Comparing three data mining algorithms for identifying associated risk factors of Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) shows increasing prevalence and global health burden, causing a concern among health service providers and health administrators. The current study is aimed at developing and comparing some statistical models that are useful in measuring or establishing such associations. The three particular statistical methods investigated in this study are artificial neural network (ANN), support vector machines (SVM) and multivariate logistic regression (MLR) using demographic, anthropometric and biochemical characteristics on a sample of 9528 individuals from Mashhad city. Methods: The statistical methods involved in this study are also known as machine learning algorithms and require dividing the available data in to training and testing dataset. This study has randomly selected 70% cases (6654 cases) for training and reserved the remaining 30% (2874 cases) for testing. The three methods are compared with help of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: The prevalence rate of T2DM is 14% in our population. The ANN model has 78.7% , accuracy, 63.1% sensitivity and 81.2% specificity. Values of these three parameters are 76.8%, 64.5% and 78.9% respectively for SVM and 77.7%, 60.1% and 80.5%, respectively for MLR. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) is 0.71 for ANN, in SVM model was 0.73 for SVM, and 0.70 for MLR.  Conclusion: The overall conclusion is that ANN performs better than two models and can be used effectively to identify associated risk factors of T2DM. &nbsp

Applying decision tree for detection of a low risk population for type 2 diabetes: A population based study

Introduction: The aim of current study was to create a prediction model using data mining approach, decision tree technique, to identify low risk individuals for incidence of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), using the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorders (MASHAD) Study program. Methods: a prediction model was developed using classification by the decision tree method on 9528 subjects recruited from MASHAD database. Moreover, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied. Results: The prevalence rate of T2DM was ~14% in our population. For decision tree model, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity value for identifying the related factors with T2DM were 78.7%, 47.8% and 83%, respectively. In addition, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) value for recognizing the risk factors associated with T2DM was 0.64. Moreover, we found that subjects with family history of T2DM, age>=48, SBP>=130, DBP>=81, HDL>=29, LDL>=148 and occupation=other have more than 59% chance of this disorder, while the chance of T2DM in subjects without history with TG>=184, age>=48 and hs-CRP>=2.2, have approximately 51% chance. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that decision tree analysis, using routine demographic, clinical, anthropometric and biochemical measurements, which combined with other risk score models, could create a simple strategy to predict individuals at low risk for type 2 diabetes in order to decrease substantially the number of subjects needing for screening and recognition of subject at high risk

Lead poisoning among opium users in Iran: an emerging health hazard

Background Lead (Pb) poisoning among people using opium has been an increasing problem in Iran. The present study highlights the clinical effects of lead toxicity associated with opium use in Iran, Kerman province. Methods Between January 2016 and June 2016, patients with signs and symptoms of Pb poisoning were questioned to assess whether they had a history of opium dependency. In total, 249 patients were enrolled onto this cross-sectional study, all were opium dependent. Para-clinical data including blood lead level (BLL), demographic information, user preferences, and symptoms were obtained. Results The patients used either opium (83.9%), refined opium (6.4%) or a combination of both (9.7%) via ingestion (71.9%), smoking (8.4%) or a combination of both (19.7%). The overall median BLL was 80.0 μg/dL [IQR: 51.7–119.0]. The median BLL did not differ significantly between opium and refined opium users. Further, BLL was not significantly affected by the type of substance, route of use, duration of use, or daily quantity consumed. Common symptoms included abdominal pain (86.9%), constipation (75.8%), anorexia (71.5%) and nausea (54.7%). Linear regression analysis showed log of BLL was significantly associated with abdominal pain, myalgia and anorexia. Conclusions The study unravelled an increase in opium-related Pb poisoning in the Kerman province. Raised awareness of this emerging Pb source and investigation of its aetiology is recommended. Pb poisoning should be considered among the primary differential diagnosis of opium users with gastrointestinal symptoms.publishedVersio

اضطراب کرونا در دانشجویان: نقش پیش‌بین ذهن‌آگاهی و تجارب معنوی

خلفية البحث وأهدافه: کشف مصادر القلق والإضطراب من الإصابة بکورونا وآلیات مواجهة هذا القلق یمکنها أن تساعد علی التخفیف من حدّة وطأتها النفسیة. تهدف هذه الدراسة إلی معرفة دور الوعي والتجربة الروحیة لدی الطلاب لتوقي الإصابة بکورونا والإستعداد للوقایة منها. منهجية البحث: اعتمدت الدراسة المنهجیة الوصفیة-الإرتباطیة. وشمل المجتمع الإحصائي جمیع طلاب وطالبات دار المعلمین العالیة في مدینة قزوین في سنة 2021-2020 الدراسیة، إذ اختیر 269 طالباً منهم حسب منهج أخذ العینات المتاحة وأجاب المشارکون عبر الإنترنت علی أسئلة إستبیان الوعي لشادویك والزملاء، واستبیان التجربة الروحیة لأندروود وترسي، وقلق کورونا لعلي بور والزملاء. واستخدمت منهج معامل ارتباط بیرسون والإنحدار المتعدد لتحلیل البیانات. تمت مراعاة جمیع الموارد الأخلاقیة في هذا البحث وإضافة إلی ذلك فإنّ مؤلفي البحث لم یشیروا إلی أيّ تضارب في المصالح. المعطیات: اظهرت النتائج أنّ هناك علاقة مباشرة وذات دلالة بین الیقظة (541/0-=r) والتجربة الروحیة (605/0-=r) بقلق الإصابة بکورونا (01/0>P)؛ کما أن النسبة المئویة للیقظة کانت 6/30 بالمئة ونسبة التجربة الروحیة 5/37 بالمئة من منظور التباین قلق الإصابة بکورونا. الاستنتاج: اثبتت نتائج الدراسة أنّ إعداد الورش التعلیمیة والتوعویة لتعزیز الوعي والیقظة والإستفادة من التجربة الروحیة لتوقي الإصابة بکورونا، یمکن أن تؤثر إیجاباً في عملیة التغلب علی قلق الإصابة بهذه الوباء لدی الطلاب.Background and Objective: Identifying the factors affecting covid-19 anxiety and coping strategies can help reduce it. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine the role of mindfulness and spiritual experiences in predicting covid-19 anxiety in students. Methods: This is descriptive-correlational study. The statistical population of the study included all male and female undergraduate students of Farhangian University of Qazvin in the academic year 2020-2021, out of whom 269 were selected by convenience sampling method.  The participants completed Chadwick et al.’s Mindfulness Questionnaire, Andrew's Spiritual Experiences Questionnaire and Alipour et al.’s Covid-19 Fear and Anxiety Questionnaire. Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression were used to analyze the data. In this study, all ethical considerations were observed and the authors of the article reported no conflict of interests. Results: The results showed a direct and significant relationship between mindfulness (r=-5.541) and spiritual experiences (r=-0.605) and covid-19 anxiety (P<0.01). The results also showed that the components of mindfulness explain 30.6% and the components of spiritual experiences explain 37.5% of the variance in covid-19 anxiety. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it is recommended to develop and promote certain programs for strengthening mindfulness and spiritual experiences to reduce covid-19 anxiety in students.سابقه و هدف: شناسایی عوامل مؤثر در اضطراب کرونا و راهبرد‌های مقابله‌ای آن می‌تواند به کاهش آن کمک کند؛ ازاین‌رو مطالعۀ حاضر با هدف نقش ذهن‌آگاهی و تجارب معنوی در پیش‌بینی اضطراب کرونا در دانشجویان انجام شده است. روش کار: این پژوهش از نوع توصیفی-همبستگی است. جامعۀ آماری تمامی دانشجویان دختر و پسر مقطع کارشناسی دانشگاه فرهنگیان شهر قزوین در سال تحصیلی 1400-1399 بود که از میان آنان تعداد 269 نفر به‌روش نمونه‌گیری دردسترس انتخاب شدند و به‌صورت برخط به پرسش‌نامه‌های ذهن‌آگاهی چادویک و همکاران، تجارب معنوی اندروود و ترسی و اضطراب کرونای علی‌پور و همکاران پاسخ دادند. جهت تحلیل داده‌ها از آزمون همبستگی پیرسون و رگرسیون چندگانه استفاده شد. در این پژوهش همۀ موارد اخلاقی رعایت شده است و مؤلفان مقاله تضاد منافعی گزارش نکرده‌اند. یافته‌ها: نتایج نشان داد که رابطۀ مستقیم و معنی‌داری بین ذهن‌آگاهی (541/0-=r) و تجارب معنوی (605/0-=r) با اضطراب کرونا وجود داشت (01/0>P)؛ همچنین مؤلفه‌های ذهن‌آگاهی ۶/۳۰ درصد و مؤلفه‌های تجارب معنوی ۵/۳۷ درصد از واريانس اضطراب کرونا را تبيين کردند. نتیجه‌گیری: بر اساس یافته‌های به‌دست‌آمده، پرورش و گسترش برنامۀ‌ تقویت ذهن‌آگاهی و تجارب معنوی جهت کاهش اضطراب کرونا در دانشجویان پیشنهاد می‌شود

hs-CRP is strongly associated with coronary heart disease (CHD): A data mining approach using decision tree algorithm

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is an important public health problem globally. Algorithms incorporating the assessment of clinical biomarkers together with several established traditional risk factors can help clinicians to predict CHD and support clinical decision making with respect to interventions. Decision tree (DT) is a data mining model for extracting hidden knowledge from large databases. We aimed to establish a predictive model for coronary heart disease using a decision tree algorithm. METHODS: Here we used a dataset of 2346 individuals including 1159 healthy participants and 1187 participant who had undergone coronary angiography (405 participants with negative angiography and 782 participants with positive angiography). We entered 10 variables of a total 12 variables into the DT algorithm (including age, sex, FBG, TG, hs-CRP, TC, HDL, LDL, SBP and DBP). RESULTS: Our model could identify the associated risk factors of CHD with sensitivity, specificity, accuracy of 96%, 87%, 94% and respectively. Serum hs-CRP levels was at top of the tree in our model, following by FBG, gender and age. CONCLUSION: Our model appears to be an accurate, specific and sensitive model for identifying the presence of CHD, but will require validation in prospective studies

Lead poisoning among opium users in Iran: an emerging health hazard

Background Lead (Pb) poisoning among people using opium has been an increasing problem in Iran. The present study highlights the clinical effects of lead toxicity associated with opium use in Iran, Kerman province. Methods Between January 2016 and June 2016, patients with signs and symptoms of Pb poisoning were questioned to assess whether they had a history of opium dependency. In total, 249 patients were enrolled onto this cross-sectional study, all were opium dependent. Para-clinical data including blood lead level (BLL), demographic information, user preferences, and symptoms were obtained. Results The patients used either opium (83.9%), refined opium (6.4%) or a combination of both (9.7%) via ingestion (71.9%), smoking (8.4%) or a combination of both (19.7%). The overall median BLL was 80.0 μg/dL [IQR: 51.7–119.0]. The median BLL did not differ significantly between opium and refined opium users. Further, BLL was not significantly affected by the type of substance, route of use, duration of use, or daily quantity consumed. Common symptoms included abdominal pain (86.9%), constipation (75.8%), anorexia (71.5%) and nausea (54.7%). Linear regression analysis showed log of BLL was significantly associated with abdominal pain, myalgia and anorexia. Conclusions The study unravelled an increase in opium-related Pb poisoning in the Kerman province. Raised awareness of this emerging Pb source and investigation of its aetiology is recommended. Pb poisoning should be considered among the primary differential diagnosis of opium users with gastrointestinal symptoms

Lead poisoning among opium users in Iran: an emerging health hazard

Background Lead (Pb) poisoning among people using opium has been an increasing problem in Iran. The present study highlights the clinical effects of lead toxicity associated with opium use in Iran, Kerman province. Methods Between January 2016 and June 2016, patients with signs and symptoms of Pb poisoning were questioned to assess whether they had a history of opium dependency. In total, 249 patients were enrolled onto this cross-sectional study, all were opium dependent. Para-clinical data including blood lead level (BLL), demographic information, user preferences, and symptoms were obtained. Results The patients used either opium (83.9%), refined opium (6.4%) or a combination of both (9.7%) via ingestion (71.9%), smoking (8.4%) or a combination of both (19.7%). The overall median BLL was 80.0 μg/dL [IQR: 51.7–119.0]. The median BLL did not differ significantly between opium and refined opium users. Further, BLL was not significantly affected by the type of substance, route of use, duration of use, or daily quantity consumed. Common symptoms included abdominal pain (86.9%), constipation (75.8%), anorexia (71.5%) and nausea (54.7%). Linear regression analysis showed log of BLL was significantly associated with abdominal pain, myalgia and anorexia. Conclusions The study unravelled an increase in opium-related Pb poisoning in the Kerman province. Raised awareness of this emerging Pb source and investigation of its aetiology is recommended. Pb poisoning should be considered among the primary differential diagnosis of opium users with gastrointestinal symptoms