Give a brief summary of how was the data analyzed in the following research stud

Question

Give a brief summary of how was the data analyzed in the following research study?

Statistical analysis

Data were retrieved from the Cardio Consult AF database and imported into SPSS, version 20.0 (SPSS). Demographic characteristics were checked for baseline differences between the treatment groups; continuous variables were examined with t-test or Mann–Whitney U test, as appropriate, and categorical variables with x2 tests. Demographic characteristics, as well as scores on QoL, anxiety and depression, and knowledge are described as number and percentage, mean+standard deviation (SD) or median, and interquartile range (IQR), as appropriate.Analyses were performed only in patients who completed the questionnaires (SF-36, HADS, and AF knowledge scale) both at baseline and after 1-year follow-up. To score each SF-36 scale, we used Likert’s method for summated ratings scales. In case of a missing scale score, the patients’ personal mean score (of items that are answered per subscale) for missing values was allocated in the related subscale. This procedure is applied only in those cases in which at least half of the answers on items per subscale were available. In case of an odd number, half of the items plus one should have been answered to impute the data. If more items per subscale were missing, the scale score was not valid and defined as missing. In case of a single missing item on a subscale of the HADS, the score has been inferred by the mean score of the remaining six items. If more than one item was missing, the subscale was assessed as invalid.

Since it has been shown that QoL is dependent on age and gender, we defined these variables, including patients’ AF-related knowledge, as co-variates. Bivariate correlation was used to study possible associations between QoL and age or knowledge. These associations are expressedas Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (rs). To assess correlations between gender and QoL, the Mann–Whitney U test was used. P values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Patients (N ¼ 178) who did not complete the SF-36 at both time points were excluded. These patients were significantly older, and more often had a history of coronary artery disease (Table 1). Quality of life at baseline was significantly lower in these patients (see Supplementary material online, Table S1). (75%). In 98 of these patients (18.4%), a proportion of baseline QoL data was missing to calculate SF-36 subscale scores. The patients’ mean personal scale scores, based on the items for which data were available, were imputed in 48 of these patients (49%). At follow up, this was the case in 43 patients (8%) in whom itwas not possible to impute the missing data. The related subscales were then defined as missing. The two treatment groups were well matched for patient baseline characteristics apart from QoL (see below) (Table 1). The heart rhythm both times when the SF-36was questioned (i.e. at baseline and at 12 months follow-up) was as follows in patients of the nurse-led care group vs. the usual care group, respectively; remaining sinus rhythm(SR): 147 (53.3%) vs. 98 (44.1%), P ¼ 0.047, SR turning into AF: 18 (6.5%) vs. 10 (4.5%), P ¼ 0.434, remaining AF: 78 (28.1%) vs. 65 (26.9%), P ¼ 0.769, and AF turning into SR: 24 (8.6%) vs. 43 (17.8%), P ¼ 0.002. There was no cross-over between the groups.

Quality of life

Baseline QoL scores were relatively high in both groups. Thus, they were only slightly if at all lower than in the general population23,24 and were comparable with the general population at follow-up (Figure 1). Despite randomization, patients in the nurse-led care had better QoL scores at baseline than the control group. The difference was statistically significant for the subscales PF, RP, VT, BP, and GH (Table 2). After 1 year, significant improvement in subscales of RE (P ¼ 0.004), MH (P ¼ 0.001), and VT (P ¼ 0.008) were seen in the intervention group. The latter two also significantly improved in the usual care group (MH P ¼ 0.002, VT P , 0.001), as well as role limitations due to physical problems (P ¼ 0.004). Over time, no statistically significant differences were demonstrated between both groups (Table 2).

Anxiety and depression

At baseline, median scores on anxiety and depression were relatively low and comparable between the two groups. After 1 year, scores on anxiety decreased significantly (P 0.001) in both groups, while scores on depression remained nearly unchanged. No statistically significant differences for anxiety or depression were demonstrated between both groups over time (Table 3).

Atrial fibrillation knowledge

At baseline, knowledge was comparable between the two groups (Table 4). After 1-year follow-up, knowledge levels significantly improved in both groups andwere significantly higher in the intervention group (Table 4). Correlates of quality of life. As depicted in Table 5, positive correlations were found between all SF-36 subscales. Age was statistically significantly negatively associated with the SF-36 subscales PF and SF, MH, and GH. Quality of life was significantly lower in female patients and in patients with anxiety and depression. Atrial fibrillation-related knowledge positively correlated with all but one (i.e. RP) QoL subscales. Moreover, knowledge scores were lower in patients with depression. Furthermore, an older age and female gender (independently from age) was also negatively associated with AF-related knowledge.

Explanation / Answer

Summary:

The research relates to Cardio patients, These patients are made to fill the survey twice and the change is noted.

The research relates to the QoL, anxiety and depression levels , and knowledge level of the patients. Each scale in the questionnaire has been carefully designed and the rules for the missing values are already preset.

These variables are expressed in variaous statsistical terms like : mean , standar deviation , IQR , percents and median.

The various tests used are: Mann withney test , T test , Spearmen's correlation test.

Those patients who didnot fill either of the two questionnaires were excluded.

Analsyis:

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