Medical Statistics

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, adjunctive therapies for epilepsy management are being explored due to considerable side effects carried by antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and widespread reports of drug-resistant epilepsy. One such approach is non-invasive musical neurostimulation. Within this context, Mozart's sonata K448 has received particular attention following reports of reduced seizure frequency and a decrease in epileptiform discharges during and after music exposure; often described as the 'Mozart effect'...

The primary objectives of any high-volume surgery department should be patient safety, block time utilization and operating room efficiency. Reducing preparation time in the OR prior to actual surgery can improve operating room efficiency and utilization, but only if patient safety can be maintained. With this goal, this study evaluated a novel skin preparation technique using a device named ULTRAPREP™, a sterile, medical-grade plastic bag that is applied to the upper or lower extremity in the pre-operative holding area which allows for skin disinfection outside the OR (referred to as "disinfection bag")...

BACKGROUND: Quantitative studies have provided valuable statistical insights into Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) among patients with Heart Failure (HF), yet they often lack the depth to fully capture the nuanced, subjective experiences of living with HF particularly in the specific context of Jordan. This study explores the personal narratives of HF patients to understand the full impact of HF on their daily lives, revealing HRQoL aspects that quantitative metrics often miss. This is crucial in developing regions, where the increasing prevalence of HF intersects with local healthcare practices, cultural views, and patient expectations, providing key insights for tailored interventions and better patient care...

INTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunction in women with HIV is a necessary but understudied aspect of HIV complications in women living with HIV. This study reports the prevalence, pattern, and risk factors for sexual dysfunction in women living with HIV in southwest Nigeria. METHODS: A validated Female Sexual Function Index was used to determine sexual dysfunction in a cross-sectional study design involving 2926 adult women living with HIV in a large, publicly funded tertiary HIV treatment centre in Lagos, Nigeria...

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective Cohort Study Objectives: Robot-assisted spine surgery (RASS) is a rapidly evolving technique with potential benefits for improving surgical outcomes. A number of studies on RASS learning curve have focused on early iterations of the Mazor robot. Limited research exists on the learning curve associated with using the Globus Medical ExcelsiusGPS® system. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the learning curve of RASS using the ExcelsiusGPS® system at a single institution...

OBJECTIVES: To present a new method for displaying blood utilization data based on analysis of decision time intervals (DTIs). METHODS: Retrospective study of patients treated in a medical intensive care unit (ICU), surgical ICU, or postcardiac surgery ICU at an academic hospital between January 2018 and June 2023. Each patient's episode of care was divided into a series of DTIs. Transfusions during each time interval were recorded. RESULTS: In total, 16,562 patients received 6980 units of plasma and 21,034 units of red blood cells during 111,557 time intervals of care...

IMPORTANCE: It is unclear whether arthroscopic resection of degenerative knee tissues among patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee delays or hastens total knee arthroplasty (TKA); opposite findings have been reported. OBJECTIVE: To compare the long-term incidence of TKA in patients with OA of the knee after nonoperative management with or without additional arthroscopic surgery. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this ad hoc secondary analysis of a single-center, assessor-blinded randomized clinical trial performed from January 1, 1999, to August 31, 2007, 178 patients were followed up through March 31, 2019...

PURPOSE: Recommended pharmacotherapy for hypothyroidism in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is oral supplementation with levothyroxine (LT-4). However, serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels within normal range are not consistently achieved with LT-4 medication. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report on 35 HT patients with LT-4 therapy in this retrospective evaluation. In general, we recommend that a maximum of two sips of water, which would then amount to < 50 mL, be ingested at the same time as LT-4...

BACKGROUND: The continuous advancement in medical and surgical techniques has led to a rise in the frequency of abdominal operations, subsequently increasing the incidence of intra-abdominal adhesions. Over 90% of laparotomies result in postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions. This study investigates the effect of a 5% boric acid solution on the development of intra-abdominal adhesions in rats, using an adhesion model. METHODS: This study was conducted with two groups: a control group, in which the adhesion model was applied without any treatment, and a boric acid group, which was treated with a 5% boric acid solution...

BACKGROUND: This descriptive analysis examines the victims of the February 6, 2023, earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş and Elbistan, Türkiye. It aims to detail the injury profiles related to neuro-musculoskeletal trauma, assess the rehabilitation needs of patients, and propose a comprehensive rehabilitation approach. METHODS: The study included patients injured in the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquake on February 6, 2023, who were transported to our hospital based on their rehabilitation needs...

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the indicators of emergency surgical care in the Volgograd region between 2017 and 2021. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We summarized and analyzed primary statistical data presented in annual analytical collections of the chief surgeon of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia «Surgical care In Russian Federation» (Revishvili A.Sh. et al.) and the Rosstat collections «Regions of Russia. Socio-economic indicators». RESULTS: According to analytic system outworked in the Vishnevsky National Research Medical Center of Surgery, surgical service in the Volgograd region dropped from the 64th to the 82nd place among other entities between 2017 and 2021...

OBJECTIVE: To compare calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies (CGRP mAbs) versus nonspecific oral migraine preventives (NOEPs). BACKGROUND: Insurers mandate step therapy with NOEPs before approving CGRP mAbs. METHODS: Databases were searched for class I or II randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CGRP mAbs or NOEPs versus placebo for migraine prevention in adults. The primary outcome measure was monthly migraine days (MMD) or moderate to severe headache days...

BACKGROUND: Self-awareness impairment is common following acquired brain injury and can impact rehabilitation outcomes. Knowledge of factors associated with impaired self-awareness may assist with rehabilitation planning. OBJECTIVES: To identify factors associated with self-awareness and determine predictors of self-awareness impairment for adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke. DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of rehabilitation inpatients was conducted by medical record audit...

This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence available for renal denervation (RDN) in uncontrolled arterial hypertension. Twenty-five RCTs met the eligibility criteria for the systematic review, and 16 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. The results of the random effects meta-analysis estimated a mean difference of -8.5 mmHg [95% confidence interval (CI) -13.5 to -3.6] for office SBP, -3.6 mmHg (95% CI -5.2 to -2.0) for 24 h SBP and -3...

Perioperative fluid administration plays an essential role in head and neck cancer free flap surgery. The impact of intraoperative fluid administration on postoperative complications in head and neck cancer free flap surgery remains ill-defined. All adult patients who underwent a free flap surgery for head and neck cancer between January 2014 and December 2018 were included in the study. A total of 224 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of patients was 45.0 years, and the majority were male (85...

BACKGROUND: Consensus-guidelines for prescribing antidepressants recommend that clinicians should be vigilant to match antidepressants to patient's medical history but provide no specific advice on which antidepressant is best for a given medical history. AIMS OF THE STUDY: For patients with major depression who are in psychotherapy, this study provides an empirically derived guideline for prescribing antidepressant medications that fit patients' medical history...

BACKGROUND: Recovery colleges provide personalised educational mental health support for people who self-refer. The research evidence supporting them is growing, with key components and the positive experiences of attendees reported. However, the quantitative outcome evidence and impact on economic outcomes is limited. AIMS: To evaluate the impact of attending a UK recovery college for students who receive a full educational intervention. METHOD: This is a pre- and post-intervention study, with predominantly quantitative methods...

BACKGROUND: Loss-of-function (LOF) variants of the angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) gene are reported to be associated with serum triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations and thereby affect the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we examined the association of rs10789117 in the ANGPTL 3 gene locus and the risk of CVD in the group of people who were part of the Mashhad-Stroke and Heart-Atherosclerotic-Disorders (MASHAD) cohort...

OBJECTIVES: Infective endocarditis is a rarely seen disease, but has a high mortality rate. Therefore, it is extremely important that the guidelines are followed correctly. The main aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the level of knowledge and attitude of infective endocarditis of fourth- and fifth-year dentistry students in clinical residency and fifth- and sixth-year medical students. METHODS: A 42-item questionnaire evaluating the type and dosage of antibiotics administered as infective endocarditis prophylaxis in medical conditions and dentistry procedures was delivered online to the study participants...

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of different treatment strategies and risk factors on the prognosis of patients with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL) in a single medical center. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The clinical features of 266 patients with ENKTL were retrospectively analyzed, among whom those in stages I and II received sandwich therapy, while those in stages III and IV underwent chemotherapy plus autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation...