Bayesian N-of-1 trials is increasingly popular in recent years. This study introduced the principle, statistical requirements, application status, advantages and disadvantages of Bayesian N-of-1 trials. Although the application of Bayesian N-of-1 trials is still limited in small scale and some problems remain to be solved, but it can provide more posterior information, and it can be the most important type of N-of 1 trial in future.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the influence of health education on medicine-taking compliance of hypertensive patients, so as to provide scientific evidence for health decision-making. MethodsLiterature search was performed in CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP databases to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 1998 and 2013 concerning the effect of health education on medicine-taking compliance of hypertensive patients. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data, assessed the methodological quality of included studies, and then conducted Bayesian meta-analysis using WinBUGS 14 software after heterogeneity-test by using Stata 10.0 software. ResultsA total of 19 RCTs involving 3 751 participants were included. The results of Bayesian meta-analysis showed that the health education group was superior to the control group in medicine-taking compliance with a significant difference (OR=4.46, 95%CI 3.698 to 5.358). ConclusionHealth education could enhance the medicine-taking compliance of Chinese hypertension patients significantly.
The R software bmeta package is a package that implements Bayesian meta-analysis and meta-regression by invoking JAGS software. The program is based on the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm to combine various effect quantities (OR, MD and IRR) of different types of data (dichotomies, continuities and counts). The package has the advantages of fewer command function parameters, rich models, powerful drawing function, easy of understanding and mastering. In this paper, an example is presented to demonstrate the complete operation flow of bmeta package to implement bayesian meta-analysis and meta-regression.
Exploring the functional network during the interaction between emotion and cognition is an important way to reveal the underlying neural connections in the brain. Sparse Bayesian network (SBN) has been used to analyze causal characteristics of brain regions and has gradually been applied to the research of brain network. In this study, we got theta band and alpha band from emotion electroencephalogram (EEG) of 22 subjects, constructed effective networks of different arousal, and analyzed measurements of complex network including degree, average clustering coefficient and characteristic path length. We found that: ① compared with EEG signal of low arousal, left middle temporal extensively interacted with other regions in high arousal, while right superior frontal interacted less; ② average clustering coefficient was higher in high arousal and characteristic path length was shorter in low arousal.
This study introduced the construction of individualized risk assessment model based on Bayesian networks, comparing with traditional regression-based logistic models using practical examples. It evaluates the model's performance and demonstrates its implementation in the R software, serving as a valuable reference for researchers seeking to understand and utilize Bayesian network models.
In this paper, the research has been conducted by the Microsoft kinect for windows v2 for obtaining the walking trajectory data from hemiplegic patients, based on which we achieved automatic identification of the hemiplegic gait and sorted the significance of identified features. First of all, the experimental group and two control groups were set up in the study. The three groups of subjects respectively completed the prescribed standard movements according to the requirements. The walking track data of the subjects were obtained straightaway by Kinect, from which the gait identification features were extracted: the moving range of pace, stride and center of mass (up and down/left and right). Then, the bayesian classification algorithm was utilized to classify the sample set of these features so as to automatically recognize the hemiplegia gait. Finally, the random forest algorithm was used to identify the significance of each feature, providing references for the diagnose of disease by ranking the importance of each feature. This thesis states that the accuracy of classification approach based on bayesian algorithm reaches 96%; the sequence of significance based on the random forest algorithm is step speed, stride, left-right moving distance of the center of mass, and up-down moving distance of the center of mass. The combination of step speed and stride, and the combination of step speed and center of mass moving distance are important reference for analyzing and diagnosing of the hemiplegia gait. The results may provide creative mind and new references for the intelligent diagnosis of hemiplegia gait.
Statistical analysis of clinical trials has traditionally relied on frequentist methods, but Bayesian statistics has attracted considerable attention from regulators and researchers in recent years due to its unique advantages, and its use in clinical trials is increasing. Despite the obvious advantages of Bayesian statistics, the complexity of its design, implementation and analysis poses a number of challenges to its practical application, which may lead to an increased risk of unregulated use. This study aims to comprehensively sort out the application scenarios, common methods, special considerations and key elements of reporting of Bayesian statistical methods in clinical trials, with the aim of providing researchers with references for conducting Bayesian clinical trials, and promoting the scientific and rational application of Bayesian statistical methods in clinical trials.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have become the cornerstone methodologies for integrating multi-source research data and enhancing the quality of evidence. Traditional meta-analyses often demonstrate limitations when handling multiple treatment options. Network meta-analysis (NMA) overcomes these limitations by constructing a network of evidence that encompasses various treatment options, allowing for the simultaneous comparison of both direct and indirect evidence across multiple treatment plans. This provides more comprehensive and precise support for clinical decision-making. This article comprehensively reviews the statistical principles of NMA, its three fundamental assumptions, and the statistical inference framework. It also critically analyzes the mainstream NMA software and packages currently available, such as R (including gemtc, netmeta, rjags, pcnetmeta), Stata (mvmeta, network), WinBUGS, SAS, ADDIS, and various online applications, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and suitable scenarios. This analysis provides researchers with a scientific and unified framework for conducting clinical studies and policy-making.
Objective To explore the long-term trends and epidemiological characteristics of the disease burden of tetanus in China over the past 30 years and to predict its disease burden in 2050, in order to comprehensively assess the overall disease burden of tetanus in China. Methods Leveraging the methods and findings of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, we provided a detailed description of the disease burden of tetanus in China based on key indicators such as prevalence, incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years, years lived with disability, and years of life lost due to premature mortality. Joinpoint regression analysis, age-period-cohort analysis, decomposition analysis, and Bayesian age-period-cohort models were employed to further elucidate the epidemiological characteristics of tetanus and predict its disease burden in China by 2050. Results From 1990 to 2021, the overall disease burden of tetanus in China exhibited a significant year-by-year decline. The primary demographic group bearing the burden of tetanus in China had gradually shifted from newborns to middle-aged and elderly individuals, with males being more affected than females. Decomposition analysis indicated that epidemiological change was a significant factor contributing to tetanus in China, while the impacts of population and aging were relatively minor. According to predictions from the Bayesian age-period-cohort model, by 2050, only the prevalence rate was expected to slightly increase, while all other indicators were projected to decline and remain at low levels. Conclusion The disease burden of tetanus in China decreased from 1990 to 2021. In subsequent prevention efforts, newborns and middle-aged and elderly individuals should be prioritized as targets for prevention and control to maintain the disease burden of tetanus at a low level.
BUGSnet is a powerful R project package for Bayesian network meta-analysis. The package is based on JAGS and enables high-quality Bayesian network meta-analysis according to recognized reporting guidelines (PRISMA, ISPOR-AMPC-NCA and NICE-DSU). In this paper, we introduced the procedure of the BUGSnet package for Bayesian network meta-analysis through an example of network meta-analysis of steroid adjuvant treatment of pemphigus with continuous or dichotomous data.