scholarly journals Efficacy Evaluation of Thymosin Alpha 1 in Non-severe Patients With COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study Based on Propensity Score Matching

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
ChenLu Huang ◽  
Ling Fei ◽  
Wei Xu ◽  
WeiXia Li ◽  
XuDong Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Propensity Score ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Standard Therapy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Thymosin Α1 ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Thymosin Alpha 1 ◽  
And Control ◽  
Related Mortality

Objective: Thymosin alpha 1 (Thymosin-α1) is a potential treatment for patients with COVID-19. We aimed to determine the effect of Thymosin-α1 in non-severe patients with COVID-19.Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 1,388 non-severe patients with COVID-19. The primary and secondary clinical outcomes were evaluated with comparisons between patients treated with or without Thymosin-α1 therapy.Results: Among 1,388 enrolled patients, 232 patients (16.7%) received both Thymosin-α1 therapy and standard therapy (Thymosin-α1 group), and 1,156 patients (83.3%) received standard therapy (control group). After propensity score matching (1:1 ratio), baseline characteristics were well-balanced between the Thymosin-α1 group and control group. The proportion of patients that progressed to severe COVID-19 is 2.17% for the Thymosin-α1 group and 2.71% for the control group (p = 0.736). The COVID-19-related mortality is 0.54% for the Thymosin-α1 group and 0 for the control group (p = 0.317). Compared with the control group, the Thymosin-α1 group had significantly shorter SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding duration (13 vs. 16 days, p = 0.025) and hospital stay (14 vs. 18 days, p < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was found between the Thymosin-α1 group and control group in duration of symptoms (median, 4 vs. 3 days, p = 0.843) and antibiotic utilization rate (14.1% vs. 15.2%, p = 0.768).Conclusion: For non-severe patients with COVID-19, Thymosin-α1 can shorten viral RNA shedding duration and hospital stay but did not prevent COVID-19 progression and reduce COVID-19-related mortality rate.

Impact of intrawound vancomycin powder on prevention of surgical site infection after posterior spinal surgery

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Hiroki Ushirozako ◽  
Tomohiko Hasegawa ◽  
Yu Yamato ◽  
Go Yoshida ◽  
Tatsuya Yasuda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Propensity Score ◽  
Spinal Surgery ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Propensity Score Model ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Surgical Data ◽  
Vancomycin Powder ◽  
Vancomycin Group ◽  
And Control

OBJECTIVESurgical site infection (SSI) after posterior spinal surgery is one of the severe complications that may occur despite administration of prophylactic antibiotics and the use of intraoperative aseptic precautions. The use of intrawound vancomycin powder for SSI prevention is still controversial, with a lack of high-quality and large-scale studies. The purpose of this retrospective study using a propensity score–matched analysis was to clarify whether intrawound vancomycin powder prevents SSI occurrence after spinal surgery.METHODSThe authors analyzed 1261 adult patients who underwent posterior spinal surgery between 2010 and 2018 (mean age 62.3 years; 506 men, 755 women; follow-up period at least 1 year). Baseline and surgical data were assessed. After a preliminary analysis, a propensity score model was established with adjustments for age, sex, type of disease, and previously reported risk factors for SSI. The SSI rates were compared between patients with intrawound vancomycin powder treatment (vancomycin group) and those without (control group).RESULTSIn a preliminary analysis of 1261 unmatched patients (623 patients in the vancomycin group and 638 patients in the control group), there were significant differences between the groups in age (p = 0.041), body mass index (p = 0.013), American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (p < 0.001), malnutrition (p = 0.001), revision status (p < 0.001), use of steroids (p = 0.019), use of anticoagulation (p = 0.033), length of surgery (p = 0.003), estimated blood loss (p < 0.001), and use of instrumentation (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in SSI rates between the vancomycin and control groups (21 SSIs [3.4%] vs 33 SSIs [5.2%]; OR 0.640, 95% CI 0.368–1.111; p = 0.114). Using a one-to-one propensity score–matched analysis, 444 pairs of patients from the vancomycin and control groups were selected. There was no significant difference in the baseline and surgical data, except for height (p = 0.046), between both groups. The C-statistic for the propensity score model was 0.702. In the score-matched analysis, 12 (2.7%) and 24 (5.4%) patients in the vancomycin and control groups, respectively, developed SSIs (OR 0.486, 95% CI 0.243–0.972; p = 0.041). There were no systemic complications related to the use of vancomycin.CONCLUSIONSThe current study showed that intrawound vancomycin powder was useful in reducing the risk of SSI after posterior spinal surgery by half, without adverse events. Intrawound vancomycin powder use is a safe and effective procedure for SSI prevention.

scholarly journals Relationship between formulaic breast volume and risk of breast cancer based on linear measurements

BMC Cancer ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoxia Li ◽  
Chunlan Zhou ◽  
Yanni Wu ◽  
Xiaohong Chen
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Conditional Logistic Regression ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Breast Volume ◽  
Linear Measurements ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background Whether breast volume is a risk factor for breast cancer is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate whether a significant association between breast volume and risk of breast cancer, based on linear measurements, was present by applying propensity score matching (PSM). Methods The study was designed as a hospital-based case-control study. Between March 2018 and May 2019, 208 cases and 340 controls were retrospectively reviewed. Information on menarche, smoking, feeding mode, oral contraceptives, reproductive history and family history was obtained through a structured questionnaire. Breast volume was calculated using a formula based on linear measurements of breast parameters. Cox regression and PSM were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for breast cancer using risk factors adjusted for potential confounders. Results There was a significant difference in breast volume between the two groups before propensity score matching (P = 0.014). Binary logistic regression showed that the risk of breast cancer was slightly higher in the case group with larger breast volumes than in the control group(P = 0.009, OR = 1.002, 95%CI:1.000 ~ 1.003). However, there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups using an independent sample Mann-Whitney U test (P = 0.438) or conditional logistic regression (P = 0.446). Conclusions After PSM for potential confounding factors, there is no significant difference in breast volume estimated by BREAST-V formula between the case group and the control group. The risk of breast cancer may not be related to breast volume in Chinese women.

Early Oral Switch to Linezolid for Low-risk Patients With Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infections: A Propensity-matched Cohort Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rein Willekens ◽  
Mireia Puig-Asensio ◽  
Isabel Ruiz-Camps ◽  
Maria N Larrosa ◽  
Juan J González-López ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Oral Switch

Abstract Background Oral switch to linezolid is a promising alternative to standard parenteral therapy (SPT) in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study of all adult cases of SAB between 2013 and 2017 in a Spanish university hospital. We compared the efficacy, safety, and length of hospital stay of patients receiving SPT and those where SPT was switched to oral linezolid between days 3 and 9 of treatment until completion. We excluded complicated SAB and osteoarticular infections. A k-nearest neighbor algorithm was used for propensity score matching with a 2:1 ratio. Results After propensity score matching, we included 45 patients from the linezolid group and 90 patients from the SPT group. Leading SAB sources were catheter related (49.6%), unknown origin (20.0%), and skin and soft tissue (17.0%). We observed no difference in 90-day relapse between the linezolid group and the SPT group (2.2% vs 4.4% respectively; P = .87). No statistically significant difference was observed in 30-day all-cause mortality between the linezolid group and the SPT group (2.2% vs 13.3%; P = .08). The median length of hospital stay after onset was 8 days in the linezolid group and 19 days in the SPT group (P < .01). No drug-related events leading to discontinuation were noted in the linezolid group. Conclusions Treatment of SAB in selected low-risk patients with an oral switch to linezolid between days 3 and 9 of treatment until completion yielded similar clinical outcomes as SPT, allowing earlier discharge from the hospital.

scholarly journals Relationship between formulaic breast volume and risk of breast cancer based on linear measurement

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
xiaoxia li ◽  
Chunlan Zhou ◽  
Yanni Wu ◽  
Xiaohong Chen
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Conditional Logistic Regression ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Breast Volume ◽  
Linear Measurements ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: Whether breast volume is a risk factor for breast cancer is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate whether a significant association between breast volume and risk of breast cancer, based on linear measurements,was present by applying propensity score matching (PSM).Methods: The study was designed as a hospital-based case-control study. Between March 2018 and May 2019, 208 cases and 340 controls were retrospectively reviewed. Information on menarche, smoking, feeding mode, oral contraceptives, reproductive history and family history was obtained through a structured questionnaire. Breast volume was calculated using a formula based on linear measurements of breast parameters. Cox regression and PSM were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for breast cancer using risk factors adjusted for potential confounders. Results: There was a significant difference in breast volume between the two groups before propensity score matching(P = 0.014) . Binary logistic regression showed that the risk of breast cancer was slightly higher in the case group with larger breast volumes than in the control group（P = 0.009, OR = 1.002， 95%CI：1.000~1.003). However, there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups using an independent sample Mann-Whitney U test (P = 0.438) or conditional logistic regression (P = 0.446). Conclusions: After PSM for potential confounding factors, the breast volume of cases did not differ from that of controls. The risk of breast cancer may not be related to breast volume in Chinese women.

scholarly journals Relationship between formulaic breast volume and risk of breast cancer based on linear measurement

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoxia Li ◽  
Chunlan Zhou ◽  
Yanni Wu ◽  
Xiaohong Chen
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Conditional Logistic Regression ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Breast Volume ◽  
Linear Measurements ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: Whether breast volume is a risk factor for breast cancer is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate whether a significant association between breast volume and risk of breast cancer, based on linear measurements, was present by applying propensity score matching (PSM).Methods: The study was designed as a hospital-based case-control study. Between March 2018 and May 2019, 208 cases and 340 controls were retrospectively reviewed. Information on menarche, smoking, feeding mode, oral contraceptives, reproductive history and family history was obtained through a structured questionnaire. Breast volume was calculated using a formula based on linear measurements of breast parameters. Cox regression and PSM were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for breast cancer using risk factors adjusted for potential confounders.Results: There was a significant difference in breast volume between the two groups before propensity score matching(P = 0.014) . Binary logistic regression showed that the risk of breast cancer was slightly higher in the case group with larger breast volumes than in the control group（P = 0.009, OR = 1.002， 95%CI：1.000~1.003). However, there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups using an independent sample Mann-Whitney U test (P = 0.438) or conditional logistic regression (P = 0.446).Conclusions: After PSM for potential confounding factors, there is no significant difference in breast volume estimated by BREAST-V formula between the case group and the control group. The risk of breast cancer may not be related to breast volume in Chinese women.

scholarly journals Relationship Between Formulaic Breast Volume And Risk Of Breast Cancer Based On Linear Measurement

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
xiaoxia li ◽  
Chunlan Zhou ◽  
Yanni Wu ◽  
Xiaohong Chen
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Conditional Logistic Regression ◽  
Linear Measurement ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Breast Volume ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: Whether breast volume is a risk factor for breast cancer has been controversial. This study aimed to evaluate whether or not the significant association between breast volume and risk of breast cancer based on linear measurement by applying Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was present. Methods: The study was designed as a hospital-based case-control study. Between March 2018 and May 2019, 208 cases and 340 controls were retrospectively reviewed. Information on menarche, smoking, feeding mode, oral contraceptives, reproductive history and family history was obtained through a structured questionnaire. Calculate breast volume using formula based on the linear measurement of breast parameters. Cox regression and PSM were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for breast cancer by risk factors adjusted for potential confounders. Results: There was a significant difference in breast volume between two groups before Propensity Score Matching(P=0.014) : P=0.009, OR=1.002, 95% CI: 1.000~1.003). Binary logistic regression showed that the risk of breast cancer was slightly higher in the case group with larger breast volume than in the control group（P=0.009, OR=1.002， 95%CI：1.000～1.003). However, there was no significant statistical difference between two groups in independent sample Mann-Whitney U test (P=0.438) and in conditional logistic regression (P=0.446). Conclusions: After PSM for the potential confounders factors, the breast volume of cases did not differ from that of controls. The risk of breast cancer may not related to breast volume in Chinese women.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Treatment Outcome Between Primary Intratympanic Steroid and Salvage Intratympanic Steroid Protocol in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Propensity Score Matching Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 252-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hee Won Seo ◽  
Ha Na Lee ◽  
Hyun Woong Jun ◽  
Hayoung Byun ◽  
Jae Ho Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Systemic Steroid ◽  
Hearing Level ◽  
Propensity Score Matching Analysis ◽  
And Control

Background and Objectives We aimed to compare the treatment outcomes of primary intratympanic steroid (ITS) and the salvage ITS protocol.Subjects and Method We assessed 440 patients with unilateral idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) from January 2016 to December 2019. Of the 440 patients, 37 patients received ITS only as a primary treatment while other patients received systemic steroid; of those remaining patients, 276 received systemic steroid as well as ITS as a salvage treatment. We performed a 1:2 propensity score matching analysis for both groups using parameters such as the initial hearing level, presence of vertigo, onset of treatment, age, sex, hypertension and diabetes. The rate of hearing recovery was determinied by comparing the matching propensity score between the primary ITS and the control group according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) guideline and Siegel’s criteria.Results Of the 440 ISSNHL patients, 28.9% received systemic steroid only and 62.6% of patients were managed with systemic steroid plus salvage ITS. Thirty-seven patients (8.4%) were managed with ITS only. While 36.8% of patients completely recovered, 35.0% did not recover their hearing according to AAO-HNS guideline. The propensity score matching showed that the initial hearing level, age and onset of treatment were not significantly different between the primary ITS and control group. Regarding the treatment outcome, complete recovery rate for the primary ITS group and control group were 29.7% and 33.8%, respectively. Although the recovery rate of the salvage ITS protocol group was higher than that of the primary ITS group, statistical significance was not identified.Conclusion Treatment strategies of primary ITS and salvage ITS protocol did not significantly affect the clinical outcomes of ISSNHL differently.

scholarly journals Relationship between formulaic breast volume and risk of breast cancer based on linear measurements

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoxia Li ◽  
Chunlan Zhou ◽  
Yanni Wu ◽  
Xiaohong Chen
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Conditional Logistic Regression ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Breast Volume ◽  
Linear Measurements ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: Whether breast volume is a risk factor for breast cancer is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate whether a significant association between breast volume and risk of breast cancer, based on linear measurements,was present by applying propensity score matching (PSM).Methods: The study was designed as a hospital-based case-control study. Between March 2018 and May 2019, 208 cases and 340 controls were retrospectively reviewed. Information on menarche, smoking, feeding mode, oral contraceptives, reproductive history and family history was obtained through a structured questionnaire. Breast volume was calculated using a formula based on linear measurements of breast parameters. Cox regression and PSM were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for breast cancer using risk factors adjusted for potential confounders.Results: There was a significant difference in breast volume between the two groups before propensity score matching(P = 0.014) . Binary logistic regression showed that the risk of breast cancer was slightly higher in the case group with larger breast volumes than in the control group（P = 0.009, OR = 1.002， 95%CI：1.000~1.003). However, there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups using an independent sample Mann-Whitney U test (P = 0.438) or conditional logistic regression (P = 0.446).Conclusions: After PSM for potential confounding factors, there is no significant difference in breast volume estimated by BREAST-V formula between the case group and the control group. The risk of breast cancer may not be related to breast volume in Chinese women.

Therapeutic Impact of Initial Treatment for Chlamydia trachomatis Among Patients With Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using a National Inpatient Database in Japan

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 316-322
Author(s):  
Daisuke Shigemi ◽  
Hiroki Matsui ◽  
Kiyohide Fushimi ◽  
Hideo Yasunaga
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Inflammatory Disease ◽  
Initial Treatment ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is common among women of reproductive age and can be complicated by tuboovarian abscess (TOA), which is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease. However, recent mortality rates from PID on hospital admission and the short-term therapeutic usefulness of initial treatment for Chlamydia trachomatis remain unknown. Methods Using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, we identified patients who were diagnosed with PID on admission from July 2010 to March 2016 in Japan. We excluded patients who were pregnant, had cancer, or had missing data. Propensity score–adjusted analyses were performed to compare short-term outcomes between patients administered initial treatment for C. trachomatis and those without this treatment. The primary outcome was surgical intervention (laparotomy, laparoscopic surgery, and/or drainage procedure) during hospitalization. Results In total, 27841 eligible patients were identified. Of these patients, 2463 (8.8%) had TOA on admission. Mortality during hospitalization was 0.56% and 0.28% in the groups without and with TOA, respectively. Propensity score matching created 6149 pairs. A significant difference was observed in the primary outcome between those receiving initial treatment for C. trachomatis and the control group after propensity score matching (11.5% vs 13.4%; risk difference, −1.9%; 95% confidence interval, −3.1 to −0.7). The group that received initial treatment for C. trachomatis also had a significantly lower mortality rate. Conclusions In this retrospective nationwide study, initial treatment for C. trachomatis among hospitalized patients diagnosed with PID had clinical benefits in terms of improved short-term outcomes.

scholarly journals Routine antibiotics may not be needed to treat uncomplicated right diverticulitis: A retrospective cohort study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0255384
Author(s):  
Kil-yong Lee ◽  
Jaeim Lee ◽  
Youn Young Park ◽  
Seong Taek Oh
Keyword(s):  
Propensity Score ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Propensity Score Matching ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Primary Study ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Antibiotic Administration ◽  
Colonic Diverticulitis ◽  
Soft Diet ◽  
Significant Difference

We aimed to investigate whether antibiotic administration is necessary for patients with uncomplicated right colonic diverticulitis. Data from patients diagnosed with uncomplicated right colonic diverticulitis, who received inpatient treatment at a single center between January 2019 and January 2021, were retrospectively examined. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether antibiotics were administered. The patients were matched between groups using propensity score matching in a 1:1 ratio using logistic regression with the nearest-neighbor method. The primary study outcome was the length of hospital stay, and the secondary outcomes were time to the introduction of sips of water and a soft diet. The study included 138 patients who received antibiotics and 59 who did not. After propensity score matching, 55 patients were assigned to each treatment group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age (p = 0.772), sex (p>0.999), body mass index (p = 0.121), prehospital symptom duration (p = 0.727), initial body temperature (p = 0.661), white blood cell count (p = 0.688), or C-reactive protein level (p = 0.337). There was also no statistically significant difference in the length of hospital stay between the no antibiotic and antibiotic groups (3.1±0.7 days vs. 3.0±1.0 days, p = 0.584). Additionally, no significant difference was observed between the no antibiotic and antibiotic groups with respect to time to sips of water (2.1±0.7 days vs. 1.8±0.9 days, p = 0.100) and time to the introduction of a soft diet (2.4±0.8 days vs. 2.1±0.9 days, p = 0.125). The findings suggest that routine antibiotics may be not required for treating patients with uncomplicated right colonic diverticulitis.

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