2.4 Statistical analysis
Continuous variables are presented as mean ± standard deviation or as
median and interquartile range and were compared using the t-test or
Wilcoxon rank-sum test based on the distribution. Categorical variables
are expressed as number and percentage and were compared using the
χ2 test. A p<0.05 was considered to indicate
statistical significance. Multiple comparisons of continuous variables
were performed using the Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis test, whereas multiple
comparisons of numerous variables were conducted with the
χ2 test. If the test indicated a significant
difference, we performed post-hoc analysis with adjustment using the
Bonferroni method.