Tag: statistics

Int J Implant Dent. 2026 Jan 27;12(1):2. doi: 10.1186/s40729-026-00667-5.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: In immediate implant placement, both open and closed healing techniques are used, but their comparative esthetic and tissue stability outcomes remain under debate. This study aimed to evaluate and compare these two approaches to support clinical decision-making.

METHODS: In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, 46 patients received a total of 48 implants, assigned to either an open healing group (n = 25) or a closed healing group (n = 23). Clinical and radiological assessments were conducted at three time points: T1 (pre-extraction), T2 (3 months post-op), and T3 (12 months post-op). The primary endpoint was the Pink Esthetic Score (PES), which assesses seven soft tissue parameters. Secondary endpoints included implant survival and volumetric tissue changes. PES was analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model.

RESULTS: The open healing group showed significantly higher PES outcomes compared to the closed healing group (mean difference: -1.49; 95% CI: [-2.36, -0.62]; p = 0.0014). A higher baseline PES was also significantly associated with better esthetic outcomes at follow-up (0.3638, 95% CI: [0.1890, 0.5386], p = 0.0002). Smoking had no significant effect. Volumetric analysis revealed soft tissue volume loss from T1 to T2, with partial recovery by T3. Although the open healing group showed slightly less volume loss, this was not statistically significant. No implant losses occurred in either group.

CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated esthetic advantages of the open healing technique compared to the closed healing technique in immediate implant placement.

PMID:41591574 | DOI:10.1186/s40729-026-00667-5

Future Sci OA. 2026 Dec;12(1):2617117. doi: 10.1080/20565623.2026.2617117. Epub 2026 Jan 26.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We aim to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX) (125 mg/m2, q2w) for two weeks and (125 mg/m2, d1, d8, q3w) for three weeks in the first-line treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.

METHODS: The medical records of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer who received nab-PTX for 2 weeks and 3 weeks, combined with gemcitabine, from July 2018 to January 2023, were retrospectively analyzed. The efficacy and adverse reactions of the two groups of patients were compared.

RESULT: A total of 64 patients were included. The median progression-free survival (mPFS) of the 2-week group was 5.6 months, while the 3-week group was 7.8 months. The median overall survival (mOS) of the 2-week group was 14.0 months, while the 3-week group was 14.7 months. The multivariate analysis showed that a physical fitness status score of 0-1 was an independent factor with better OS, while metastatic sites ≥ 3 were related to poor OS. The incidence of leukopenia or neutropenia, neurotoxicity, fatigue, and poor appetite in the 2-week group was lower than that in the 3-week group.

CONCLUSION: The clinical efficacy of nab-PTX in the 2-week and dose intensive 3 week did not show significant difference, but the 2-week treatment group had better tolerance and safety.

PMID:41588563 | DOI:10.1080/20565623.2026.2617117

World J Surg Oncol. 2026 Jan 26. doi: 10.1186/s12957-026-04211-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Social frailty, characterised by insufficient social support, is a significant concern that can adversely affect patients’ health. This study aimed to investigate the impact of preoperative social frailty on short-term outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

METHODS: This multicentre prospective cohort study was conducted in three tertiary hospitals in Jiangsu Province, China (August 2021-February 2025). Patients were categorized into a non-social frailty group (score = 0) and a social frailty group (score ≥ 1) using the Help, Participation, Loneliness, Financial, Talk (HALFT) scale. We performed 1:1 nearest-neighbour propensity score matching to balance covariates including sex, age, residence, marital status, and the tumour node metastasis (TNM) stage, and assessed balance using standardised mean differences (SMD), with an absolute SMD <0.1 considered acceptable. The primary outcomes were overall postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ II) and major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ III). Secondary outcomes included ICU admission, hospitalisation expenses, total hospitalisation duration, and 30- and 90-day mortality. The primary and secondary outcome measures in both groups after PSM were analysed using the chi-squared test (or Fisher’s exact test) and Mann-Whitney U test. To quantify the associations, binary logistic regression was further performed for the primary measures.

RESULTS: After PSM, 133 matched pairs were generated, and covariates were well balanced (all |SMD| < 0.1). The social frailty group had a higher rate of overall complications (OR = 2.378; 95% CI 1.342-4.211; P = 0.003). Major complications did not differ significantly between groups (OR = 1.842, 95% CI 0.780-4.349, P = 0.163). The social frailty group also had higher ICU admission (8.3% vs. 2.3%; P = 0.028), greater hospitalisation expenses (61,354 vs. 56,525 RMB; P < 0.001), and longer total hospitalisation duration (17.0 vs. 15.0 days; P = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in 30- or 90-day mortality between the groups (3.0% vs. 0%; P = 0.122).

CONCLUSION: Preoperative social frailty was associated with higher risks of overall postoperative complications, ICU admission, increased hospitalisation expenses, and longer total hospitalisation duration compared with non-frail patients.

PMID:41588535 | DOI:10.1186/s12957-026-04211-y

J Anesth Analg Crit Care. 2026 Jan 26. doi: 10.1186/s44158-026-00345-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic bariatric surgery is effective for weight loss but often requires opioids for postoperative pain management, possibly increasing complications. Intraperitoneal local anaesthetic (IPLA) instillation may help to reduce pain and opioid use, though its efficacy remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of IPLA on postoperative pain management and opioid consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library (up to July 31, 2024) identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing IPLA with placebo or other analgesics. Primary outcomes were postoperative pain scores; secondary outcomes included opioid consumption, hospital length of stay (LOS) and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB2, and a random-effects model was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Eight RCTs (n = 875) showed IPLA significantly reduced pain in the first 4 h (SMD: – 1.46, 95% CI: – 2.08 to – 0.85, p < 0.001) and 4-8 h postoperatively (SMD: – 1.16, 95% CI: – 1.94 to – 0.37, p < 0.001), with no effect beyond 8 h. IPLA reduced additional analgesic use (RR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.25-0.66, p < 0.001) but without significant impact on LOS or PONV. Due to heterogeneity in opioid consumption reporting, a pooled analysis was not feasible.

CONCLUSION: IPLA effectively reduces early postoperative pain and opioid demand in laparoscopic bariatric surgery, though long-term benefits remain uncertain. Further high-quality RCTs are needed to establish optimal administration techniques and assess their broader clinical benefits.

PMID:41588531 | DOI:10.1186/s44158-026-00345-3

BMC Public Health. 2026 Jan 26. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-26389-2. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41588519 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-026-26389-2

Reprod Health. 2026 Jan 27. doi: 10.1186/s12978-025-02263-z. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41588500 | DOI:10.1186/s12978-025-02263-z

Eur J Med Res. 2026 Jan 26. doi: 10.1186/s40001-026-03912-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Elevated skin autofluorescence (SAF), a marker of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), predicts cardiovascular outcomes. However, the predictive value of SAF across diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains incompletely compared. This meta-analysis aimed to clarify SAF’s prognostic strength across these populations, highlighting potential mechanisms and therapeutic implications.

METHODS: We performed a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases through March 2025, identifying prospective observational studies evaluating associations between SAF and cardiovascular outcomes. Primary endpoints included all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and stroke. Subgroup analyses compared SAF’s predictive value in patients stratified by ESRD status (ESRD vs. non-ESRD), dialysis modality (hemodialysis [HD] vs. peritoneal dialysis [PD]), and diabetes type (type 1 vs. type 2 DM).

RESULTS: Twenty-four studies involving 12,361 participants were included. Elevated SAF significantly predicted increased risks of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37-1.85, I² = 65.4%), cardiovascular death (HR 1.42; 95% CI 1.07-1.88, I² = 43.9%), CVD events (HR 1.64; 95% CI 1.34-2.03, I² = 78.5%), and stroke (HR 2.33; 95% CI 1.49-3.32, I² = 0.0%). Subgroup analyses demonstrated a significantly stronger association between elevated SAF and CVD events in ESRD patients compared to non-ESRD patients (HR 3.51 vs. 1.56; P for interaction = 0.001). Although not statistically significant, PD patients tended to show a stronger SAF-CVD association than HD patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Elevated SAF predicts increased cardiovascular risk, with notably stronger associations in chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. These findings support the biological relevance of systemic AGE accumulation. However, further prospective validation and decision-analytic studies are required to assess SAF’s incremental predictive value beyond established scores and determine its clinical utility for risk stratification.

PMID:41588485 | DOI:10.1186/s40001-026-03912-0

Arthritis Res Ther. 2026 Jan 26. doi: 10.1186/s13075-026-03737-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although the quality of care related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has improved, ensuring high-quality care globally remains a significant challenge. To address this issue, we have introduced a modified Quality of Care Index (QCI) to evaluate variations in RA care services worldwide and analyze the influencing factors.

METHODS: The QCI was derived from a principal component analysis of global incidence, mortality, and prognostic indicators of RA. Joinpoint regression and linear mixed models were employed to analyze the temporal trends of the QCI and its influencing factors.

RESULT: In 2021, the global QCI for RA was 72.09. Among this, the QCI for males was 77.25, while for females it was 71.12. Based on Joinpoint regression, the AAPC of the global RA QCI from 1990 to 2021 was 0.30(0.29-0.31), with 0.22(0.20-0.23) for males and 0.29(0.28-0.30) for females. Based on the LMM model, it was found that age, gender, year, and SDI were all statistically significantly associated with QCI (p < 0.05). Specifically, positive correlations with QCI were observed in the following groups: under 14 years, 20-24 years, 40-54 years, 70-74 years, males, and high-SDI regions. Conversely, negative correlations with QCI were identified in the age groups 15-19 years, 25-39 years, 55-69 years, and 75 years and above.

CONCLUSION: Disparities in RA-related care exist across gender, age, and geographic regions. Further emphasis should be placed on improving care for female RA patients and those in low-SDI regions.

PMID:41588482 | DOI:10.1186/s13075-026-03737-6

Trials. 2026 Jan 26. doi: 10.1186/s13063-026-09451-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men worldwide and is frequently managed with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Standard patient positioning during RARP, specifically the lithotomy and steep Trendelenburg positions with a head-down angle of 25°-45°, can lead to complications such as peripheral nerve injury, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. This study introduces an alternative “Z-shaped supine position,” aimed at reducing postoperative position-related complications and improving patient comfort.

METHODS: This single-center, randomized controlled trial will recruit 78 patients scheduled for RARP. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the standard RARP position group or the Z-shaped supine position group. The Z-shaped supine position involves 10°-15° hip flexion, 5°-10° knee flexion, and 20°-30° leg abduction, combined with a 20°-25° Trendelenburg tilt. This position is supported by an integrated shoulder and neck brace. Outcomes include the incidence of peripheral nerve injuries (primary outcome), intraoperative IOP, skin contact pressure, deep vein thrombosis, postoperative pain, and pressure injury. Assessments will be conducted preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively at multiple time points. Statistical analyses will include an intention-to-treat (ITT) approach and comparisons between the two groups.

DISCUSSION: This study aims to validate the Z-shaped supine position as a safer alternative to standard positioning during RARP, with a focus on reducing perioperative complications while maintaining both functional and surgical outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2300072954. Registered on 28 June, 2023.

PMID:41588472 | DOI:10.1186/s13063-026-09451-7

J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2026 Jan 26. doi: 10.1186/s13002-026-00853-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This paper explores the erosion of foraging-related ethnobotanical knowledge in three coastal Mediterranean areas: Gozo Island (Malta), Kasos Island (Greece), and the Castagniccia region of Corsica Island (France). Based on recent ethnobotanical fieldwork between the summer of 2023 and the spring of 2025 in the three study areas, we document the few remaining wild vegetable uses in each region and contextualise the absence of robust LEK linked to plant foraging within broader socio-environmental changes. Our findings show that land abandonment, mass migration, desertification, and the rise of seasonal tourism have contributed to the disintegration of Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK). These forces have severed communities from everyday land-based practices, transforming vibrant ethnobotanical traditions into fragmented memories. We argue that LEK, particularly foraging knowledge, cannot survive in the absence of continuous interaction with the landscape, and that the revival of such practices requires more than nostalgic return, demanding a reconnection with local agro-ecological systems.

PMID:41588471 | DOI:10.1186/s13002-026-00853-0