Distribution of milligrams of LD per kg, Cmax and AUC range for administrated test dose were graphically represented by box plot. Linear association between milligrams of LD per kg and pharmacokinetic parameters was expressed by Spearman correlation coefficients.
Univariate linear regression models were performed to quantify the relationship between each pharmacokinetic parameter (dependent variable) and matched patients’ characteristics (independent factors); subsequently, factors found to be clinically relevant and significant in the univariate analysis were entered into a multiple linear regression model. Value assumed by each dependent variable was predicted through the best linear combination of independent variables. All Ordinary Least Square regression assumptions were checked.
Analyses were performed by means of STATA SE version 16 software (Stata Corporation LLC, College Station, TX, USA).