Statistical analyses
Continuous variables were summarized using descriptive statistics
presented as mean and standard deviation (SD). Categorical variables
were summarized using counts and percentages. Categorical data were
analyzed using the Chi-square (χ2) test or Fisher exact test
appropriately. Mann Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis ANOVA were used for
comparing groups.
The results were evaluated at a 95% confidence interval, and p
<0.05 was considered statistically significant. All
statistical analyses were performed using software (Prism; GraphPad
Software, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA).