Tag: statistics

Prim Care Diabetes. 2021 Oct 26:S1751-9918(21)00186-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pcd.2021.10.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To establish two scoring models for identifying individuals at risk of developing Impaired Glucose Metabolism (IGM) or Type two Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in Qatari.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 2000 individuals, from Qatar BioBank, was evaluated to determine features predictive of T2DM and IGM. Another sample of 1000 participants was obtained for external validation of the models. Several scoring models screening for T2DM were evaluated and compared to the model proposed by this study.

RESULTS: Age, gender, waist-to-hip-ratio, history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia, and levels of educational were statistically associated with the risk of T2DM and constituted the Qatar diabetes mellitus risk score (QDMRISK). Along with, the 6 aforementioned variables, the IGM model showed that BMI was statistically significant. The QDMRISK performed well with area under the curve (AUC) 0.870 and .815 in the development and external validation cohorts, respectively. The QDMRISK showed overall better accuracy and calibration compared to other evaluated scores. The IGM model showed good accuracy and calibration, with AUCs .796 and .774 in the development and external validation cohorts, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: This study developed Qatari-specific diabetes and IGM risk scores to identify high risk individuals and can guide the development of a nationwide primary prevention program.

PMID:34716113 | DOI:10.1016/j.pcd.2021.10.002

J Geriatr Oncol. 2021 Oct 26:S1879-4068(21)00239-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jgo.2021.10.007. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To assess the toxicity patterns and effectiveness of doublet chemotherapy when administered at reduced doses of 20% (FOLFOX or FOLFIRI) in combination with anti-EGFR antibodies (cetuximab or panitumumab) in old, vulnerable patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study of RAS and BRAF wild-type, vulnerable patients aged ≥70 years with previously untreated mCRC. The primary endpoint was safety, and secondary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS: One hundred and eighteen patients were collected from 14 selected Italian centres. The median age was 75 (range, 70-85). Geriatric screening by G8 tool gave a score ≤ 14 in all patients. In total, 75 and 43 patients received FOLFOX or FOLFIRI, respectively, in combination with panitumumab (53%) or cetuximab (47%). The overall incidence of grade (G) 3-4 neutropenia was 11.8%, and for skin rash 11%. The most frequent adverse events were G1-2 skin rash (49.1%), G1-2 diarrhea (21.1%) and G1-2 nausea (17.7%). The ORR was 57.3%. Stable disease was observed in 29.1% of patients, with a disease control rate of 86.4%. With a median follow-up of 18 months, the median PFS was 10.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.5-11.4), while the median OS was 18.0 months (95% CI: 16.0-19.9). No statistically significant difference was observed between the regimens in terms of ORR, PFS (p = 0.908), and OS (p = 0.832).

CONCLUSION: This study shows that with an appropriate design, including reduced doses, vulnerable older patients best tolerate chemotherapy when combined with anti-EGFR antibodies.

PMID:34716122 | DOI:10.1016/j.jgo.2021.10.007

Int Orthod. 2021 Oct 26:S1761-7227(21)00125-X. doi: 10.1016/j.ortho.2021.10.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of alveolar decortications (AD) closer and farther from the tooth on Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) and root resorption.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar rats (age 17 weeks) were used in the study. Three groups were formed by randomly dividing the rats into: 1) Control Group (N=8): OTM (14 days) without any surgical insult; 2) Near Group (N=8) OTM (14 days)+Alveolar Decortications (AD) adjacent to roots of the maxillary first molar; 3) Far Group (N=8) OTM (14 days)+AD 5mm away from the roots of the maxillary first molar. OTM was performed using a closed coil Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) spring to apply a mesial force on maxillary first molars of 8-10 grams. AD was performed with high-speed quarter round bur on the palatal aspect of alveolar bone. The rats were euthanized after 2 weeks of OTM and microfocus computed tomography and histological analysis were performed.

RESULTS: Near-AD and Far-AD groups exhibited significantly increased OTM and reduction of Bone volume fraction compared to control. The root volume was significantly decreased (increased root resorption) in the Near-AD group. Histological analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Alveolar decortications lead to a significant increase in the rate of OTM. Increased root resorption was observed when the alveolar decortications were performed close to the maxillary molar.

PMID:34716100 | DOI:10.1016/j.ortho.2021.10.002

Stat Appl Genet Mol Biol. 2021 Oct 29. doi: 10.1515/sagmb-2021-0047. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The human gut microbiome has been shown to be associated with a variety of human diseases, including cancer, metabolic conditions and inflammatory bowel disease. Current approaches for detecting microbiome associations are limited by relying on specific measures of ecological distance, or only allowing for the detection of associations with individual bacterial species, rather than the whole microbiome. In this work, we develop a novel hierarchical Bayesian model for detecting global microbiome associations. Our method is not dependent on a choice of distance measure, and is able to incorporate phylogenetic information about microbial species. We perform extensive simulation studies and show that our method allows for consistent estimation of global microbiome effects. Additionally, we investigate the performance of the model on two real-world microbiome studies: a study of microbiome-metabolome associations in inflammatory bowel disease, and a study of associations between diet and the gut microbiome in mice. We show that we can use the method to reliably detect associations in real-world datasets with varying numbers of samples and covariates.

PMID:34714989 | DOI:10.1515/sagmb-2021-0047

J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2021 Oct 29. doi: 10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0388. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common nosocomial infection in patients requiring mechanical ventilation in intensive care units (ICUs). VAP is associated with delayed extubation, prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs and mortality rates. The aims of this study to evaluate the level of knowledge for the prevention of VAP among healthcare workers (HCWs) in ICUs and to assess their knowledge in relation to their socio-demographic characteristics.

METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was conducted to assess HCWs’ knowledge of the guidelines for prevention of VAP in the ICUs of public and private hospitals in Hodeida city, Yemen. Around 140 self-administered multiple-choice questionnaires were distributed between April and July 2017.

RESULTS: A total of 120 (85.6%) HCWs completed questionnaire were obtained (20 physicians, 20 anesthesia technicians and 80 nurses) in this study. The total mean score of the HCWs’ knowledge was low (41 ± 18). A statistically significant difference was found in the HCWs’ knowledge scores according to their specialties and gender. Anesthesia technicians had the highest knowledge score followed by physicians and nurses (52.2 ± 16.2, 45.6 ± 21.2 and 37.1 ± 16.9, respectively, p=0.002). Males had higher scores than females (Median [IQR] 4 [3-5] vs. 3 [2-4], p<0.001). Participants who received information about the prevention of VAP had better knowledge than those who did not (46.2 ± 17.7 vs. 36.8 ± 17.3, p=0.006).

CONCLUSIONS: HCWs had a low knowledge level of the guidelines for the prevention of VAP, which may affect their practice. HCWs’ knowledge was affected by their previous received information that increases the necessity to provide them with regular in-service education and training programs.

PMID:34714992 | DOI:10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0388

Int J Biostat. 2021 Oct 27. doi: 10.1515/ijb-2020-0104. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This paper considers the problem of semi-parametric proportional hazards model fitting where observed survival times contain event times and also interval, left and right censoring times. Although this is not a new topic, many existing methods suffer from poor computational performance. In this paper, we adopt a more versatile penalized likelihood method to estimate the baseline hazard and the regression coefficients simultaneously. The baseline hazard is approximated using basis functions such as M-splines. A penalty is introduced to regularize the baseline hazard estimate and also to ease dependence of the estimates on the knots of the basis functions. We propose a Newton-MI (multiplicative iterative) algorithm to fit this model. We also present novel asymptotic properties of our estimates, allowing for the possibility that some parameters of the approximate baseline hazard may lie on the parameter space boundary. Comparisons of our method against other similar approaches are made through an intensive simulation study. Results demonstrate that our method is very stable and encounters virtually no numerical issues. A real data application involving melanoma recurrence is presented and an R package ‘survivalMPL’ implementing the method is available on R CRAN.

PMID:34714982 | DOI:10.1515/ijb-2020-0104

Dermatol Ther. 2021 Oct 29. doi: 10.1111/dth.15182. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a progressive hair loss disease that occurs with the effect of androgens and genetic predisposition. Hair thinning and hair loss affect people’s self-confidence and self-image more than is thought. In these patients, platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment is used in addition to the limited medical treatments available. However, there is a lack of standardization for the application method of PRP treatment in the literature. The number of studies in which objective data and hair analysis parameters were revealed to demonstrate the effectiveness of PRP treatment is also very limited. In this study, it was aimed to show the efficacy of PRP treatment with trichoscan data in AGA patients and to compare dermapen-mediated microneedling and point by point technique injection application methods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 62 male AGA patients, aged between 18-55 years, who applied to the University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, and ranged from Norwood-Hamilton Stage II-V. The patients were randomly divided into two groups and one group was given microneedling with a dermapen, an electrical device that makes automatic needling, and the other group was given manual injection with point by point technique with a 30 gauge needle. Before the first treatment, each patient underwent a trichoscan hair analysis evaluation. A total of four sessions of PRP treatment were performed, as three sessions at two week intervals and the fourth session one month after the last session.

RESUTLS: The mean age of the cases was 33.13±6.36. According to Norwood-Hamilton staging, stage III was detected with the highest rate of 46% (29). Hair pulling test became significantly negative after treatment (p<0.05). Statistically significant differences were found in trichoscan analysis parameters for hair count, hair density, terminal hair count, and terminal hair density in both groups compared to pre-treatment (p<0.05). Between the groups, a statistically significant difference was found between the averages of anagen hair, telogen hair and hair length in the dermapen treated group compared to the group treated with the point by point technique.

CONCLUSION: In our study, the efficacy of PRP treatment for AGA patients was demonstrated by trichoscan parameters. Among the PRP application methods, dermapen-mediated application was found to be superior to the point by point technique in terms of anagen, telogen and average hair length parameters. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:34714961 | DOI:10.1111/dth.15182

J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio). 2021 Oct 29. doi: 10.1111/vec.13153. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of candidate attributes and residency training factors with success on the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) board certification examination and to develop multivariable models of first-attempt success.

DESIGN: Prospective survey-based study.

SETTING: Post-assessment ACVECC examination candidates.

ANIMALS: None.

INTERVENTIONS: None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Comprehensive surveys were distributed to ACVECC examination candidates in 2016 to 2018 after completion of their assessments, but prior to publication of examination results. Unique anonymous candidate identification numbers were used to match survey responses to outcome data from the office of the ACVECC Executive Secretary. After curation to retain only the first response from each candidate, there were 97 unique candidate responses available for analysis. Univariate analyses identified multiple factors associated with first-attempt success and multiple differences between academic and private practice residency programs. Multivariable logistic regression modeling suggested that 5 factors were independently associated with first-attempt success on the ACVECC examination, specifically younger age, more weeks of study prior to the examination, training at a facility with more ACVECC Diplomates, training at a facility with more ACVECC residents, and having no requirement to manage both Emergency Room (ER) and Critical Care (CC) cases simultaneously.

CONCLUSIONS: Numerous resident and training center factors are associated with success in the ACVECC board certification examination. Residents and training centers might be able to use these data to enhance training, but caution must be exercised because these data are associative only.

PMID:34714977 | DOI:10.1111/vec.13153

Med J (Ft Sam Houst Tex). 2021 Oct-Dec;(PB 8-21-10/11/12):9-17.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Purpose: The purpose of this Observational Retrospective Cohort is to compare opioid prescription pattern trends from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2017 amongst the Dental Health Activity (DENTAC), Obstetrics/Gynecology (OBGYN), Emergency Room (ER), and Family Medicine departments assigned to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, TX. In addition, as a secondary outcome, the type of opioids prescribed will be explored during the same time frame.

METHODS: An Observational Retrospective Cohort Longitudinal Archival Medical Chart Review was executed by a report collection from the Pharmacy Data Transaction Service (PDTS). Data analysis was developed with a Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in order to compare means across multiple variables based on repeated observations. By utilizing a mix of factors model, variables within each department (Test of Within-Subjects Effects) and between departments (Test of Between-Subjects Effects) were analyzed.

RESULTS: The statistical analysis demonstrated no significant differences within the number of pills dispensed from the DENTAC and OBGYN departments. A moderate decrease in prescription patterns at the Emergency Department and extreme decrease at the Family Medicine Department was reported. No significant differences between the number of patients and number of prescriptions dispensed were found within each department over the 8-year period. The statistical analysis showed significant differences between the Family Medicine and Emergency departments in comparison with the DENTAC and OBGYN departments. From 2010-2016, Family Medicine and Emergency Departments demonstrated a substantial decrease in opioid prescribing. The DENTAC and OBGYN departments showed a constant linear factor from 2010 to 2016 indicating minimal changes in number of pills dispensed and revealing a small decrease of pills dispensed during 2017. The most common types of opioid medication prescribed in the four departments from 1 JAN 2010 to 31 DEC 2017 were Morphine Sulfate and Hydromorphone HCL.

CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the DENTAC AND OBGYN departments did not show a significant decrease in number of opioid pills and number of prescriptions dispensed compared to the Family Medicine and ER departments. Overall, the Family Medicine department showed the most drastic change in opioid prescription patterns from 1 JAN 2010 to 31 DEC 2017 at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, TX. The most common types of opioid medication prescribed in the same period of time within the four departments were characterized by morphine and hydromorphone components.

PMID:34714916

Med J (Ft Sam Houst Tex). 2021 Oct-Dec;(PB 8-21-10/11/12):22-26.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a prevalent health issue in the US and even more prevalent amongst members of the armed forces. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the association between history of TBI and rates of dental treatment performed, endodontic therapy, and high caries risk.

METHODS: This was a retrospective medical and dental records study. The first 100 of a chosen dental hygienist’s patients in 2016 who were seen for dental prophylaxis appointments were chosen as subjects. Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA) and Corporate Dental System (CDS) records were used to gather information on these subjects including rank, age, gender, duty status, tobacco use, history of TBI, total number of dental procedures, total Dental Weighted Value (DWV), number of endodontic procedures, endodontic DWV, high caries risk categorization, total days dental fitness class 1, and total days dental fitness class 3. From these subjects, a “TBI group” and a “Non-TBI group” were formed. T-Test analyses were performed to compare these groups to each other in categories of total number of dental procedures, total DWV, total days dental fitness class 1, and total days class 3. Relative risks ratio analysis was used to compare these groups in terms of high caries risk categorization.

RESULTS: Eight out of 100 subjects had a history of TBI. All TBI events were mild. Six subjects had 1 event, 1 had 2 events, and 1 had 4 events. The TBI group had a statistically higher mean number of dental procedures (P=0.00000025) and mean total DWV (P=0.0000062) compared to the non-TBI group. No subjects from the TBI group had an endodontic procedure. The TBI group had lower mean days in dental fitness class 1 and more mean days in dental fitness class 3, but the results were not statistically significant. The TBI group had lower high caries risk categorization rates than the non-TBI group, but the results were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a history of TBI had a significantly higher number of dental procedures performed and DWV generated compared to patients without a history of TBI.

PMID:34714918