The paper aims to discuss three interesting issues of statistical inferences for a common risk ratio (RR) in sparse meta-analysis data. Firstly, the conventional log-risk ratio estimator encounters a number of problem...The paper aims to discuss three interesting issues of statistical inferences for a common risk ratio (RR) in sparse meta-analysis data. Firstly, the conventional log-risk ratio estimator encounters a number of problems when the number of events in the experimental or control group is zero in sparse data of a 2 × 2 table. The adjusted log-risk ratio estimator with the continuity correction points based upon the minimum Bayes risk with respect to the uniform prior density over (0, 1) and the Euclidean loss function is proposed. Secondly, the interest is to find the optimal weights of the pooled estimate that minimize the mean square error (MSE) of subject to the constraint on where , , . Finally, the performance of this minimum MSE weighted estimator adjusted with various values of points is investigated to compare with other popular estimators, such as the Mantel-Haenszel (MH) estimator and the weighted least squares (WLS) estimator (also equivalently known as the inverse-variance weighted estimator) in senses of point estimation and hypothesis testing via simulation studies. The results of estimation illustrate that regardless of the true values of RR, the MH estimator achieves the best performance with the smallest MSE when the study size is rather large and the sample sizes within each study are small. The MSE of WLS estimator and the proposed-weight estimator adjusted by , or , or are close together and they are the best when the sample sizes are moderate to large (and) while the study size is rather small.展开更多
It is well-known that the power of Cochran’s Q test to assess the presence of heterogeneity among treatment effects in a clinical meta-analysis is low due to the small number of studies combined. Two modified tests (...It is well-known that the power of Cochran’s Q test to assess the presence of heterogeneity among treatment effects in a clinical meta-analysis is low due to the small number of studies combined. Two modified tests (PL1, PL2) were proposed by replacing the profile maximum likelihood estimator (PMLE) into the variance formula of logarithm of risk ratio in the standard chi-square test statistic for testing the null common risk ratios across all k studies (i = 1, L, k). The simply naive test (SIM) as another comparative candidate has considerably arisen. The performance of tests in terms of type I error rate under the null hypothesis and power of test under the random effects hypothesis was done via a simulation plan with various combinations of significance levels, numbers of studies, sample sizes in treatment and control arms, and true risk ratios as effect sizes of interest. The results indicated that for moderate to large study sizes (k?≥ 16)?in combination with moderate to large sample sizes?(?≥ 50), three tests (PL1, PL2, and Q) could control type I error rates in almost all situations. Two proposed tests (PL1, PL2) performed best with the highest power when?k?≥ 16?and moderate sample sizes (= 50,100);this finding was very useful to make a recommendation to use them in practical situations. Meanwhile, the standard Q test performed best when?k?≥ 16 and large sample sizes (≥ 500). Moreover, no tests were reasonable for small sample sizes (≤ 10), regardless of study size k. The simply naive test (SIM) is recommended to be adopted with high performance when k = 4 in combination with (≥ 500).展开更多
In this paper, we discuss the optimal insurance in the presence of background risk while the insured is ambiguity averse and there exists belief heterogeneity between the insured and the insurer. We give the optimal i...In this paper, we discuss the optimal insurance in the presence of background risk while the insured is ambiguity averse and there exists belief heterogeneity between the insured and the insurer. We give the optimal insurance contract when maxing the insured’s expected utility of his/her remaining wealth under the smooth ambiguity model and the heterogeneous belief form satisfying the MHR condition. We calculate the insurance premium by using generalized Wang’s premium and also introduce a series of stochastic orders proposed by [1] to describe the relationships among the insurable risk, background risk and ambiguity parameter. We obtain the deductible insurance is the optimal insurance while they meet specific dependence structures.展开更多
When an unruptured aneurysm is found, deciding whether to operate or follow up is one of the most important issues. There are guidelines for making the best final decision on treatment, taking into account the effecti...When an unruptured aneurysm is found, deciding whether to operate or follow up is one of the most important issues. There are guidelines for making the best final decision on treatment, taking into account the effectiveness of diagnostic and therapeutic devices and the risk-benefit ratio of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. The guidelines evidence-based of large clinical data for this purpose are presented by national medical societies. As one of the rupture risk indicators, there is the hazard risk ratio derived by the UCAS Japan research group based on the statistical method of 6697 aneurysms in 5720 patients with cerebral aneurysms of 3 mm or more. Therefore, we investigated the biomechanical significance of this hazard risk ratio using a spherical aneurysm model. It was revealed that 1) the reason why the frequency of aneurysm rupture is relatively high up to about 10 mm, 2) the UCAS hazard risk ratio corresponds to stress of the aneurysm wall, and the true stress can be calculated by multiplying the patient’s blood pressure, and 3) the factors that cause the daughter’s sac (irregular protrusion of the aneurysm wall). In addition, our two methods for measuring the strength of the blood vessel wall of an individual patient were described.展开更多
Background: Maternal mortality is still high in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Cameroon where more efforts to reduce maternal mortality and provide universal access to reproductive health should be made. This study...Background: Maternal mortality is still high in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Cameroon where more efforts to reduce maternal mortality and provide universal access to reproductive health should be made. This study aims to see the evolution of maternal mortality and identify associated risk factors in Laquintinie hospital in Cameroon. Methods: A manual review of records for 166 maternal deaths (cases) and 322 controls was undertaken using a standard audit form. The sample included pregnant women aged 16 - 46 years admitted at the maternity of Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, Cameroon from January 2017 to December 2022. Software SSPS 3 and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze data. Results: One hundred and sixty-six (166) maternal deaths were identified during the study period for 14,114 live births, representing a maternal mortality ratio of 1176/100,000 live births. Factors significantly associated with maternal mortality included: young age (15 - 24 years) (aOR 0.11, 95% CI 0.00 - 0.76, p = 0.037), Alcohol intake (aOR 22.79, 95% CI 1.04 - 501.3, p = 0.047), Abortion or ectopic pregnancy (aOR 61.53, 95% CI 1.29 - 2927.3, p = 0.037), having no antenatal visits (aOR 388.3 95% CI 5.6 - 2675.9, p = 0.006), being admitted with hemorrhage (aOR 343.7, 95% CI 16.2 - 7276.0, p ,713.0, 95% CI 128.2 - 5,989,223.3, p CI 0.00 - 0.18, p = 0.016). Conclusion: Despite slight decrease in maternal mortality, early diagnosis of pregnancy and good Antenatal care associated with maternal health education are important factors for reducing maternal mortality. Young women were the most affected. Singles, alcoholics, women with a no or only primary education level, and referred women represented the majority of deceased cases.展开更多
目的探讨外周血红细胞分布宽度(red blood cell distribution width,RDW)、系统免疫炎症指数(systemic immune-inflammation index,SⅡ)与重性抑郁障碍(major depressive disorder,MDD)的相关性。方法回顾性分析2020-2022年于我院临床...目的探讨外周血红细胞分布宽度(red blood cell distribution width,RDW)、系统免疫炎症指数(systemic immune-inflammation index,SⅡ)与重性抑郁障碍(major depressive disorder,MDD)的相关性。方法回顾性分析2020-2022年于我院临床心理科住院的176例MDD患者和常规体检的209例非MDD对照者的临床资料。从血液分析结果中,得到RDW、SⅡ、红细胞分布宽度与血小板计数比值(RDW to platelet ratio,RPR)。绘制受试者操作特征(receiver operator characteristic,ROC)曲线以确定RDW区分患者与对照的最佳临界值及曲线下面积(area under the curve,AUC)。结果MDD组患者的RDW[中位数及四分位数:13.20(12.70,13.98)vs.12.80(12.40,13.35)]、SⅡ水平[中位数及四分位数:510.87(350.95,878.12)vs.405.33(313.74,539.92)]高于非MDD组对照者,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),两组间RPR差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,调整混杂因素后,RDW与MDD呈正关联(OR=3.086,95%CI:1.926~4.944)。ROC曲线结果显示,RDW区分MDD与非MDD的最佳临界值为12.85,AUC为0.647(95%CI:0.592~0.702;P<0.001)。结论高RDW可能是MDD发生的危险因素,是对MDD诊断有价值的重要参数。展开更多
文摘The paper aims to discuss three interesting issues of statistical inferences for a common risk ratio (RR) in sparse meta-analysis data. Firstly, the conventional log-risk ratio estimator encounters a number of problems when the number of events in the experimental or control group is zero in sparse data of a 2 × 2 table. The adjusted log-risk ratio estimator with the continuity correction points based upon the minimum Bayes risk with respect to the uniform prior density over (0, 1) and the Euclidean loss function is proposed. Secondly, the interest is to find the optimal weights of the pooled estimate that minimize the mean square error (MSE) of subject to the constraint on where , , . Finally, the performance of this minimum MSE weighted estimator adjusted with various values of points is investigated to compare with other popular estimators, such as the Mantel-Haenszel (MH) estimator and the weighted least squares (WLS) estimator (also equivalently known as the inverse-variance weighted estimator) in senses of point estimation and hypothesis testing via simulation studies. The results of estimation illustrate that regardless of the true values of RR, the MH estimator achieves the best performance with the smallest MSE when the study size is rather large and the sample sizes within each study are small. The MSE of WLS estimator and the proposed-weight estimator adjusted by , or , or are close together and they are the best when the sample sizes are moderate to large (and) while the study size is rather small.
文摘It is well-known that the power of Cochran’s Q test to assess the presence of heterogeneity among treatment effects in a clinical meta-analysis is low due to the small number of studies combined. Two modified tests (PL1, PL2) were proposed by replacing the profile maximum likelihood estimator (PMLE) into the variance formula of logarithm of risk ratio in the standard chi-square test statistic for testing the null common risk ratios across all k studies (i = 1, L, k). The simply naive test (SIM) as another comparative candidate has considerably arisen. The performance of tests in terms of type I error rate under the null hypothesis and power of test under the random effects hypothesis was done via a simulation plan with various combinations of significance levels, numbers of studies, sample sizes in treatment and control arms, and true risk ratios as effect sizes of interest. The results indicated that for moderate to large study sizes (k?≥ 16)?in combination with moderate to large sample sizes?(?≥ 50), three tests (PL1, PL2, and Q) could control type I error rates in almost all situations. Two proposed tests (PL1, PL2) performed best with the highest power when?k?≥ 16?and moderate sample sizes (= 50,100);this finding was very useful to make a recommendation to use them in practical situations. Meanwhile, the standard Q test performed best when?k?≥ 16 and large sample sizes (≥ 500). Moreover, no tests were reasonable for small sample sizes (≤ 10), regardless of study size k. The simply naive test (SIM) is recommended to be adopted with high performance when k = 4 in combination with (≥ 500).
文摘In this paper, we discuss the optimal insurance in the presence of background risk while the insured is ambiguity averse and there exists belief heterogeneity between the insured and the insurer. We give the optimal insurance contract when maxing the insured’s expected utility of his/her remaining wealth under the smooth ambiguity model and the heterogeneous belief form satisfying the MHR condition. We calculate the insurance premium by using generalized Wang’s premium and also introduce a series of stochastic orders proposed by [1] to describe the relationships among the insurable risk, background risk and ambiguity parameter. We obtain the deductible insurance is the optimal insurance while they meet specific dependence structures.
文摘When an unruptured aneurysm is found, deciding whether to operate or follow up is one of the most important issues. There are guidelines for making the best final decision on treatment, taking into account the effectiveness of diagnostic and therapeutic devices and the risk-benefit ratio of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. The guidelines evidence-based of large clinical data for this purpose are presented by national medical societies. As one of the rupture risk indicators, there is the hazard risk ratio derived by the UCAS Japan research group based on the statistical method of 6697 aneurysms in 5720 patients with cerebral aneurysms of 3 mm or more. Therefore, we investigated the biomechanical significance of this hazard risk ratio using a spherical aneurysm model. It was revealed that 1) the reason why the frequency of aneurysm rupture is relatively high up to about 10 mm, 2) the UCAS hazard risk ratio corresponds to stress of the aneurysm wall, and the true stress can be calculated by multiplying the patient’s blood pressure, and 3) the factors that cause the daughter’s sac (irregular protrusion of the aneurysm wall). In addition, our two methods for measuring the strength of the blood vessel wall of an individual patient were described.
文摘Background: Maternal mortality is still high in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Cameroon where more efforts to reduce maternal mortality and provide universal access to reproductive health should be made. This study aims to see the evolution of maternal mortality and identify associated risk factors in Laquintinie hospital in Cameroon. Methods: A manual review of records for 166 maternal deaths (cases) and 322 controls was undertaken using a standard audit form. The sample included pregnant women aged 16 - 46 years admitted at the maternity of Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, Cameroon from January 2017 to December 2022. Software SSPS 3 and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze data. Results: One hundred and sixty-six (166) maternal deaths were identified during the study period for 14,114 live births, representing a maternal mortality ratio of 1176/100,000 live births. Factors significantly associated with maternal mortality included: young age (15 - 24 years) (aOR 0.11, 95% CI 0.00 - 0.76, p = 0.037), Alcohol intake (aOR 22.79, 95% CI 1.04 - 501.3, p = 0.047), Abortion or ectopic pregnancy (aOR 61.53, 95% CI 1.29 - 2927.3, p = 0.037), having no antenatal visits (aOR 388.3 95% CI 5.6 - 2675.9, p = 0.006), being admitted with hemorrhage (aOR 343.7, 95% CI 16.2 - 7276.0, p ,713.0, 95% CI 128.2 - 5,989,223.3, p CI 0.00 - 0.18, p = 0.016). Conclusion: Despite slight decrease in maternal mortality, early diagnosis of pregnancy and good Antenatal care associated with maternal health education are important factors for reducing maternal mortality. Young women were the most affected. Singles, alcoholics, women with a no or only primary education level, and referred women represented the majority of deceased cases.
文摘目的探讨外周血红细胞分布宽度(red blood cell distribution width,RDW)、系统免疫炎症指数(systemic immune-inflammation index,SⅡ)与重性抑郁障碍(major depressive disorder,MDD)的相关性。方法回顾性分析2020-2022年于我院临床心理科住院的176例MDD患者和常规体检的209例非MDD对照者的临床资料。从血液分析结果中,得到RDW、SⅡ、红细胞分布宽度与血小板计数比值(RDW to platelet ratio,RPR)。绘制受试者操作特征(receiver operator characteristic,ROC)曲线以确定RDW区分患者与对照的最佳临界值及曲线下面积(area under the curve,AUC)。结果MDD组患者的RDW[中位数及四分位数:13.20(12.70,13.98)vs.12.80(12.40,13.35)]、SⅡ水平[中位数及四分位数:510.87(350.95,878.12)vs.405.33(313.74,539.92)]高于非MDD组对照者,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),两组间RPR差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,调整混杂因素后,RDW与MDD呈正关联(OR=3.086,95%CI:1.926~4.944)。ROC曲线结果显示,RDW区分MDD与非MDD的最佳临界值为12.85,AUC为0.647(95%CI:0.592~0.702;P<0.001)。结论高RDW可能是MDD发生的危险因素,是对MDD诊断有价值的重要参数。
