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).