Predicting presenteeism using measures of health status

Abstract Objectives To identify whether it is feasible to develop a mapping algorithm to predict presenteeism using multiattribute measures of health status. Methods Data were collected using a bespoke online survey in a purposive sample (n = 472) of working individuals with a self-reported diagnosis of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Survey respondents were recruited using an online panel company (ResearchNow). This study used data captured using two multiattribute measures of health status (EQ5D-5 level; SF6D) and a measure of presenteeism (WPAI, Work Productivity Activity Index). Statistical correlation between the WPAI and the two measures of health status (EQ5D-5 level; SF6D) was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation. Five regression models were estimated to quantify the relationship between WPAI and predict presenteeism using health status. The models were specified based in index and domain scores and included covariates (age; gender). Estimated and observed presenteeism were compared using tenfold cross-validation and evaluated using Root mean square error (RMSE). Results A strong and negative correlation was found between WPAI and: EQ5D-5 level and WPAI (r = − 0.64); SF6D (r =− 0.60). Two models, using ordinary least squares regression were identified as the best performing models specifying health status using: SF6D domains with age interacted with gender (RMSE = 1.7858); EQ5D-5 Level domains and age interacted with gender (RMSE = 1.7859). Conclusions This study provides indicative evidence that two existing measures of health status (SF6D and EQ5D-5L) have a quantifiable relationship with a measure of presenteeism (WPAI) for an exemplar application of working individuals with RA. A future study should assess the external validity of the proposed mapping algorithms.

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Audit Evidence and Financial Statement Quality in Government Owned Companies in Rivers State, Nigeria

European Journal of Business Management and Research ◽

10.24018/ejbmr.2020.5.6.606 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (6) ◽

Author(s):

ThankGod C. Agwor ◽

Paul Daziba Amangala

Keyword(s):

Rank Correlation ◽

Financial Statements ◽

Ordinary Least Squares ◽

Financial Statement ◽

Least Squares Regression ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Accounting Scandals ◽

Audit Evidence ◽

Rivers State

The spate of Accounting scandals and Financial crisis in firms have undermined investors trust concerning financial statements, and as such has raised concerns and criticisms about the quality of financial statements. In order to regain investors’ confidence on financial statements, the audit function lends credibility to the financial statements, particularly through obtaining audit evidence. Therefore, this study empirically investigated the extent of relationship between audit evidence and financial statement quality of Government owned companies in Rivers State. The survey research design was adopted. Questionnaires were administered to selected audit firms in Rivers State. Spearman’s Rank Correlation analysis and ordinary least squares regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The study reveals significant relationship between audit evidence and financial statement quality of Government owned companies in Rivers State. Based on the findings, it was concluded that Audit evidence greatly improves financial statement quality of Government – owned companies in Rivers State. It was recommended that external auditor should always insist on the submission of a letter of representation from management before the end of an audit for purposes of improved reliability and relevance of financial statements.

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Wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: a secondary data analysis

10.31235/osf.io/pv4qs ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jen Murphy ◽

Mark Elliot

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

National Level ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Well Being ◽

Ordinary Least Squares ◽

Least Squares Regression ◽

The Uk ◽

Survey Responses ◽

The Impact

Introduction: In March 2020 in response to the COVID pandemic the UK government declared a national lockdown where citizens were required to stay at home. The impact of this lockdown on levels of well-being has been a source of concern for citizens and mental health professionals.Objectives: We investigated the trajectory of well-being over the course of the ?first wave and sought to determine whether the change in well-being is distributed equally across the population. Speci?fically we investigated pre-existing medical conditions, social isolation, ?financial stress and deprivation as a predictor for well-being and whether there were community level characteristics which protect against poorer well-being.Methods: Using online survey responses from the COVID19 modules of Understanding society, we linked 8,379 English cases across ?five waves of data collection to location based deprivation statistics. We used ordinary least squares regression to estimate the association between deprivation, pre-existing conditions and socio-demographic factors and the change in well-being scores over time, as measured by the GHQ-12 questionnaire.Results: A decline in well-being was observed at the beginning of the fi?rst lock down period at the beginning of March 2020. This was matched with a corresponding recovery between April and July as restrictions were gradually lifted. There was no association between the decline and deprivation, nor between deprivation and recovery. The strongest predictor of well-being during the lockdown, was the baseline score, with the counterintuitive finding that for those will pre-existing poor well-being, the impact of pandemic restrictions on mental health were minimal, but for those who had previously felt well, the restrictions and the impact of the pandemic on well-being were much greater.Conclusion: These data show no evidence of a social gradient in well-being related to the pandemic. In fact, wellbeing was shown to be highly elastic in this period indicating a national level of resilience which cut across the usually observed health inequalities.

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Comparison of a Web-Based Dietary Assessment Tool with Software for the Evaluation of Dietary Records / Primerjava Spletne Aplikacije in Računalniškega Programa Za Ovrednotenje Prehranskih Dnevnikov

Slovenian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1515/sjph-2015-0014 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 54 (2) ◽

pp. 91-97 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Evgen Benedik ◽

Barbara Koroušić Seljak ◽

Maša Hribar ◽

Irena Rogelj ◽

Borut Bratanič ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Statistical Correlation ◽

Web Based ◽

Software Application ◽

Open Platform ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Dietary Records

Abstract Background. Dietary assessment in clinical practice is performed by means of computer support, either in the form of a web-based tool or software. The aim of the paper is to present the results of the comparison of a Slovenian web-based tool with German software for the evaluation of four-day weighted paper-andpencil- based dietary records (paper-DRs) in pregnant women. Methods. A volunteer group of pregnant women (n=63) completed paper-DRs. These records were entered by an experienced research dietitian into a web-based application (Open Platform for Clinical Nutrition, OPEN, http://opkp.si/en, Ljubljana, Slovenia) and software application (Prodi 5.7 Expert plus, Nutri- Science, Stuttgart, Germany, 2011). The results for calculated energy intake, as well as 45 macro- and micronutrient intakes, were statistically compared by using the non-parametric Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The cut-off for Spearman’s rho was set at >0.600. Results. 12 nutritional parameters (energy, carbohydrates, fat, protein, water, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, dietary fiber, vitamin C, folic acid, and stearic acid) were in high correlation (>0.800), 18 in moderate (0.600-0.799), 11 in weak correlation (0.400-0.599), while 5 (arachidonic acid, niacin, alphalinolenic acid, fluoride, total sugars) did not show any statistical correlation. Conclusion. Comparison of the results of the evaluation of dietary records using a web-based dietary assessment tool with those using software shows that there is a high correlation for energy and macronutrient content.

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Cooking skills and socio-demographics among Portuguese university students

British Food Journal ◽

10.1108/bfj-06-2017-0345 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 120 (3) ◽

pp. 563-577 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Joanna Kowalkowska ◽

Rui Poínhos ◽

Sara Rodrigues

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Online Survey ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Binary Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Content Type ◽

Cooking Skills ◽

Portuguese Version ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the reliability of a Portuguese version of the cooking skills scale (CSS) and to evaluate the association between cooking skills and socio-demographic, psychological and other cooking-related variables. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted as an online survey among 730 Portuguese university students. Translation and back-translation of the CSS were performed. Data were assessed in two stages (test and retest) and the psychometric properties of the CSS were analyzed. The effect of socio-demographic variables was assessed by binary logistic regression analysis. The odds ratios for upper tertile of the CSS score were calculated using the lower tertile as reference. Findings Cronbach’s α for the CSS was 0.90. In the analysis of test-retest reliability, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was 0.79 and Cohen’s κ (for tertiles) was 0.49. Cooking skills were higher in respondents cooking more often, feeling more confident, enjoying more and indicating the personal interest as the main motivation to learn how to cook. Cooking skills were significantly better in females, older students and those with more independent place of residence. Originality/value Very good psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the CSS were found among university students, providing a proper and simple tool to measure cooking skills in future studies with similar populations. The interventions encouraging to acquire and improve cooking skills as part of promoting healthy eating should be targeted especially toward men and young adults.

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Child and Parent Demographic Characteristics and Oral Health Perceptions Associated with Clinically Measured Oral Health

JDR Clinical & Translational Research ◽

10.1177/2380084418774549 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 302-313 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

M. Marcus ◽

C.A. Maida ◽

Y. Wang ◽

D. Xiong ◽

R.D. Hays ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Oral Health ◽

Los Angeles ◽

The United States ◽

Ordinary Least Squares ◽

Oral Health Status ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Least Squares Regression ◽

Public Health Agencies ◽

The Look

Objective: To examine child and parent reports about the child’s oral health and assess the associations of these reports with clinical assessments of oral health status by dental examiners. Methods: Surveys with 139 items for children and 133 items for parents were administered by Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview Software. In addition, the Children’s Oral Health Status Index (COHSI) was computed from a dental examination. Results: A total of 334 families with children ages 8 to 17 y participated at 12 dental practices in Los Angeles County. Ordinary least squares regression models were estimated separately for child and parent surveys to identify items uniquely associated with the COHSI. Ten of 139 items the children reported regarding their oral health were associated with the COHSI. The strongest associations were found for child’s age, aesthetic factors (straight teeth and pleased with teeth), and cognitive factors related to perception of dental appearance (pleased/happy with the look of the child’s mouth, teeth, and jaws). Nine of 133 parent items about the child’s oral health were associated with the COHSI in the parent model, notably being a single parent, parent’s gender, parent born in the United States, pleased or happy with the look of their child’s teeth, and accessing the Internet. Conclusion: These child and parent survey items have potential to be used to assess oral health status for groups of children in programs and practices in lieu of dental screenings. Knowledge Translation Statement: The paper’s results inform the development of a toolkit that can be used by schools, public health agencies, and dental programs to identify children with low oral health status based on parents’ and children’s responses to survey items across demographic, physical, mental, and social domains. These survey items can be used to inform parents of the desirability of proactively addressing inadequacies in their child’s oral health status, enabling them to more rationally address dental needs.

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Early Serum Infliximab Levels in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis

Frontiers in Pediatrics ◽

10.3389/fped.2021.668978 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Jennifer C. C. deBruyn ◽

Kevan Jacobson ◽

Wael El-Matary ◽

Eytan Wine ◽

Matthew W. Carroll ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ulcerative Colitis ◽

Clinical Remission ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Activity Index ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Receiver Operator Characteristic Curve ◽

Interquartile Range ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation Coefficient

Background: Data on serum infliximab concentrations during induction in pediatric ulcerative colitis are limited. The study aim is to evaluate the relationship between serum infliximab concentrations during induction and short-term clinical remission in children with ulcerative colitis.Methods: We carried out a prospective, multi-center cohort study in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis. Serum infliximab concentrations were collected at peak dose #1, week 1, trough pre-dose #2, and trough pre-dose #3. Infliximab dosing was left to investigator discretion. Clinical remission was defined by pediatric ulcerative colitis activity index <10 at week 8.Results: Twenty-four of thirty-four subjects (71%) achieved clinical remission at week 8. The median infliximab concentrations were 33.0 μg/mL (interquartile range: 26.5–52.1 μg/mL) pre-dose #2 and 22.5 μg/mL (interquartile range:15.9–32.3 μg/mL) pre-dose #3. Trough pre-dose #2 infliximab concentration yielded area under receiver operator characteristic curve 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5–0.9 in predicting week 8 clinical remission; a cut-off of 33.0 μg/mL yielded 62.5% sensitivity, 66.7% specificity. Trough pre-dose #3 infliximab concentrations were lower for subjects <10 years compared to ≥ 10 years [median 15.9 μg/mL, interquartile range (IQR) 8.5–21.8 μg/mL vs. 27.7 μg/mL, IQR 17.2–46.7 μg/mL, p = 0.01] and correlated with baseline weight (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient 0.45, p = 0.01). The median half-life following first IFX dose was 6.04 days (IQR 5.3–7.9 days).Conclusions: Infliximab concentrations ≥33 μg/mL prior to the second dose were associated with week 8 clinical remission. As young age and low body weight impact infliximab concentration, prospective studies with proactive adjustment in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis should be carried out. Clinicians caring for children with UC should diligently adjust and monitor infliximab to optimize response.

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PP261 Development Of A Mapping Algorithm To Predict SF-6D Values In People With Drug-Resistant Focal Onset Seizures

International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care ◽

10.1017/s0266462321001434 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 37 (S1) ◽

pp. 31-31

Author(s):

India Flint ◽

Jasmina Medjedovic ◽

Ewa Drogon O'Flaherty ◽

Elena Alvarez-Baron ◽

Karthinathan Thangavelu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Online Survey ◽

Short Form ◽

Ordinary Least Squares ◽

Economic Evaluations ◽

Seizure Freedom ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

Mapping Algorithm ◽

Sf 36

IntroductionFocal-onset-seizures (FOS) are commonly experienced by individuals with epilepsy and have a significant impact on quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to develop a mapping algorithm to predict the 6 dimension short form questionnaire (SF-6D) values in adults with FOS for use in economic evaluations of a new treatment, cenobamate.MethodsAn online survey, including questions on sociodemographic, disease history, the short form (SF) 36, and an epilepsy-specific measure (quality of life in epilepsy problems questionnaire, QOLIE-31-P) was administered to individuals with drug-resistant FOS in the top 5 EU countries (UK, Spain, Germany, Italy and France). A range of regression models were fitted to SF-6D scores including direct and response mapping approaches.ResultsThe analysis included 361 people. In the previous 28 days, the mean number of FOS experienced was three, (range: 0–43) and longest seizure-free period was 14 days (range: 1–28). Mean responses on all SF-36 dimensions were lower than general population norms. Mean SF-6D and QOLIE-31-P scores were 0.584 and 45.72, respectively. The best performing model was the ordinary least squares (OLS), with root mean squared error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) values of 0.0977 and 0.0742, respectively. Explanatory variables which best predicted SF-6D included seizure frequency, seizure severity, seizure freedom, and age.ConclusionsPeople with drug-resistant FOS have poor QoL. The mapping algorithm enables the prediction of SF-6D values from clinical outcomes in individuals with drug-resistant FOS. It can be applied to outcome data from clinical trials to facilitate cost-utility analysis.

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Influence of a Novel Surface of Bioactive Implants on Osseointegration: A Comparative and Histomorfometric Correlation and Implant Stability Study in Minipigs

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20092307 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (9) ◽

pp. 2307 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Manuel M. Romero-Ruiz ◽

Francisco Javier Gil-Mur ◽

José Vicente Ríos-Santos ◽

Pedro Lázaro-Calvo ◽

Blanca Ríos-Carrasco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rank Correlation ◽

Statistical Correlation ◽

Nitrogen Atmosphere ◽

Stability Study ◽

Implant Stability ◽

Implant Surface ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation Coefficient ◽

High Maturity ◽

Stability Method

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the influence of a novel surface of dental implants (ContacTi®) on the osseointegration process in a minipig model. The surface was compared with other existing surfaces on the market (SLA® and SLActive®) by employing bone implant contact analysis (BIC) and implant stability. Method: Twelve minipigs were used with prior authorisation from an ethics committee. Three types of surfaces were tested: SLA® (sand-blasted acid-etched titanium), SLActive® (same but hydrophilic, performed under a nitrogen atmosphere), and ContacTi® (alumina particle bombardment of titanium, bioactivated when treated thermochemically) in 4.1 mm × 8 mm implants with internal connection and a polished neck. Twelve implants of each surface type (N = 36) were placed, sacrificing 1/3 of the animals at 2 weeks of placement, 1/3 at 4 weeks and the remaining 1/3 at 8 weeks. Numerical variables were compared with Analysis of Variance, and the correlation between ISQ and BIC was established with the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Results: SLActive® and ContacTi® surfaces showed elevated osteoconductivity at 4 weeks, maintaining a similar evolution at 8 weeks (large amount of mature lamellar tissue with high maturity and bone quality). The SLA® surface showed slower maturation. The ISQ values in surgery were elevated (above 65), higher at necropsy and higher at 4 and 8 weeks in the SLA® group than in the other two (SLActive® and ContacTi®). No significant correlation was found between ISQ and BIC for each implant surface and necropsy time. Conclusion: The three surfaces analysed showed high RFA and BIC values, which were more favourable for the SLActive® and ContacTi® surfaces. No statistical correlation was found between the RFA and BIC values in any of the three surfaces analysed.

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Comparison of Static and Dynamic Young’s Modulus of Prasinites

Materials Proceedings ◽

10.3390/materproc2021005054 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 54

Author(s):

Dimitrios Kotsanis ◽

Pavlos Nomikos ◽

Dimitrios Rozos

Keyword(s):

Young’S Modulus ◽

Young's Modulus ◽

Ordinary Least Squares ◽

Statistical Correlation ◽

Experimental Program ◽

Least Squares Regression ◽

Study Region ◽

Dynamic Young’S Modulus ◽

Regression Techniques ◽

Dynamic Young's Modulus

This study aimed to investigate the statistical correlation between the static and dynamic Young’s modulus of prasinites, a metabasic rock type that outcrops at various localities in the southern part of the Attica peninsula. A total of 39 cylindrical specimens was prepared and an extensive experimental program was carried out to determine the static and dynamic deformational properties for each specimen. Using ordinary least squares regression techniques, a new empirical linear equation was established between the aforementioned properties that can be used in the study region, or elsewhere where metabasic rocks with similar characteristics are investigated.

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The Relationship Between Ultrasound and Semen Parameters in Male Infertility: Size and Elasticity Matters!

10.21203/rs.3.rs-558907/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Norbert Pásztor ◽

Dániel Veréb ◽

István Király ◽

Zsigmond Tamás Kincses ◽

András Palkó ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Male Infertility ◽

Latent Variable ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Cell Number ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Least Squares Regression ◽

Sperm Analysis ◽

Strain Elastography ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation

Abstract ObjectivesTesticular ultrasound is important in the assessment of male infertility and adding strain elastography to the protocol can help clarify the underlying etiology. Material and Methods78 participants (64 with abnormal, 14 with normal semen parameters) underwent sperm analysis and testicular US including strain elastography. Semen parameters, testicular volumes, strain elastography parameters were compared between groups using independent samples T-tests, least squares regression, Spearman’s rank correlation. ResultsParticipants with abnormal semen parameters exhibited reduced testicular volumes (left: p<0.0003, right: p<0.0004) and epididymis diameters (left: p<0.01, right: p<0.006), and higher strain ratios (left: p<0.006, right: p<0.001). The first PLS latent variable explained a significant amount of variance in semen parameters (p<0.0002) and showed that bilateral strain ratios, left testicular volume and left appendix size were the most important predictors. Elevated strain ratios came with reduced sperm cell number (right: R=-0.45, p<0.0001; left: R=-0.46, p<0.0001), sperm concentration (right: R=-0.46, p<0.0001; left: R=-0.48, p<0.0001), total (right: R=-0.39, p<0.001) and progressive motility (right: R= -0.4, p<0.001), non-motility (left: R=-0.37, p<0.003) normal morphology (right: R=-0.37, p<0.003). ConclusionWe confirm previous reports of correlation between sperm parameters, testis volume and epididymis diameter. Furthermore, we show that strain elastography parameters are strong predictors of semen parameters.

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