Xiaoqinglong Granules as Add-On Therapy for Asthma: Latent Class Analysis of Symptom Predictors of Response

Xiaoqinglong granules (XQLG) has been shown to be an effective therapy in asthma animal models. We reviewed the literature and conducted this study to assess the impact of XQLG as an add-on therapy to treatment with fluticasone/salmeterol (seretide) in adult patients with mild-to-moderate, persistent asthma. A total of 178 patients were randomly assigned to receive XQLG and seretide or seretide plus placebo for 90 days. Asthma control was assessed by asthma control test (ACT), symptoms scores, FEV1, and PEF. Baseline patient-reported Chinese medicine (CM)-specific symptoms were analyzed to determine whether the symptoms may be possible indicators of treatment response by conducting latent class analysis (LCA). There was no statistically significant difference in ACT score between two groups. In the subset of 70 patients with symptoms defined by CM criteria, XQLG add-on therapy was found to significantly increase the levels of asthma control according to global initiative for asthma (GINA) guidelines (P=0.0329). There was no significant difference in another subset of 100 patients with relatively low levels of the above-mentioned symptoms (P=0.1291). Results of LCA suggest that patients with the six typical symptoms defined in CM may benefit from XQLG.

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Latent Class Analysis of Brain Injury Symptomatology among College Students

Current Research Concussion ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1606578 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 04 (01) ◽

pp. e14-e22 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Karen Hux ◽

Jessica Brown ◽

Matthew Lambert

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Latent Class Analysis ◽

General Health ◽

Latent Class ◽

Class Analysis ◽

Grade Point ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Mild Brain Injury ◽

Mean Equality

Background Incidents potentially causing mild brain injury (BI) are common, and most people recover rapidly; however, a subset experiences long-lasting challenges. Objective This study used latent class analysis to identify a subset of college students presenting chronic symptomatology consistent with a mild BI diagnosis and pseudo-class mean equality tests to examine relations between latent classes and BI event and academic outcome variables. Methods Participants were 118/423 undergraduates self-reporting possible mild BIs through a survey about general health, daily habits, academic performance, and potential BI events. Twenty-four cognitive, physiological, or socio-emotional sequelae served to identify symptomatology profiles. Results A three-class model including 11% with high symptomatology, 49% with moderate symptomatology, and 40% with negligible symptomatology provided excellent fit and entropy. Symptoms best separating high and moderate classes were memory, thinking speed, new learning, and attention problems. Mean equality tests revealed no significant difference in number of BI events across classes, but high symptomatology respondents were significantly less likely to lose consciousness and significantly more likely to have lower grade point averages and to have failed courses than moderate symptomatology respondents. Discussion Cognitive problems are paramount in distinguishing college students with chronic high symptomatology following BI from those with moderate and negligible symptomatology. Because high symptomatology class individuals differ academically from their counterparts, a functional consequence of mild BI appears to exist. Conclusion About 1 in 10 undergraduate students self-reporting BI events experiences chronic symptomatology affecting general health and academic achievement. Because they may benefit from supportive services, accurate identification is critical.

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Comorbidity phenotypes and risk of mortality in patients with ischaemic heart disease in the UK

Heart ◽

10.1136/heartjnl-2019-316091 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 106 (11) ◽

pp. 810-816 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Francesca Crowe ◽

Dawit T Zemedikun ◽

Kelvin Okoth ◽

Nicola Jaime Adderley ◽

Gavin Rudge ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Disease ◽

Latent Class Analysis ◽

Ischaemic Heart Disease ◽

Latent Class ◽

Health Improvement ◽

Class Analysis ◽

Musculoskeletal Conditions ◽

Risk Of Mortality ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

ObjectivesThe objective of this study is to use latent class analysis of up to 20 comorbidities in patients with a diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) to identify clusters of comorbidities and to examine the associations between these clusters and mortality.MethodsLongitudinal analysis of electronic health records in the health improvement network (THIN), a UK primary care database including 92 186 men and women aged ≥18 years with IHD and a median of 2 (IQR 1–3) comorbidities.ResultsLatent class analysis revealed five clusters with half categorised as a low-burden comorbidity group. After a median follow-up of 3.2 (IQR 1.4–5.8) years, 17 645 patients died. Compared with the low-burden comorbidity group, two groups of patients with a high-burden of comorbidities had the highest adjusted HR for mortality: those with vascular and musculoskeletal conditions, HR 2.38 (95% CI 2.28 to 2.49) and those with respiratory and musculoskeletal conditions, HR 2.62 (95% CI 2.45 to 2.79). Hazards of mortality in two other groups of patients characterised by cardiometabolic and mental health comorbidities were also higher than the low-burden comorbidity group; HR 1.46 (95% CI 1.39 to 1.52) and 1.55 (95% CI 1.46 to 1.64), respectively.ConclusionsThis analysis has identified five distinct comorbidity clusters in patients with IHD that were differentially associated with risk of mortality. These analyses should be replicated in other large datasets, and this may help shape the development of future interventions or health services that take into account the impact of these comorbidity clusters.

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Using Latent Class Analysis to Identify Different Risk Patterns for Patients With Masked Hypertension

Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine ◽

10.3389/fcvm.2021.680083 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Ming Fu ◽

Xiangming Hu ◽

Shixin Yi ◽

Shuo Sun ◽

Ying Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Latent Class Analysis ◽

Latent Class ◽

Latent Class Model ◽

Fasting Blood Glucose ◽

Low Risk ◽

Biological Information ◽

Masked Hypertension ◽

Class Analysis ◽

The Impact

Background: There is controversy whether masked hypertension (MHT) requires additional intervention. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether MHT accompanied with high-risk metabolic syndrome (MetS), as the subphenotype, will have a different prognosis from low-risk MetS.Methods: We applied latent class analysis to identify subphenotypes of MHT, using the clinical and biological information collected from High-risk Cardiovascular Factor Screening and Chronic Disease Management Programme. We modeled the data, examined the relationship between subphenotypes and clinical outcomes, and further explored the impact of antihypertensive medication.Results: We included a total of 140 patients with MHT for analysis. The latent class model showed that the two-class (high/low-risk MetS) model was most suitable for MHT classification. The high-risk MetS subphenotype was characterized by larger waist circumference, lower HDL-C, higher fasting blood glucose and triglycerides, and prevalence of diabetes. After four years of follow-up, participants in subphenotype 1 had a higher non-major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) survival probability than those in subphenotype 2 (P = 0.016). There was no interaction between different subphenotypes and the use of antihypertensive medications affecting the occurrence of MACE.Conclusions: We have identified two subphenotypes in MHT that have different metabolic characteristics and prognosis, which could give a clue to the importance of tracing the clinical correlation between MHT and metabolic risk factors. For patients with MHT and high-risk MetS, antihypertensive therapy may be insufficient.

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Lifestyle Clusters and Cardiometabolic Risks in Adolescents: A Chinese School-Based Study Using a Latent Class Analysis Approach

Frontiers in Pediatrics ◽

10.3389/fped.2021.728841 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Weiying Zhao ◽

Danyan Su ◽

Luxia Mo ◽

Cheng Chen ◽

Bingbing Ye ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Latent Class Analysis ◽

Latent Class ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Class Analysis ◽

Lifestyle Behaviors ◽

School Based ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Cardiometabolic Risks ◽

Lifestyle Pattern

Background: Unhealthy dietary and lifestyle behaviors are associated with a higher prevalence of non-communicable chronic diseases and higher mortality in adults. However, there remains some uncertainty about the magnitude of the associations between lifestyle behaviors and cardiovascular factors in adolescents.Methods: We conducted a school-based cross-sectional study of 895 Chinese adolescents aged 15–19 years. They participated in a questionnaire survey, physical examination, and blood sample collection. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify heterogeneous subgroups of lifestyle behaviors. A set of 12 latent class indicators, which reflected lifestyle behaviors including dietary habits, physical activity, sleep duration, screen time, and pressure perception, were included in the analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether the derived classes were related to a cardiometabolic risk.Results: In total, 13.7 and 5.6% of the participants were overweight and obese, respectively, and 8.4 and 14.1% reported having pre-hypertension and hypertension, respectively. A two-class model provided the best fit with a healthy lifestyle pattern (65.8%) and a sub-healthy lifestyle pattern (34.2%). There were more female participants with a healthy lifestyle (56.2 vs. 43.8%), whereas there were more males with a sub-healthy lifestyle (45.4 vs. 54.6%), (all P = 0.002). Increased risk of cardiometabolic abnormality (BMI categories, blood pressure and lipids) was not significant across lifestyle patterns, except for waist circumference (70.5 vs 69.1 cm, P = 0.044). There was no significant difference in physical activity and intake of fruit and vegetable between the two patterns.Conclusion: Primary prevention based on lifestyle modification should target patterns of behaviors at high risk in adolescents. Due to the complex effect of lifestyle clusters on cardiometabolic risks, well-designed and prospective studies in adolescents are needed in the future.

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Stretched Earlobe Piercings Negatively Impact Casual Observer Perceptions

Facial Plastic Surgery ◽

10.1055/s-0039-1688798 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 35 (03) ◽

pp. 299-305

Author(s):

Nicholas Fung ◽

Masaru Ishii ◽

Pauline Huynh ◽

Michelle Juarez ◽

Kristin Bater ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Latent Class Analysis ◽

Web Sites ◽

Latent Class ◽

Social Stigma ◽

Public Access ◽

Class Analysis ◽

Bootstrap Analysis ◽

Casual Observer ◽

Body Modifications ◽

The Impact

AbstractPatients with stretched earlobes seek reconstruction to mitigate social stigma. To date, there have been no studies measuring the impact of stretched earlobe piercings on casual observer perceptions. One-hundred seventy-three casual observers were enrolled via public-access web sites. Participants were randomly shown frontal and profile views of six subjects with stretched earlobe piercings and four controls. Participants evaluated photos for first impressions using a survey containing choices regarding personal attributes. Latent class analysis was performed to categorize observer ratings. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), bootstrap analysis, and permutations testing were used to evaluate the relationship between perceived attractiveness, success, and approachability scoring and stretched earlobe status. Latent class analysis categorized responses into three classes: positive, negative, and neutral. Patients with stretched earlobe piercings were significantly less likely to be classified as positive by observers without body modifications (i.e., tattoos and piercings) in comparison to control photos (30.9 and 40.1%, p = 0.007) and more likely to be classified as negative (38.5 and 28.1%, p = 0.002). These changes were abolished when photos were evaluated by observers with body modifications (p > 0.05). ANOVA revealed that stretched earlobe piercings and observer body modification status have a significant effect on rated approachability (F [1,1726] = 4.08, p = 0.04) and successfulness (F[1,1726] = 9.67, p = 0.002; F [1,1726] = 70.33, p < 0.0005). No significance was found for rated attractiveness (p > 0.05). Patients with stretched earlobe piercings were more likely to be classified as having negative affect display and being less approachable and successful compared with controls when evaluated by observers without body modifications. This effect was abolished when photos were evaluated by observers with body modifications. These findings validate patient motivations for seeking stretched earlobe repair.

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The Impacts Of Socio-Economic Challenge On Long-Term Physical and Mental Health In Retirement Age

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.3739 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 1057-1058

Author(s):

Ilan Kwon ◽

Sojung Park ◽

BoRin Kim ◽

ByeongJu Ryu

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Latent Class Analysis ◽

Latent Class ◽

Later Life ◽

The United States ◽

Class Analysis ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Term Care ◽

The Impact

Abstract Despite consistent evidence on the negative effect of social and economic challenges on health, little is known about the pattern of economic difficulties people experience and the impact of those challenging patterns on long-term health in later life. This study used the national data, Mid Life in the United States (MIDUS 3 in 2013-2014), to identify the different patterns of socio-economic challenges that older Americans (50-64 ages old) experienced during the Recession in 2008 and to examine the impact of past challenging experiences on physical and mental health in their later life. Socio-economic challenges included twenty-six items such as losing or moving a job, missing rent, selling or losing a home, bankruptcy, having debts, and cutting spending. We conducted the latent class analysis and regression while controlling other social determinant factors (e.g., education, employment status, poverty, etc.). The latent class analysis result found five patterns during the Recession: people who experienced various difficulties during the Recession, who moved their jobs, who experienced financial difficulties, who bought a home with decreased debts, and who experienced no difficulty. Compared to people with no challenging experience, those who needed to move their jobs but could make debt off during the Recession reported physically healthier, but not mentally healthier in later life. Interestingly, among this group, women reported more long-term physical health problems than men. The findings suggest the close connection between physical and mental health and the importance of long-term care for mental health among older adults in recovering from socio-economic challenges.

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A Common Methodology

International Journal of Adult Vocational Education and Technology ◽

10.4018/ijavet.2016040106 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 74-87

Author(s):

Sunny L. Munn

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Organizational Culture ◽

Latent Class Analysis ◽

Latent Class ◽

Organizational Structures ◽

Work Life ◽

Class Analysis ◽

Analysis Methodology ◽

The Common ◽

The Impact

Organizational structures are comprised of an organizational culture created by the beliefs, values, traditions, policies and processes carried out by the organization. The work-life system in which individuals use work-life initiatives to achieve a work-life balance can be influenced by the type of organizational culture within one's workplace, for example a structured, rigid culture in which employees are afraid to ask questions versus a flexible, open culture where discussion is encouraged. Grouping methodologies such as cluster analysis or latent class analysis can be used to create typologies of organizational culture. The focus of this paper is to deconstruct the common methodology of cluster analysis used to identify typologies of organizational culture in the NSCW Study and the NOS Study, which set out to identify the impact of organizational culture on the use and existence of work-life benefits for individuals and organizations, respectively (Munn, 2012). The paper discusses the cluster analysis methodology in detail as well as another grouping methodology – latent class analysis - as a means to understanding the place of organizational culture in work-life research. The theoretical contributions of using cluster analysis to create typologies of organizational culture and the implications for workforce research are discussed.

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