Pasw 19

Descriptive population characterization was performed using absolute and relative frequencies in variables with categorical scale level. For variables with continuous variables or values with ordinal scale, means and standard deviation or median and quartiles were compared. Analyses of statistical significance were performed with two-sided alpha <5%. Statistical significance tests were performed with Chi²-tests, Student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test depending on the scale level and distribution of normality. Logistic regression analyses were added to obtain odds ratios (ORs) for covariables and also to define most relevant factors for the dependent variable (occurrence of acute renal injury) using backward selection regression model. To identify a suggestive cut off for SOP adherence rate, primary and secondary end points of the study were evaluated stepwise using different cut offs of SOP adherence. The corresponding LAG and HAG populations for each adherence rate were used to analyse the related significance levels for occurrence of AKI, length of ICU stay, and duration on mechanical ventilation. All analyses were performed using PASW 19.0 (SPSS Inc. 1998-2010, Chicago, Illinois 60606, USA).

Comparisons of characteristics between GDM and non-GDM participants were analyzed either by Student’s t-test or χ²-test. Based on the normal distribution of retinal vascular measures and fasting and 2-h glucose levels, these variables were analyzed as continuous variables. GDM status was analyzed as a binary variable (present/absent).
Multiple linear regression models were constructed to assess the associations between GDM (exposure) and the maternal retinal vascular outcomes mentioned above. Two models were applied in all analyses. Model 1 estimated associations after adjusted for socio-demographic factors, including age, ethnicity, and maternal highest education; Model 2 additionally adjusted for GDM risk factors, including personal history of hypertension, weight gain at 26–28 weeks gestation, family history of diabetes, maternal pre-pregnancy overweight/obese status, history of past GDM, and parity. All statistical analyses were performed using PASW 19.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, U.S.). P values and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were presented accordingly. Significant interactions of GDM*age, GDM*ethnicity and GDM*pre-pregnancy overweight/obese status were defined as P < 0.1.

Data are presented as mean value ± standard deviation and categorical variables as numbers and percentages. Between-group comparisons of quantitative and categorical variables were made by Students’ t‑test and Fisher’s exact tests, respectively. Associations between characteristics were explored with regression analysis. The effect of losartan on change in ventricular volumes and function was evaluated by the two-tailed Student’s t‑tests. All analyses were per protocol analyses in order to evaluate the change in ventricular volumes between the two groups of MFS patients who continued their losartan treatment throughout the entire study, and those in whom losartan treatment was not started during the study. a two-tailed P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. For statistical analyses, PASW 19.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) for Windows (Microsoft, Redmond, WA) was used.