and P = 0.023, respectively). The most frequently reported adverse reactions in the clinical trials were gastrointestinal-related symptoms. To date, data comparing efficacy of ibrexafungerp and topical imidazoles in the treatment of VVC are nonexistent.

RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE: Topical imidazoles and oral fluconazole are effective for the treatment of uncomplicated VVC. Due to increased resistance, limited fluconazole coverage for non-Candida albicans species, and potential for significant drug interactions associated with fluconazole use, alternative treatments for VVC are needed. Ibrexafungerp is a new oral triterpenoid antifungal agent indicated for the treatment of VVC. Additional clinical trials are needed to evaluate long-term safety data as well as efficacy and safety in specialty populations.

CONCLUSION: Ibrexafungerp, a recently approved triterpenoid antifungal agent, is an effective and well-tolerated option for the treatment of VVC.

PMID:35502451 | DOI:10.1177/10600280221091301

Pharm Pract (Granada). 2022 Jan-Mar;20(1):2585. doi: 10.18549/PharmPract.2022.1.2585. Epub 2022 Jan 10.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To assess pharmacists from Syria and Iraq on their knowledge, readiness, and perspectives on their roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to investigate pharmacists’ perceived barriers towards delivering their emergency roles during the COVID-19 pandemic and perceived policymakers’ responsibilities.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study design was conducted in Iraq and Syria during COVID-19 outbreak over one month (April 2020). The study objectives were addressed through a validated online questionnaire. Data was analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS).

RESULTS: A total of 916 individuals participated in this study (447 from Iraq and 439 from Syria). Most of Iraqi participants were students while most of Syrian participants were graduates and technicians. The mean age for the Iraqi participants was 22.5 (SD= 4.1) while the mean age for the Syrian participants was 28.7 (SD= 9.1). A significant difference (p< 0.001) was found in following the latest coronavirus updates on management among pharmacy graduates and technicians and undergraduate students. Media was reported as the most used source for knowledge about epidemics/pandemics among the Iraqi and the Syrian participants. Around 72% strongly agreed/agreed that the faculties of pharmacy have a role in preparing them to deal with epidemics/pandemics. In addition, 64.3% strongly agreed/agreed that pharmacist associations and societies have a role in preparing them to deal with epidemics/pandemics such as the coronavirus. Moreover, 82.9% believed that pharmacists should receive training programs on how to provide mental health support for people during epidemic and pandemic outbreaks.

CONCLUSION: Tertiary pharmacy education providers and pharmacy professional bodies have a strong role in preparing pharmacists to deal with pandemics. Therefore, the importance of providing beforehand training programs on epidemics/pandemics management, workshops, lectures, and online information resources for such circumstances is crucial for pharmacists.

PMID:35502433 | PMC:PMC9014893 | DOI:10.18549/PharmPract.2022.1.2585

Resour Policy. 2022 Apr 28:102740. doi: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2022.102740. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Equity markets are prone to several external factors, especially in the lethal pandemic situation when the uncertainty regarding the spread of the COVID disrupts the daily financial and economic activities along with the sharp decline in the oil price causing severe devastations to people not just in terms of life and health but also in the form of finance. Therefore, to assess the presence of empirical association of the oil price, Covid-19, and news-based uncertainty with the equity market condition, the method of QARDL was applied in the current investigation. The results revealed that the relationship of OIL was found to be positive and significant across all of the quantiles of the Stock Price Index (SPI); news-based uncertainty was found to be negative and significant across all of the quantiles of SPI, whereas COVID19 has the negative and significant impact on SPI only in the bearish and stable market conditions. Based on the findings, balance government interventions are recommended, balancing the generation of economic activities and counter COVID spread.

PMID:35502418 | PMC:PMC9046082 | DOI:10.1016/j.resourpol.2022.102740

Patient Prefer Adherence. 2022 Apr 26;16:1105-1114. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S363477. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Compliance is essential to achieve treatment goals in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The current study evaluated compliance and related factors in a large and diverse population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with RA who received active treatment were invited to participate in an online survey. The Arabic versions of the 5-Item Compliance Questionnaire for Rheumatology (ACQR-5) and the RA Impact of Disease (RAID) were used to measure compliance and disability, respectively. The patients were sub-grouped based on background disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Variables associated with high compliance were selected for the logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 1241 patients completed the survey and were included in the final analysis. Of those, 1055 (85%) were females with a mean (±SD) age and disease duration of 47.14 ± 13.71 and 8.77 ± 7.43 years, respectively. The mean RAID was 4.4±2.58, with 980 (79%) having an unacceptable level state. Patients with an unacceptable RAID level had a lower compliance rate (78.8% vs 85.8%, p = 0.001). Demographics associated with high compliance were female sex and increased age, with reported odds ratios of 1.018 (95% CI: 1.007-1.028) and 1.464 (95% CI: 1.016-2.108), respectively. Compliance was similar between patients on Janus kinase inhibitors or biological DMARDs (88.14% vs 80.83%, p = 0.17), between monotherapy, double therapy, or triple therapy recipients (80% vs 82.23% vs 81.32%, p = 0.665), and between patients receiving injectable and oral therapy (77.32% vs 81.14%, p = 0.246).

CONCLUSION: A high compliance level was observed in this population, with patient demographics influencing compliance rather than the medication type or route of administration. Interventional studies should focus on the of high-risk patients identified in this study.

PMID:35502428 | PMC:PMC9056069 | DOI:10.2147/PPA.S363477

Comput Math Methods Med. 2022 Apr 23;2022:5001594. doi: 10.1155/2022/5001594. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The application of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) in the treatment of paralytic strabismus has been recognized, but there are few studies on the treatment of acute acquired comitant esotropia (AACE). This study was aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of AACE and compare the therapeutic effects of BTXA and traditional surgery.

METHODS: 78 patients with AACE in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between March 2019 and March 2021 were reviewed. The relevant medical records of the patients were collected, and they were divided into surgical group (n = 46) and botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) group (n = 32) according to different treatment approaches. The surgical group was treated with squint correction, whereas the BTXA group was treated with microinjection of BTXA in MR. Eye alignment, esotropia, stereopsis, and complications were examined before and after treatment in both groups.

RESULTS: The refractive status of 78 patients with AACE was mostly myopic refractive error. In general, the angle of esotropia at distance was larger than which at near, with a statistically significant difference. At follow-up assessments of 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment, the total effective rates of the surgical group and the BTXA group were 100% and 90.48%, respectively. The residual angle of esotropia of both groups was lower after treatment. Additionally, the incidence rate of complications in the BTXA group was significantly lower than that in the surgical group.

CONCLUSION: AACE occurs mostly in people with myopic refractive errors and is associated with prolonged near work. Besides surgical treatment, micro-injection of BTXA is also an effective and safe treatment for AACE.

PMID:35502413 | PMC:PMC9056260 | DOI:10.1155/2022/5001594

Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2022 Apr 26;15:1261-1268. doi: 10.2147/DMSO.S354023. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of the present work was to investigate whether hepatitis C virus treatment by directly acting antivirals obligate shifting patients with type 2 diabetes from oral hypoglycemic drugs to insulin therapy.

METHODS: This was a prospective study including 92 treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection and type 2 diabetes who were eligible for treatment with directly acting antivirals (sofosbuvir + daclatasvir ± ribavirin). Patients in the study were divided into two groups; group 1 included 22 patients on insulin therapy and group 2 included 70 patients on oral antidiabetic medications. Patients were advised to keep on their anti-diabetic treatment.

RESULTS: All our patients achieved sustained virologic response with significantly lower HbA_1c 12 weeks after the end of therapy (p. values 0.001 for group 1 and group 2). There was no statistically significant difference in HbA_1c level post-treatment between both groups (p. value 0.352).

CONCLUSION: Achievement of sustained virologic response using interferon free, directly acting antivirals-based regimen was associated with significantly lower HbA_1c 12 weeks after the end of therapy. The type of treatment used for type 2 diabetes (oral drugs or insulin) did not affect improved glycemic control observed after achieving sustained virologic response.

PMID:35502409 | PMC:PMC9056022 | DOI:10.2147/DMSO.S354023

J Big Data. 2022;9(1):47. doi: 10.1186/s40537-022-00591-6. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

ABSTRACT

Twitter has been responsible for some major stock market news in the recent past, from rogue CEOs damaging their company to very active world leaders asking for brand boycotts, but despite its impact Twitter has still not been as impactful on markets as traditional news sources. In this paper we examine whether daily news sentiment of several companies and Twitter sentiment from their CEOs have an impact on their market performance and whether traditional news sources and Twitter activity of heads of government impact the benchmark indexes of major world economies over a period spanning the outbreak of the SAR-COV-2 pandemic. Our results indicate that there is very limited correlation between Twitter sentiment and price movements and that this does not change much when returns are taken relative to the market or when the market is calm or turbulent. There is almost no correlation under any circumstances between non-financial news sources and price movements, however there is some correlation between financial news sentiment and stock price movements. We also find this correlation gets stronger when returns are taken relative to the market. There are fewer companies correlated in both turbulent and calm economic times. There is no clear pattern to the direction and strength of the correlation, with some being strongly negatively correlated and others being strongly positively correlated, but in general the size of the correlation tends to indicate that price movement is driving sentiment, except in the turbulent economic times of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic in 2020.

PMID:35502408 | PMC:PMC9047470 | DOI:10.1186/s40537-022-00591-6