Important statistical points to improve and promote the methodology of the articles on medical: a systematic review article for authors and reviewers

زمینه و هدف: کیفیت متدولوژی مقالات از جمله فاکتورهای مهمی است که مورد توجه پژوهشگران قرار می گیرد. این مقاله با هدف تعیین رهنمودهای آماری در زمینه ارتقاء کیفیت متدولوژی مقالات مرتبط با علوم پزشکی به منظور کمک به نویسندگان و داوران مقالات تدوین شد. روش بررسی: این مطالعه یک بررسی از نوع مرور نظام مند است. ابتدا در پایگاه اطلاعاتی Pub Med، کلمات کلیدی "Epidemiologic Methods/analysis"Mesh "Epidemiologic Methods/epidemiology" و Statistical Reporting انتخاب گردید. سپس متون مرتبط از پایگاه های اطلاعاتی معتبر جستجو شد. مرتبط بودن مقالات، داشتن دیدگاه و ارائه رهنمود آماری در مقاله و همچنین موافقت حداقل دو نفر از سه نفر تیم بررسی کننده مقالات از شرایط ورود مقالات به مطالعه بود. یافته ها: دویست مقاله مرتبط یافت گردید. 32 مقاله شرایط ورود به مطالعه را داشتند. بر اساس مقالات بررسی شده،30 نکته کاربردی در بهبود و ارتقاء کیفیت متدولوژی مقالات نقش تعیین کننده دارند. از جمله نکته های مهم می توان به معرفی و توصیف جامعه هدف و جمعیت آماری و ذکر نام مطالعه، معرفی متغیرهای مستقل، وابسته و متغیرهای مخدوش کننده، گزارش حجم نمونه برای زیر گروه ها و کل مطالعه، خلاصه سازی داده ها متناسب با توزیع آماری آن ها، ذکر نام آزمون های آماری مورد استفاده، گزارش نوع میزان (میزان بروز، میزان های بقا)، نسبت (نسبت شانس، نسبت خطر) یا خطر (خطر مطلق، خطر نسبی، اختلاف خطر) با حدود اطمینان 95%، تحلیل مشاهده های انسانی بر حسب جنسیت و نرم افزار مورد استفاده اشاره نمود. نتیجه گیری: مهمترین فاکتورهایی که در کیفیت متدولوژی مقالات، نقش تعیین کننده دارند، در این مطالعه گزارش گردید. به کارگیری این فاکتورها توسط نویسندگان و داوران مقالات می تواند منجر به بهبود کیفیت مجلات گردد. همچنین کاربست نکته ها و رهنمون های این مطالعه در روش کار طرح ها، می تواند از خطاهای پژوهش اجتناب نماید

Important statistical points to improve and promote the methodology of the articles on medical sciences, particularly nephrology and kidney; a review article.

BACKGROUND Quality of articles' methodology is one of the important factors which is considered by researchers. OBJECTIVES This study was conducted to determine statistical guidelines on promotion of methodology's quality in the articles concerning medical sciences, particularly nephrology, to assist authors and reviewers. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study is a systematic review. Initially, the keywords "Epidemiologic Methods/analysis" [Mesh] OR "Epidemiologic Methods/epidemiology" and "reporting" were selected in Medline database. Then, reliable databases were searched for relevant publications. Being relevant, containing viewpoints, and recommending statistical guidelines as well as approval of at least two of the three examiners of articles were determined as the inclusion criteria into the study. RESULTS Two hundred relevant articles were retrieved. Thirty-two articles met the inclusion criteria. By the examined articles, 30 applied points have determinative role for improving and promoting quality of articles methodology. Of the important points, introducing and describing target community and statistical population, mentioning article title, introducing independent and dependent variables as well as confounders, reporting sample size for subgroups and the whole study, summarizing the data according to their statistical distribution (reporting mean and standard deviation for data with normal distribution), reporting the type of rate (incidence, survival), ratio (odds, hazard) or risk (absolute, relative, difference) with 95% CI and the used software could be mentioned. CONCLUSION The most important factors contributing greatly to the quality of articles' methodology on nephrology were reported in the present study. Applying these factors by articles authors and reviewers could lead to improve articles' and journals' quality. In addition, use of the findings of the present study in articles' materials and methods could avoid research errors

Does health-related quality of life predict injury event?

Background: Unintentional injury is a leading threat to children's health. Some human ‎factors have been determined as predictor of unintentional injury. Association ‎between Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) as a human factor and unintentional ‎injuries is unclear. The objective of study is to examine the association between ‎HRQOL and unintentional injuries among primary school children. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional conducted in Ahwaz, a city in Iran. ‎Overall, 3375 children aged 6-10 years were randomly selected from primary school. ‎HRQOL was measured by 56 items taken from seven domains of Netherlands ‎Organization for Applied Scientific Research Academic Medical Center (TNO AZL) ‎child quality of life (TACQOL) parent form. Parents were interviewed to collect ‎information about incidence, cause and a brief description of injury within the past 12 ‎months prior to the study.‎ Results: The response rate was 3375 of 3792 (89%). There was a significant trend ‎for increasing occurrence of injury with decreasing of HRQOL score (P= Sig). ‎Adjusted OR for injury was significantly higher in very low (2.38, 95% CI: 1.45-‎‎3.86), low (2.18, 95% CI: 1.34-3.56), and medium (1.73, 95%CI: 1.06-2.83) ‎HRQOL groups compared to reference group (very high HRQOL). The median of total ‎HRQOL (P= Sig) and all its domains (P=0.017) (except autonomous functioning) ‎was lower in injured group compared to uninjured one.‎ Conclusions: This study found an association between HRQOL and unintentional ‎injury among primary school children. This is a preliminary finding and further ‎investigations with a well-defined analytical design are needed.

A quick review of studies on religion and health

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.In the history of Islam, knowledge about health has received a lot of attention. In Islam, health is an advantage and a prelude to perfection. On the other hand, the impact of religion on health, especially spiritual and mental health, has been emphasized several times and the importance of health, sanitation, and their impact on the life in this world and afterlife has been frequently mentioned. It should be noted that the purpose of materialistic and spiritual health is not the health itself. Rather, there is a much sublime objective; that is, all dimensions of health should be used to move toward divine satisfaction.For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Please cite this article as: Soori H. A quick review of studies on religion and health. J Res Relig Health. 2019; 5(3): 1- 4. doi: https://doi.org/10.22037/jrrh.v5i3.2672

Modeling of in hospital mortality determinants in myocardial infarction patients, with and without type 2 diabetes, undergoing pharmaco-invasive strategy: the first national report using two approaches in Iran

This study was conducted to compare the characteristics of patients, with and without diabetes mellitus, presenting with myocardial infarction (MI) and treated with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or thrombolytic therapy. Factors related to mortality due to MI in Iran were also determined. This study was a prospective analysis. To analyze the data, Stata software (chi square, t test, Cox and logistic regression) was used. Participants were patients hospitalized for MI for the first time in 540 hospitals from April, 2012 to March, 2013. Out of 20,750 patients with MI, 461 2 (22.3%) had type 2 diabetes. MI case fatality rate was 13.22% (95% CI: 12.24-14.19) and 11.78% (95% CI: 11.28-12.27) in patients with and without diabetes, respectively. The rates of CABG, PCI, and thrombolytic therapy use were 4.2%, 8%, and 58% in patients with diabetes, and 2.1%, 6.5%, and 55% in patients without diabetes. The odds ratio of mortality for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and chest pain resistant to treatment was, respectively, 6.3 and 2.8 in those with diabetes, and 3.9 and 3.7 in patients without diabetes. The hazard ratio of mortality for gender, education, smoking, left bundle branch block, PCI, and type of MI was different between the two groups (P < 0.05). Characteristics of patients dying post MI were different in those with or without diabetes mellitus. Although use of CABG, PCI, and thrombolytic therapy was more frequent in patients with diabetes than without, mortality was higher in diabetes patients. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Prevalence of major coronary heart disease risk factors in Iran

Background and aims: Coronary heart diseases (CHDs) contribute to mortality, morbidity, disability, productivity and quality of life. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of major risk factors for CHD in the provinces of Iran. Methods:This study reported pre-existing data and was of secondary, descriptive type. Prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors was defined for the provinces of Iran. A reliable report of NCD risk factors, the national surveillance program conducted in Iran, such as type II diabetes, hypertension and mean body mass index (BMI), smoking, hookah smoking, high cholesterol and obesity was used. Results: The highest and lowest prevalence of hypertension was obtained in Bushehr (20.85) and Yazd (12.86) provinces, respectively. The highest mean BMI was reported from Mazandaran province (26) and the lowest from Sistan and Baluchestan province (22.50). Qom province had the highest prevalence of diabetes (27.65). The highest prevalence of high cholesterol was obtained in Lorestan province (50.87 ) and the lowest in the Khouzestan province (22.71). East Azarbaijan province had the highest prevalence of smoking (14.8) and Kurdistan province the lowest (0.16). Hookah smoking was most prevalent in Hormozgan province (7.62). The highest prevalence of physical activities was reported from Sistan and Baluchestan province (47.84) and the lowest from Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad (22.2). Conclusion:Prevalence of CHD risk factors is the main priority for the Iranian health system. There is a need for intervention programs in the provinces which are at greater risk as well as for modification of people’s lifestyle

Relationship between risk factors and in-hospital mortality due to myocardial infarction by educational level: a national prospective study in Iran

Introduction: Since no hospital-based, nationwide study has been yet conducted on the association between risk factors and in-hospital mortality due to myocardial infarction (MI) by educational level in Iran, the present study was conducted to investigate relationship between risk factors and in-hospital mortality due to MI by educational level. Methods: In this nationwide hospital-based, prospective analysis, follow-up duration was from definite diagnosis of MI to death. The cohort of the patients was defined in view of the date at diagnosis, hospitalization and the date at discharge (recovery or in-hospital death due to MI). 20750 patients hospitalized for newly diagnosed MI between April, 2012 and March, 2013 comprised sample size. Totally, 2511 deaths due to MI were obtained. The data on education level (four-level) were collected based on years of schooling. To determine in-hospital mortality rate and the associated factors with mortality, seven statistical models were developed using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Of the studied patients, 9611 (6.1%) had no education. in-hospital mortality rate was 8.36 (95% CI: 7.81-8.9) in women and 6.12 (95% CI: 5.83-6.43) in men per 100 person-years. This rate was 5.56 in under 65-year-old patients and 8.37 in over 65-year-old patients. This rate in the patients with no, primary, high school, and academic education was respectively 8.11, 6.11, 4.85 and 5.81 per 100 person-years. Being woman, chest pain prior to arriving in hospital, lack of thrombolytic therapy, right bundle branch block, ventricular tachycardia, smoking and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction were significantly associated with increased hazard ratio (HR) of death. The adjusted HR of mortality was 1.27 (95% CI: 1.06-1.52), 0.93 (95% CI: 0.77-1.13), 0.72 (95% CI: 0.57-0.91) and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.66-1.01) in the patients with respectively illiterate, primary, secondary and high school education compared to academic education. Conclusion: A disparity was noted in post-MI mortality incidence in different educational levels in Iran. HR of death was higher in illiterate patients than in the patients with academic education. Identifying disparities per educational level could contribute to detecting the individuals at high risk, health promotion and care improvement by relevant planning and interventions in clinics and communities

Study of age at first myocardial infarction in patients in Iran: A national study

Background and Objectives: Determining and monitoring the age at myocardial infarction (MI) and its comparison in various regions is one of the vital and basic principles for the management of MI. This study was conducted to determine the age at the first MI in Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional, analytical study at a national level, the data of 20750 new MI patients registered in 2012 in 31 provinces of Iran according to the cardiologist’s diagnosis, World Health Organization criteria, and the codes ICD10: 121-122 were used. The calculations were done using the Stata 12 software. Results: The mean±SD of age at the first MI was 61.2±13.4 years in all patients in Iran. Moreover, 15033 (72.4%) patients were male with a mean age of 59.6±13.3 years. The mean age at MI in men was lower than women (65.4±12.6 years), showing a statistical significance (P<0.001).The mean age at MI was different among Iran provinces, with a statistical significance (P<0.001). The lowest mean age at the first MI was seen in the patients living in Semnan (59.1±12.9 years), followed by Tehran (60.4±13.5 years), Sistan va Balouchestan (60.3±13.9 years), and Lorestan (60.1±14.5 years), with a significant difference from the mean age of the patients in Ardabil (63.2±15.1 years) and Zanjan (64.4±112.8 years) (P<0.019). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that the age at MI was approximately five years younger in men than women. This studyprovided the ground for monitoring the age at MI, and more effective management of cardiovascular diseases in Iran

The Pattern of Pre-hospital Medical Service Delivery in Iran; a Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Pre-hospital emergency systems provide service by Franco-German and Anglo American models. This study was carried out to compare the Iranian emergency medical service (EMS) with the two models regarding timing and equipment. Methods: In this cross sectional study, response time, scene time, and transport time to hospital as well as ambulance equipment of five hundred thousand Tehran EMS recorded missions, during one year, were compared with Franco-German and Anglo American models, trying to determine the pattern of EMS delivery in Iran.  Results: The mean response time, scene time, and transport time to hospital were 15.00 ±10.88, 18 ±11.48, and 15.00 ±11.20 minutes, respectively. The mean response time (p&lt;0.035), scene time (p&lt;0.033), and transport time to hospital (p&lt;0.015) were more than the standard time. Percentage of ambulances quipped with automated external defibrillator (45%, p&lt;0.001), ventilator (2%, p&lt;0.001), disposable splint (0%, p&lt;0.001), and wheelchair (0%, p&lt;0.001) were very far from standards. Conclusion: The pattern of EMS delivery in Iran was a combination of Anglo American and Franco-German system

Prioritizing pre-hospital and hospital emergency staff’s training needs regarding traffic accidents: Comparing the viewpoints of experts and target group

Background and Aims: It is essential to recognize the current situation and training needs for staff in the field of traffic accident prevention in order to organize suitable training programs. This study was conducted to assess the educational needs of pre-hospital and hospital personnel with respect to traffic accidents in 2015.Materials and methods: This combined study was conducted in three phases-collection of qualitative data, design and validation of the needs assessment questionnaire, and a cross-sectional study. In the first stage, the assessment questionnaire was prepared using semi-structured interviews. The content validityof the questionnaire was then conducted by an expert panel. Finally, educational needs of the target group were assessed in a cross-sectional study using the questionnaire. All stages of this research were conducted ethically. Results: Results showed that the most important educational needs of pre-hospital centers were CPR training, opening up airways, checking the status of victim awareness, and ABC training courses. The three priorities of hospital emergency centers included ways to deal with special cases (such as amputation), advanced burn life support, and advanced trauma life support (ATLS) with the same degree of importance and self-care as in a road accident course.Conclusion: The identified priorities point out that it is necessary to formulate and implement educational programs to enhance the skills of pre-hospital and hospital staff