Statistical analyses
Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
(SPSS) software version 16(SPSS Inc. Released 2007. SPSS for Windows,
Version 16.0. Chicago, SPSS Inc.). continuous and categorical variables
were reported as mean±SD and frequency(percentage), respectively. The
normal distribution of continuous variables was evaluated using the
Kolmogorov- Smirnov test and Q-Q plot. Non-normality positive skewed
data were subjected to logarithmic transformation. Comparison of basic
continuous and categorical variables of study subjects between the
placebo and LC groups was performed using independent sample t-test and
chi-squared test. Paired samples t-test was used for for comparing
before and after the intervention continuous variables in each study
group. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used for comparing the mean
values of continuous outcomes at the end of study between two groups and
adjustment was made for baseline values. The repeated measures analysis
of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare changes in SOFA score between
two groups which was measured repeatedly during the study course. Muchly
test of sphericity was evaluated and when it was violated we adopted
multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures ANOVA.
Comparison of study qualitative outcomes between groups was done by the
chi-squared test or Fisher exact
test. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically
significant.