Tag: statistics

BMC Pediatr. 2022 May 12;22(1):273. doi: 10.1186/s12887-022-03341-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Poor diets, characterized by excess fat, sugar and sodium intakes, are considered to be one of the most important modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Diet patterns and intakes during adolescence may persist into adulthood and impact on risk for chronic disease later in life. We aimed to evaluate the dietary intake of obese adolescents and its relationship to cardiometabolic health including lipid status and glycemic control.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study of obese children aged 15 to < 18 years in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. All children had a medical history performed including a physical examination and fasting blood sample. Dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative recall food frequency questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression model was performed to determine the relationship between dietary intakes and cardiovascular disease risks and to adjust for potential confounders.

RESULTS: Of 179 adolescents, 101 (57.4%) were male and median age was 16.4 (15.0-17.9) years. The majority of adolescents (98%) had inadequate intake of fibre and exceeded intakes of total fat (65%) and total sugar (36%). There was statistically significant correlation found in the multivariable linear regression analysis between fibre intake and HDL cholesterol after adjusting for potential confounders (β = 0.165; p = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that there is a high proportion of obese Indonesian adolescents with poor dietary intakes. There was relationship observed between intake of nutrients of concern (fibre) and cardiometabolic risk factor among this sample of obese adolescents. Future research should examine overall dietary patterns in more detail among this population to elucidate the role of poor diet intakes in development of cardiovascular disease risk factors in young people transitioning into adulthood.

PMID:35549677 | DOI:10.1186/s12887-022-03341-y

BMC Public Health. 2022 May 12;22(1):948. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13363-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Approximately half of the Iranian population are women, and they play a vital role in the home. The women’s attitude can play a critical role in the safety of homes. Best of our knowledge, there is not a valid and reliable instrument to measure their attitude toward home safety. So, the present study aimed to design a psychometrics tool to assess women’s attitudes toward home safety.

METHODS: The researchers designed an instrument based on the home safety concept as the first instrument to measure housewives’ attitudes toward home safety. The developed instrument distributed among 686 women in Tabriz health centers. Content validity, confirmatory, and exploratory factor analysis were used to examine the construct validity, and Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest were employed to examine the reliability and reproducibility of the instrument.

RESULTS: In the face validity section, the impact score of all items was determined to be above 1.5. In the content validity section, 4 items were excluded from the 39 questionnaire items due to low Content Validity Ratio (CVR). The mean CVR of all items was 0.842. By conducting exploratory factor analysis, it was found that the questionnaire has six dimensions. Three questions were removed from the study due to lack of connection with other items. Also, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the questionnaire is equal to 0.924, which indicates the appropriate reliability of the instrument.

CONCLUSIONS: This study aimed to develop a questionnaire to assess the safety attitudes of housewives toward home safety. It was found that the prepared tool has acceptable validity and reliability.

PMID:35549687 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-022-13363-x

Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2022 May 12. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202110-2302OC. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

RATIONALE: Several Western studies have reported that participants with preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) have higher risks of airflow limitation (AFL) and death. However, evidence in East Asian populations is limited.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relation between PRISm and the risks of death and incident AFL in a Japanese population.

METHODS: A total of 3,032 community-dwelling Japanese participants aged ≥40 years were followed up for a median of 5.3 years by annual spirometry examinations. Participants were classified into lung function categories at baseline as follows: normal spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ≥0.70 and FEV1 ≥80% predicted), PRISm (≥0.70 and <80%), AFL Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 1 (<0.70 and ≥80%), and AFL GOLD 2-4 (<0.70 and <80%). Hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using a Cox proportional hazard model.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 131 participants died, 22 of whom died from cardiovascular disease, and 218 participants developed AFL. When examining the prognosis of each baseline pulmonary function category, participants with PRISm had higher risks of all-cause death (HR 2.20 [95%CI: 1.35 to 3.59]) and cardiovascular death (HR 4.07 [1.07 to 15.42]) than those with normal spirometry after adjusting for confounders. Moreover, the multivariable-adjusted risk of incident AFL was greater in participants with PRISm than in those with normal spirometry (HR 2.48 [1.83 to 3.36]).

CONCLUSIONS: PRISm was associated with higher risks of all-cause and cardiovascular death and a greater risk of the development of AFL in a Japanese community.

PMID:35549659 | DOI:10.1164/rccm.202110-2302OC

J Am Coll Health. 2022 May 12:1-9. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2060709. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study examined the effects of a college mindfulness course on vital-signs and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) scores. Participants: Two independent groups of 20 students were enrolled in the mindfulness course during the Fall 2018 (Trial 1) and Spring 2019 (Trial 2) semesters. Methods: Blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration rate were recorded before and after in-class mindfulness meditations several times throughout each semester. FFMQ scores were recorded at the beginning and conclusion of each semester. Results: Statistical analyses indicated that 20 minutes of mindfulness meditation significantly decreased respiration rate (both trials) and heart rate (Trial 2) for female students. There were significant changes in the FFMQ mean scores for “non-react,” “observe,” “act aware,” and “non-judge.” Conclusions: These results suggest that mindfulness meditation may be beneficial for students to enhance their well-being. Recommendations are provided to further examine the implications of consistent mindfulness practices for college students.

PMID:35549653 | DOI:10.1080/07448481.2022.2060709

Acta Otolaryngol. 2022 May 12:1-6. doi: 10.1080/00016489.2022.2071987. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The effects of graft thickness on tympanoplasty is uncertain.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of endoscopic tympanoplasty using different thicknesses of autologous tissues.

METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 186 patients who received type I tympanoplasty, divided into three main groups based of grafting material: perichondrium (A), cartilage-perichondrium (B), or cartilage-perichondrium plus additional perichondrium (C). Group A was subdivided based on whether the placement was inside (A1) or outside (A2) of the malleus. The hearing improvement, graft success rate, and surgery duration were analysed.

RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed significant hearing improvement in the three main groups (p < .001); recovery in group A occurred the earliest. Six months postoperatively, group A1 showed significantly greater hearing recovery compared with groups B and C (p < .05). There were no statistical differences the other groups (p > .05) or in the graft success rate among the three main groups (p = .235). The surgery duration of group A was significantly longer than that of groups B and C (p < .001).

CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest that graft thickness affects hearing recovery; however, graft thickness does not affect the rate of grafting success. Endoscopic transplantation of the perichondrium is more difficult and requires more time.

PMID:35549633 | DOI:10.1080/00016489.2022.2071987

J Am Coll Health. 2022 May 12:1-7. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2068957. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To comparatively analyze nutrient intake and dietary adequacy on weekdays (WKDs) and weekends (WKNs) among undergraduate students. Participants: University students (N = 210), 18-30 years old. Methods: A two-day food record was used. Intake of energy, macronutrients, micronutrients and fiber were calculated, without and with an adjustment for 2000 kcal of energy and compared to the corresponding nutritional requirements. Results: Energy and macronutrients’ intake was higher on WKNs (1,776.84 ± 40.68 vs. 2,025.76 ± 52.46 kcal; p < .05). There was a high predominance of hypocaloric diet on both WKDs (72%) and WKNs (57%). A low prevalence (<50%) of favorable intake level of most micronutrients and fiber was found on WKDs, WKNs, or both. There was a lower favorable intake of vitamins A, C, iron, and magnesium on WKNs, after adjusting for 2000 kcal. Conclusion: Undergraduate students showed an unfavorable nutrient intake and poor dietary quality on WKNs. Interventions that promote healthy eating are needed.

PMID:35549621 | DOI:10.1080/07448481.2022.2068957

Expert Rev Vaccines. 2022 May 12. doi: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2077195. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The Latin American Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (SLIPE by its Spanish acronyms) is working to understand the current situation, gaps, and opportunities for traceability of the quality vaccination process in Latin America and the Caribbean.

AREAS COVERED: On September 24th and 25th, a Latin American forum of experts in immunization programs was held through the Zoom platform; the topics discussed included: computerized systems for recording immunizations, vaccination programs traceability, challenges, and information systems for the integrated management of vaccination.

EXPERT OPINION: Latin American countries have transitioned from having a nominal registration system to a nominal tracking system, with many of them not migrating their platforms to new technologies; therefore, the low-quality data, fragmented databases, and slow information traffic present a challenge that must be taken on.

PMID:35549597 | DOI:10.1080/14760584.2022.2077195

Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2022 May 13:207640221094957. doi: 10.1177/00207640221094957. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary care physicians (PCPs) in rural township health centers are the most easily accessible doctors to the residents in rural China, which covers 35% of the population. High prevalence of depression was reported among rural left-behind elderly and children as many workers had migrated to urban cities.

AIM: This study explored mental health care provision by PCPs in rural China and the association with their training background.

METHODS: Rural township health centers in both developed and less developed counties of Zhejiang Province, China were chosen as the study sites. A total of 697 PCPs completed questionnaires between December 2019 and January 2020, and the number of valid questionnaires was 673, with a valid response rate of 79.3%.

RESULTS: The rural PCPs reported a median range of seeing 1 to 5 mental health patients per week. Over two-thirds (68.2%) of the respondents had never received any training on treating common mental health disorders (depression and anxiety) while 20.3% received at most 2 days of training; 6.4% received 3 to 20 days of training; and 5.1% received over 20 days of training. PCPs with mental health training were significantly associated with better mental health care in terms of confidence and practice characteristics (e.g. having patients who brought up mental health issues, providing follow-up), while years of practice made a difference in practice but not confidence.

CONCLUSIONS: Training is the key determinant of the practice of mental health care by the PCPs in rural China. Our findings have implications for national policy to target two-thirds of rural PCPs who received no mental health training.

PMID:35549586 | DOI:10.1177/00207640221094957

Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2022 May 12:1-7. doi: 10.1080/15563650.2022.2072315. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Historically, the first step in treating cyanide (CN^–) toxicity utilized antidotes to induce methemoglobinemia. This is concerning in patients who are already hypoxemic or have elevated carboxyhemoglobin. Hydroxocobalamin (OHCbl) is now the first-line antidote for CN^– toxicity and is not known to induce methemoglobinemia. We observed elevated methemoglobin (MetHb) levels in several patients treated with OHCbl and sought to investigate the incidence of MetHb formation following administration of OHCbl.

METHODS: Chart review: A single-center, retrospective case series of patients who received 5 or 10 g of hydroxocobalamin from 01/01/2011 through 04/30/2019. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. In-vitro study: Discarded blood was separated into whole blood and plasma samples. OHCbl and normal saline was added to reach 0×, 1×, 2×, and 4× peak therapeutic concentrations and analyzed at times 0, 2, and 4 h after administration.

RESULTS: Chart review: Twenty-seven cases of OHCbl administration were identified. The median age was 53 years (IQR 38 – 64) and 20 (74.1%) were male. Exposure to a house fire or smoke inhalation was the reason for OHCbl administration in 21 (77.8%) patients. Five (18.5%) patients received 10 g of OHCbl while the rest received 5 g. Six (22.2%) patients developed methemoglobinemia, all after 5 g OHCbl administration; four had been exposed to fire and smoke, two received the medication for severe acidosis of unknown etiology not related to fire or smoke. The median peak level was 7.1% (IQR 2.2 – 16.4%) at a median time of 11.4 h post-administration. Two patients received methylene blue (MB), neither responded. Death occurred in 17 (63%) cases. In-vitro study: We observed a dose dependent elevation in total hemoglobin but did not detect any increase in MetHb.

CONCLUSION: We observed a noteworthy temporal association between the formation of methemoglobinemia and the administration of hydroxocobalamin. This does not appear to be an artifact of the CO-oximeters. This could have profound implications for patients who are already hypoxemic or have impaired oxygen carrying capacity from carboxyhemoglobin.

PMID:35549585 | DOI:10.1080/15563650.2022.2072315

Stat Methods Med Res. 2022 May 12:9622802221097211. doi: 10.1177/09622802221097211. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In medical research, the receiver operating characteristic curve is widely used to evaluate accuracy of a continuous biomarker. The area under this curve is known as an index for overall performance of the biomarker. This article develops three new estimators of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in ranked set sampling. The first estimator is obtained under normality assumption. The two other estimators are constructed by applying a Box-Cox transformation on data, and then using either a parametric estimator or a kernel-density-based estimator. A simulation study is carried out to compare the proposed estimators with those available in the literature. It emerges that the new estimators offer some advantages in specific situations. Application of the methods is demonstrated using real data in the context of medicine.

PMID:35549545 | DOI:10.1177/09622802221097211