Statistical analysis
Data were tested for normal distribution by Shapiro-Wilk test and are
expressed as mean and standard deviation (SD), mean with 95% confidence
interval or median with interquartile range 25-75 (IQR) or percentages,
as appropriate. Data analysis was performed for parametric variables
with independent sample testing. Kruskar-Wallis non-parametric ANOVA was
used for non-parametric continuous variables. Categorical variables were
analyzed with Chi2 or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate. Statistical
analyses were performed using SPSS statistics software, version 27
(IBM). A p value <0.05 was considered statistically
significant.