Tag: statistics

Environ Sci Process Impacts. 2025 Jul 24. doi: 10.1039/d5em00181a. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Background: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disease caused by genetic and environmental factors, but the contribution of urine volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the risk of COPD remains unclear. This study aims to use the NHANES data to explore the potential value of urine VOCs in predicting COPD. Methods: an epidemiological study including 782 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2018 was performed to evaluate the association between urine VOCs and COPD. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) analysis were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of urine VOCs on COPD. Results: seven urine VOCs were associated with an increased risk of COPD [odds ratio (OR>1; p < 0.05)]. The dose-response relationship was also statistically significant between them. Meanwhile, urine VOCs can lead to the occurrence of COPD through the inflammatory effects. The area under the ROC curves for the combined urine VOC models as a predictor for COPD was 0.90. Conclusions: association between urine VOCs and an increased risk of COPD was found in the NHANES data. Inflammatory factors play an important role in the association of urine VOCs and COPD. In addition, urine VOCs could be useful in predicting COPD risk. More studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms and clinical application values underlying the association between urine VOCs and COPD.

PMID:40704434 | DOI:10.1039/d5em00181a

Br J Dermatol. 2025 Jul 24:ljaf299. doi: 10.1093/bjd/ljaf299. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40704386 | DOI:10.1093/bjd/ljaf299

Tanaffos. 2024 Mar;23(3):266-279.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Using Health-related quality of life (HRQL) in chronic patients with severe respiratory insufficiency (SRI) requires a valid instrument. Hence, this study aimed to translate and validate the Persian version of the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency Questionnaire in chronic patients with severe respiratory insufficiency.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this methodological study, the original version of the HRQL questionnaire in chronic patients with SRI was translated based on the approach presented by Wild et al. Face validity, content validity such as content validity index (CVI) and content validity ratio (CVR), convergent, and discriminant validity were evaluated. Moreover, construct validity evaluation was conducted by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA & CFA).Reliability was also evaluated by calculating Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). SPSS-16 and AMOS-24 software were used for data analysis.

RESULTS: The target group approved the face validity of the questionnaire and the content validity index was 0.94. In total, 500 chronic patients with severe respiratory insufficiency participated in the construct validity. Seven factors were extracted in exploratory factor analysis as respiratory complaints, physical functioning, social relationship, anxiety, attendant symptoms and sleep, social functioning, and psychological well-being. These factors explained 73.91% of the total variance of the concept of HRQL in chronic patients with SRI. All factors confirmed in confirmatory factor analysis based on model fit indices [Comparative Fit Index (CFI)=0.94, Goodness of fit index (GFI)=0.94, Minimum Discrepancy Function by Degrees of Freedom divided (CMIN/DF) =2.99, and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA)=0.01]. Convergent and discriminant validity were also confirmed. Moreover, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.84 and intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.82-0.96 with 15-day intervals confirmed the internal consistency of the instrument.

CONCLUSION: According to the findings of the present study, the Persian version of the SRI questionnaire, with 7 subscales and 40 items, is a valid and reliable instrument to assess the HRQL in chronic patients with SRI.

PMID:40704351 | PMC:PMC12281339

Front Nutr. 2025 Jul 7;12:1477992. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1477992. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: It has been proven that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and impaired bone metabolism. However, to the best of our knowledge, neither the relationship between indices of bone turnover in adolescent girls was examined, nor were lean and overweight PCOS young females compared in this regard, which were the aims of our study.

METHODS: Thirty-nine PCOS subjects, aged 14-18 years, were assigned to one of the two groups: Ov/Ob (overweight/obese group, n = 14) and lean (non-overweight/non-obese group, n = 25). Fasting blood samples were collected to assess bone turnover, inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal markers. Basic anthropometric and biochemical data were also obtained.

RESULTS: In Ov/Ob young females, concentrations of bone turnover markers, GlaOC, GluOC, and CTX-I (selective bone resorption marker), were lower than in lean PCOSs. However, this difference was statistically significant only for GlaOC. The serum activity of bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), a bone formation index, tended to be higher in the Ov/Ob than in lean PCOS patients, although not significantly. Additionally, we observed an inverse association between low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, androgen levels (total testosterone and/or DHEA-S), and BAP and/or GlaOC in both lean and Ov/Ob groups, together with a positive association between Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and BAP. Moreover, fasting glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR positively correlated with GluOC and BAP in lean girls.

DISCUSSION: Our outcomes suggest a potential negative interaction between bone markers and immune-hormonal abnormalities featuring lean and Ov/Ob adolescent PCOS girls. Moreover, these findings suggest a positive interaction between bone metabolism and total antioxidant capacity, and insulin and glucose management exists in the body. Although these findings require further investigation, all possible preventive measures should be taken to lower inflammation, oxidative stress, and androgen levels, also keeping bone well-being/homeostasis in mind.

PMID:40704316 | PMC:PMC12284499 | DOI:10.3389/fnut.2025.1477992

Front Nutr. 2025 Jul 9;12:1615990. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1615990. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adoption of conservation agriculture technologies (CATs) has emerged as a strategy to improve farm productivity and achieve food security in many parts of the world.

AIM: This study aimed to assess the effect of CAT adoption on food production and security.

METHODS: This quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in the Vibangalala Extension Planning Area (EPA) in Mzimba district, Northern Malawi. Data was collected using structured questionnaires. The data were entered in SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics included frequency, percentage, weighted percentage, means, standard deviations, and standard error mean. Inferential statistics included a t-test and a linear regression model, with the value of p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

FINDINGS: The study found that households that adopted CATs have high food production and experience food security compared to non-adopters. Adoption of CATs significantly boosts production, with adopters experiencing lower food insecurity and better dietary diversity than non-adopters.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The study confirms that adopting conservation agricultural technologies is integral to improving agricultural production, but remains entangled in disparities related to gender, farm size, and education. Efforts should be made to ensure equity and equality in conservation agricultural technology adoption to improve food security for all.

PMID:40704312 | PMC:PMC12283979 | DOI:10.3389/fnut.2025.1615990

Front Nutr. 2025 Jul 9;12:1594656. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1594656. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Calcium, a vital nutrient for the human body, is indispensable for keeping our bones strong and managing cell function. A diet low in calcium (DLC) is a key player in the formation of numerous health issues. This research delved into the most recent datasets acquired via the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) report to uncover the worldwide impact of DLC.

METHODS: Utilizing the GBD 2021 database, this research examined the association of DLC with disease burden, covering colorectal and prostate cancers. To quantify disease burden and track its temporal variations, key indicators were employed. These included deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR), and the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC). The analysis broke down results by sex, age brackets, Socio-demographic Index (SDI) categories, and geographic regions. To examine potential links between disease burden and socioeconomic factors, Pearson’s correlation method was applied. Furthermore, Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) modeling was applied to forecast trends spanning 2022-2050.

RESULTS: From 1990 to 2021, global colon and rectum cancer (CRC)-related deaths tied to DLC rose from 57,363 to 89,089, while the ASMR decreased from 1.54 to 1.06 per 100,000 [EAPC = -1.33 (95% CI: -1.37 to -1.29)]. DALYs increased from 1,512,762 to 2,128,939, and the ASDR declined from 37.04 to 24.7 per 100,000 [EAPC = -1.45 (95% CI: -1.50 to -1.40)]. The burden of CRC tended to escalate with age, and it disproportionately affected women more than men. However, the impact on women diminished more rapidly over time. Prostate cancer and DLC showed a negative directional trend but lacked statistical significance. CRC burden showed a negative correlation with SDI, while prostate cancer burden had a positive association.

CONCLUSION: DLC significantly increases the incidence of CRC, while its impact on prostate cancer incidence is relatively minor and shows a negative correlation. Both phenomena are closely associated with socioeconomic development. The research yields essential data to develop focused dietary interventions and cancer-prevention policies.

PMID:40704308 | PMC:PMC12283273 | DOI:10.3389/fnut.2025.1594656

Front Nutr. 2025 Jul 9;12:1606188. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1606188. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in coffee’s impact on cardiovascular health. As dyslipidemia is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and coffee may influence lipid metabolism, exploring the association between coffee consumption and serum lipid profile may provide further insights into coffee’s cardiovascular effects and help inform dietary recommendations for patients with cardiovascular disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2020. The exposure variable was the daily coffee consumption, measured in cups, and the outcome variables were serum lipid profile components, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Weighted multiple linear regression, subgroup and interaction analyses, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression were used to evaluate the associations. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the results.

RESULTS: Each additional cup of coffee consumed per day was associated with a 1.23 mg/dl increase in TC (95% CI: 0.68, 1.77) and a 1.22 mg/dl increase in LDL-C (95% CI: 0.77, 1.67). In the categorical analysis, among participants consuming ≥3 cups/day, each additional cup of coffee was linked to an increase of 8.45 mg/dl in TC (95% CI: 4.94, 11.96) and 7.86 mg/dl in LDL-C (95% CI: 5.01, 10.72), compared with non-drinkers. In females, HDL-C levels rose with coffee consumption up to 2.6 cups/day, after which they began to decline, showing an inverted U-shaped association. In males, a similar non-linear trend was observed for TG, with levels peaking at 3.0 cups/day before decreasing.

CONCLUSION: Coffee consumption exerts both beneficial and adverse effects on serum lipid profile. While it is positively associated with elevated TC and LDL-C levels, its relationships with HDL-C and TG are more complex and gender-specific. In females, HDL-C increased with intake up to 2.6 cups/day and declined thereafter, forming an inverted U-shaped pattern. In males, TG followed a similar trend, peaking at 3.0 cups/day. Although these changes were statistically significant, their clinical relevance may vary depending on individual cardiovascular risk profiles.

PMID:40704303 | PMC:PMC12283274 | DOI:10.3389/fnut.2025.1606188

China Econ Rev. 2025 Oct;93:102478. doi: 10.1016/j.chieco.2025.102478. Epub 2025 Jun 14.

ABSTRACT

This paper attempts to provide one of the first population-based causal estimates of the effect of air pollution on suicidal ideation-a key precursor to suicide attempt and completion-among school-age children. We use daily variations in the local wind direction as instruments to address endogeneity in pollution exposure. Matching a unique risk behavior survey of 55,000 students from 273 schools with comprehensive data on air pollutants and weather conditions according to the exact date and location of schooling, our findings indicate that a 1% decline in daily PM2.5 is associated with a 0.36% reduction in the probability of suicidal ideation. Moreover, the dose-response relationship reveals that the marginal effects increase significantly and non-linearly with elevated concentration of PM2.5. The effect is particularly pronounced among younger, male, students from low-educated families, and students with lower grades.

PMID:40704300 | PMC:PMC12281585 | DOI:10.1016/j.chieco.2025.102478

Cureus. 2025 Jun 23;17(6):e86617. doi: 10.7759/cureus.86617. eCollection 2025 Jun.

ABSTRACT

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major global cause of morbidity and mortality, driving ongoing improvements in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Drug-eluting stents (DES) have largely replaced bare-metal stents (BMS) due to superior performance in reducing restenosis and the need for repeat revascularization. This systematic review compares the efficacy and long-term safety of DES versus BMS in patients undergoing PCI. A total of 13 studies, including randomized controlled trials and observational studies, were included, covering diverse populations and follow-up periods ranging from 1 to 14 years. Primary outcomes assessed were all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), myocardial infarction (MI), and target lesion revascularization (TLR). DES, particularly second-generation devices, were consistently associated with lower rates of MACE, MI, and TLR compared to BMS. Everolimus-eluting stents (EES) showed the most favorable safety profile regarding stent thrombosis. Secondary outcomes included in-stent restenosis (ISR) and bleeding risks. Notably, the benefits of DES were more pronounced in patients with diabetes and complex coronary anatomy. Some studies suggested gender-based differences favoring DES in women, though subgroup findings were exploratory and not always powered for statistical comparison. A few long-term studies observed a narrowing of the efficacy gap between DES and BMS beyond 10 years, though the clinical relevance of this remains limited. Overall, the findings support the continued use of DES as the preferred option in most PCI settings, with individualized decisions based on lesion complexity, comorbidities, and patient adherence to dual antiplatelet therapy. Continued innovation in stent design and long-term patient monitoring remains essential to optimizing CAD outcomes.

PMID:40704276 | PMC:PMC12286641 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.86617

Cureus. 2025 Jun 22;17(6):e86560. doi: 10.7759/cureus.86560. eCollection 2025 Jun.

ABSTRACT

Objective The purpose of this study was to better understand the impact of a preexisting diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on patient hospital outcomes in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in comparison to traditional ACS risk factors. Methods This retrospective study protocol included 673 patients hospitalized with ACS in the HCA Healthcare West Florida Division from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2023. Analysis via logistic regression and negative binomial regression compared associations between patients with ACS as primary diagnostic codes during their hospital admissions who also had RA, considering demographics like age, sex, and race. Patient encounters and diagnoses were identified using ICD-10 codes. Regression models were used for our analysis due to the straightforward computation, increased reproducibility, ability to use both categorical and continuous variables, and capability to convert diagnostic codes into binary variables. Traditional risk factors for ACS were also included in multivariate analyses. These included current tobacco use, former tobacco use, alcohol use disorder, elevated BMI, hyperlipidemia (HLD), and diabetes mellitus (DM). Pregnant patients, patients below 18 years of age, patients missing demographic information, and patients with other autoimmune conditions were excluded from the study. Results For RA, the odds of in-hospital mortality were not significantly 0.779 times as likely (p-value 0.2252, 95% CI (0.520, 1.167)), and 30-day readmission odds were not significantly 0.948 times as likely (p-value 0.5671, 95% CI (0.789, 1.139)). RA resulted in a 1.034-factor statistically insignificant increase in length of stay (LOS) (p-value 0.3369, 95% CI (0.965, 1.108)). For the traditional risk factors, odds of in-hospital mortality were 1.071 times as likely for every one-year increase in age (p-value <0.0001, 95% CI (1.065, 1.077)), 1.285 times as likely for current smokers (p-value 0.0020, 95% CI (1.096, 1.507)), 0.970 times as likely for every one-point increase in BMI (p-value <0.0001, 95% CI (0.961, 0.980)), 0.647 times as likely for patients with HLD (p-value <0.0001, 95% CI (0.576, 0.726)), and 1.349 times as likely for patients with DM (p-value <0.0001, 95% CI (1.212, 1.502)). Age, DM, and alcohol use disorder resulted in statistically significant increased 30-day readmission. Age, male sex, Black race, other non-Caucasian races, former tobacco use, current tobacco use, DM, and alcohol use disorder resulted in statistically significant increased LOS. Conclusions RA was surprisingly associated with decreased in-hospital mortality and 30-day readmission in the setting of ACS despite an associated increased LOS, which needs to be investigated further. In terms of statistical significance, there was no difference in these outcomes in patients with RA versus patients without RA. HLD was unexpectedly associated with a significant decrease in in-hospital mortality, which requires further investigation. Meanwhile, the traditional risk factors, except BMI and HLD, continued to show worse outcomes with statistical significance in the same patient population. Longitudinal follow-up and further clinical investigation of these patient encounters will likely shed more light on these associations. This knowledge may prevent over-utilization of time, equipment, and resources when addressing hospitalized patients with RA presenting with ACS, particularly in acute care settings.

PMID:40704253 | PMC:PMC12284236 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.86560