Tag: statistics

J Clin Gastroenterol. 2022 Apr 15. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000001706. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

GOALS: The aim was to investigate the adenoma detection rate (ADR) of endoscopists who have used full-spectrum endoscopy (Fuse) for 3 years and revert back to traditional forward-viewing endoscopes (R-TFV) at an ambulatory surgical center.

BACKGROUND: Traditional forward viewing (TFV) endoscopes have 1 camera and provide an angle of view of 140 to 170 degrees, whereas Fuse provides a 330 degrees view through the addition of 2 side cameras. It has previously been reported that Fuse increased the ADR by 5.4% when compared with previous rates using TFV. Fuse is no longer commercially available. The ADR of endoscopists who revert back to TFV is unknown.

STUDY: We conducted a retrospective analysis of data examining the ADR from average risk screening colonoscopies at a 5-room ambulatory surgical center where endoscopists transitioned from TFV to Fuse in April 2014 and then reverted back to TFV in 2016. The primary outcome was ADR. Secondary outcomes were ADR for advanced and right-sided adenomas.

RESULTS: A total of 6110 procedures were reviewed. The ADR was 23.70% for TFV, 29.02% for Fuse and 28.88% for R-TFV. The ADR for advanced adenomas was 3.8% for TFV, 6.0% for Fuse and 7.3% for R-TFV. The ADR for right-sided adenomas was 13.0% for TFV, 16.7% for Fuse and 16.0% for R-TFV. The results for all 3 categories showed a statistical difference between TFV and Fuse as well as between TFV and R-TFV. There were no statistical differences between the ADR of Fuse compared with R-TFV.

CONCLUSIONS: During R-TFV, endoscopists are able to maintain their increased ability to detect adenomas. This would suggest that there was a change in behavior in endoscopists using Fuse that was durable.

PMID:35470297 | DOI:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001706

J Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 2022 Apr 15. doi: 10.1097/ANA.0000000000000842. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite a renewed focus in recent years on pain management in the inpatient hospital setting, postoperative pain after elective craniotomy remains under investigated. This study aims to identify which perioperative factors associate most strongly with postoperative pain and opioid medication requirements after inpatient craniotomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using an existing dataset, we selected a restricted cohort of patients who underwent elective craniotomy surgery requiring an inpatient postoperative stay during a 7-year period at our institution (n=1832). We examined pain scores and opioid medication usage and analyzed the relative contribution of specific perioperative risk factors to postoperative pain and opioid medication intake (morphine milligram equivalents).

RESULTS: Postoperative pain was found to be highest on postoperative day 1 and decreased thereafter (up to day 5). Factors associated with greater postoperative opioid medication requirement were preoperative opioid medication use, duration of anesthesia, degree of pain in the preoperative setting, and patient age. Notably, the most significant factor associated with a higher postoperative pain score and Morphine milligram equivalents requirement was the time elapsed between the end of general anesthesia and a patient’s first intravenous opioid medication.

CONCLUSION: Postcraniotomy patients are at higher risk for requiring opioid pain medications if they have a history of preoperative opioid use, are of younger age, or undergo a longer surgery. Moreover, early requirement of intravenous opioid medications in the postoperative period should alert treating physicians that a patient’s pain may require additional or alternative methods of pain control than routinely administered, to avoid over-reliance on opioid medications.

PMID:35470325 | DOI:10.1097/ANA.0000000000000842

Comput Inform Nurs. 2022 Apr 24. doi: 10.1097/CIN.0000000000000921. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has become a leading societal concern. eHealth literacy is important in the prevention and control of this pandemic. The purpose of this study is to identify eHealth literacy of Chinese residents about the COVID-19 pandemic and factors influencing eHealth literacy. A total of 15 694 individuals clicked on the link to the questionnaire, and 15 000 agreed to participate and completed the questionnaire for a response rate of 95.58%. Descriptive statistics, χ2 test, and logistic regression analysis were conducted to analyze participants’ level of eHealth literacy about COVID-19 and its influencing factors. The results showed 52.2% of participants had relatively lower eHealth literacy regarding COVID-19 (eHealth literacy score ≤ 48). The scores of the information judgment dimension (3.09 ± 0.71) and information utilization dimension (3.18 ± 0.67) of the eHealth literacy scale were relatively lower. The logistics regression showed that sex, age, education level, level of uncertainty, having people around the respondent diagnosed with COVID-19, relationship with family, and relationship with others were associated to eHealth literacy (χ2 = 969.135, P < .001). The public’s eHealth literacy about COVID-19 needs to be improved, especially the ability to judge and utilize online information. Close collaboration among global health agencies, governments, healthcare institutions, and media is needed to provide reliable online information to the public. Interventions to improve eHealth literacy should take into account and accentuate the importance of sex, age, educational background, level of uncertainty, exposure to disease, and social support.

PMID:35470296 | DOI:10.1097/CIN.0000000000000921

J Epidemiol Community Health. 2022 Apr 25:jech-2022-218786. doi: 10.1136/jech-2022-218786. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Exposure to SARS-CoV-2, subsequent development of COVID-19 and death from COVID-19 may vary by occupation, and the risks may be higher for those categorised as ‘essential workers’.

METHODS: We estimated excess mortality by occupational group and sex separately for each month in 2020 and for the entire 12 months overall.

RESULTS: Mortality for all adults of working age was similar to the annual average over the previous 5 years. Monthly excess mortality peaked in April, when the number of deaths was 54.2% higher than expected and was lowest in December when deaths were 30.0% lower than expected.Essential workers had consistently higher excess mortality than other groups throughout 2020. There were also large differences in excess mortality between the categories of essential workers, with healthcare workers having the highest excess mortality and social care and education workers having the lowest. Excess mortality also varied widely between men and women, even within the same occupational group. Generally, excess mortality was higher in men.

CONCLUSIONS: In summary, excess mortality was consistently higher for essential workers throughout 2020, particularly for healthcare workers. Further research is needed to examine excess mortality by occupational group, while controlling for important confounders such as ethnicity and socioeconomic status. For non-essential workers, the lockdowns, encouragement to work from home and to maintain social distancing are likely to have prevented a number of deaths from COVID-19 and from other causes.

PMID:35470261 | DOI:10.1136/jech-2022-218786

J Epidemiol Community Health. 2022 Apr 25:jech-2021-218415. doi: 10.1136/jech-2021-218415. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The UK began an ambitious COVID-19 vaccination programme on 8 December 2020. This study describes variation in vaccination uptake by sociodemographic characteristics between December 2020 and August 2021.

METHODS: Using population-level administrative records linked to the 2011 Census, we estimated monthly first dose vaccination rates by age group and sociodemographic characteristics among adults aged 18 years or over in England. We also present a tool to display the results interactively.

RESULTS: Our sample included 35 223 466 adults. A lower percentage of males than females were vaccinated in the young and middle age groups (18-59 years) but not in the older age groups. Vaccination rates were highest among individuals of White British and Indian ethnic backgrounds and lowest among Black Africans (aged ≥80 years) and Black Caribbeans (18-79 years). Differences by ethnic group emerged as soon as vaccination roll-out commenced and widened over time. Vaccination rates were also lower among individuals who identified as Muslim, lived in more deprived areas, reported having a disability, did not speak English as their main language, lived in rented housing, belonged to a lower socioeconomic group, and had fewer qualifications.

CONCLUSION: We found inequalities in COVID-19 vaccination uptake rates by sex, ethnicity, religion, area deprivation, disability status, English language proficiency, socioeconomic position and educational attainment, but some of these differences varied by age group. Research is urgently needed to understand why these inequalities exist and how they can be addressed.

PMID:35470259 | DOI:10.1136/jech-2021-218415

Int J Sports Med. 2022 Apr 25. doi: 10.1055/a-1735-3407. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We investigated the effect of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on the probability of achieving the verification criterion to confirm that VO₂max was obtained in a sample of middle-aged to older adults. Data from twelve men and nine women (60.7±8.5 years, VO₂max: 34.8±9.4 mL/kg/min) were used for analysis. Participants had their VO₂max measured via a maximal graded exercise test and confirmed using a verification bout on a cycle ergometer. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the effect of CRF (VO₂max) on the probability a participant would successfully achieve the verification criterion. Odds ratios are reported to quantify the effect size. No statistically significant relationship was observed between CRF and achieving the verification criterion (β=.081, SE=.0619, Wald=1.420, p=.156). Estimated odds ratio for the effect of CRF on the verification criterion indicated an increase of 8% [Exp(β)=1.08, 95% CI (0.96, 1.22)] in the probability of achieving the verification criterion given a one unit increase in VO₂max. Each 1 mL/kg/min increase in VO₂max results in an 8% increase in the chance that an individual achieves the verification criterion confirming that VO₂max was obtained. Therefore, CRF is likely of practical significance and should be considered when deciding to use a verification trial.

PMID:35468653 | DOI:10.1055/a-1735-3407

Int J Sports Med. 2022 Apr 25. doi: 10.1055/a-1717-1798. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation may be an effective non-pharmacological intervention for improving endothelial function in coronary artery disease patients. Therefore, this systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to (a) estimate the training-induced effect on endothelial and vascular smooth muscle function, assessed by flow-mediated dilation and nitroglycerin-mediated dilation, respectively, in coronary artery disease patients; and to (b) study the influence of potential trial-level variables (i. e. study and intervention characteristics) on the training-induced effect on endothelial and vascular smooth muscle function. Electronic searches were performed in Pubmed, Scopus, and Embase up to February 2021. Random-effects models of standardised mean change were estimated. Heterogeneity analyses were performed by using the Chi ² test and I ² index. Our results showed that exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation significantly enhanced flow-mediated dilation (1.04 [95% confidence interval=0.76 to 1.31]) but did not significantly change nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (0.05 [95% confidence interval=-0.03 to 0.13]). Heterogeneity testing reached statistical significance (p<.001) with high inconsistency for flow-mediated dilation (I ²=92%). Nevertheless, none of the analysed variables influenced the training-induced effect on flow-mediated dilation. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation seems to be an effective therapeutic strategy for improving endothelial-dependent dilation in coronary artery disease patients, which may aid in the prevention of cardiovascular events.

PMID:35468652 | DOI:10.1055/a-1717-1798

ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec. 2022 Apr 25:1-10. doi: 10.1159/000524385. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: CD8+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in human’s immune tolerance. The study was aimed to assess the influence of budesonide nasal spray on CD8+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs and to evaluate their cellular functions in neutrophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNPs).

METHODS: Fifteen patients with neutrophilic CRSwNPs were enrolled and received physiological saline or budesonide nasal spray treatment (Saline or Budesonide group) for 3 months. Nasal tissue samples were obtained from normal subjects or those patients and cultured in vitro. CD8+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs were separated from normal or NP tissues and also cultured in vitro. Then interleukin (IL)-10 and its mRNA were evaluated in the above cell cultures. The cells were applied into NP cultures. Finally, myeloperoxidase (MPO), interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were assessed in the tissue cultures.

RESULTS: CD8+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs decreased in NP tissues. Budesonide administration did not enhance the percentage of these cells in polypoid tissues. IL-10 and its mRNA were increased in the above cell cultures from NPs. However, there were no statistical differences between the two treatments in the IL-10 expression. Additionally, levels of MPO, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and TNF-α were totally elevated in NP tissue cultures and reduced after the administration of CD8+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs. However, there were no significant differences in concentrations of these mediators between these two groups of the CD8+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs treatment in vitro.

CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that CD8+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs might regulate the neutrophilic inflammation, and budesonide nasal spray therapy could not ameliorate the inflammation in neutrophilic CRSwNPs.

PMID:35468610 | DOI:10.1159/000524385

Ophthalmologica. 2022 Apr 25. doi: 10.1159/000522504. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the incidence, risk factors, treatment, and outcomes associated with intravitreal triamcinolone-acetonide (TA) and dexamethasone-implant (Dex) induced ocular hypertension (OHT).

METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed 1549 TA and Dex administrations in 1075 eyes of 897 patients. Intraocular pressure (IOP) values were monitored for a period of 6-months following intravitreal injection(s) and patients were categorized as steroid-responders (SR): IOP ≥ 21mmHg, and non-responders (NR): IOP ≤ 20mmHg. Glaucoma patients, glaucoma suspects, uveitis, trauma, and less than one month IOP follow-up cases were excluded from the study. Incidence of IOP rise, time and magnitude of IOP rise, and its management procedures were studied. Ocular and systemic association with OHT incidence was investigated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.23 and p < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULT: 28% of TA and 17% of Dex administered eyes developed OHT. Male subjects and elderly people (greater than 40 years) are at higher risk for OHT following steroid treatment. A high percentage of IOP rise was observed at day-1 (41%) for TA-SR, and after 1-month (50%) among Dex-SR. IOP rise was found to be more severe (>30mmHg) for TA-SR compared to Dex-SR (p=0.006). 6% TA-SR required trabeculectomy with medically uncontrollable IOP. Myopia is a risk factor for secondary OHT, whereas diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia were protective of it.

CONCLUSION: 28% of TA and 17% of Dex administrations developed OHT. Early and severe IOP rise was more common in TA than among Dex administrations. Myopia is a risk for Dex-OHT.

PMID:35468616 | DOI:10.1159/000522504

Cardiology. 2022 Apr 25. doi: 10.1159/000524626. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The Amplatzer and Watchman left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) devices are the two most frequently used devices for left atrial appendage closure devices worldwide. This meta-analysis aims to compare the safety and efficacy of the two devices.

METHODS: We searched the PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library for studies up to 6 February 2022 that compared the safety and efficacy of the Amplatzer and Watchman devices.

RESULTS: Fifteen studies including 2,150 patients in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 2,526 patients in observational studies were included in the meta-analysis. Amplatzer device was associated with higher rates of major procedure-related complications (odds ratio [OR]: 1.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.45-2.74, P <0.0001) and device embolization (OR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.09-3.64, P =0.03). However, Amplatzer device had lower rates of total peridevice leak (PDL) (OR:0.48, 95% CI: 0.27-0.83, P =0.009), significant PDL (OR:0.27, 95% CI: 0.12-0.57, P =0.0007) and device-related thrombus (DRT) (OR:0.67, 95% CI: 0.48-0.95, P =0.02). No statistical differences were observed between the two devices in other safety and efficacy endpoints, such as pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, air embolism, vascular complications, ischemic stroke/ transient ischemic attack (TIA), hemorrhagic stroke, all-cause death, cardiovascular death and bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS: Amplatzer LAAC device was associated with higher rates of major procedure-related complications, especially in device embolization. Watchman LAAC device was associated with higher rates of PDL and DRT. There were no significant differences between two devices in ischemic stroke/TIA, hemorrhagic stroke, all-cause death, cardiovascular death and bleeding.

PMID:35468598 | DOI:10.1159/000524626