3.1 | Statistics
The sampled data were recorded and analyzed by SPSS (version 27.0.1.0
SPSS, Inc, Chicago, III).
In univariate analysis, the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test (two
groups) was first used to compare continuous IgE values in subjects with
or without a given clinical involvement; then, each variable of interest
was dichotomized (as negative or positive) to study the proportion of
subjects with symptoms in the two groups thus obtained.
Pearson’s χ2 test or Fisher’s exact test (used for
two-by-two contingency tables with less than 50 cases) were used to
assess if paired observations on two variables expressed in a
contingency table, were independent of each other.
We performed multiple logistic regression for the clinical variables
with dichotomous scores (present, absent) to see whether the association
between clinical symptoms and different shellfish allergens reactivity
was present after simultaneously adjusting for the other variables of
interest.
The degree of relationship between the quantitative variables studied
was analyzed using Spearman Correlation (rho) test, and the most
commonly used bivariate correlation technique. A value of p <
0.05 was considered statistically significant.