Statistical analysis
Categorical variables were expressed as absolute number and percentage (%). Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± SD or median and interquartile range (IQR), as appropriate after checking for normality by using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Categorical variables were compared with the use of the Pearson’s Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate. Continuous variables were compared with the use of one-way ANOVA test or Kruskal-Wallis test, as appropriate based on data distribution. Correlation between variables was assessed using Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient (\(r)\) or Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (ρ), as appropriate.
A two-sided p value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Data were analysed with the use of R statistical software version 4.0.3 and SPSS software version 24 (IBM Statistics, Chicago, Illinois).