Relevant analyses
AltraBio provides statistical expertise to assist with your clinical research projects from inception to publication.
Our statisticians possess extensive experience in analyzing medical data across various therapeutic areas including (but not limited to) neuropsychiatry, neurosciences, pulmonology, immunology, dermatology, cardiology, and rheumatology.
We tailor our solutions to meet the specific needs of our clients, which include human and veterinary pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, biotechs, cosmetic and nutritional industries, and academic laboratories. Our services span from the development phases to post-market clinical follow-up.
Study design
- Sample size and power calculation
- Writing of the synopsis
- Definition of the analysis methodology
- Development of the Statistical Analysis Plan
Data collection
- Support for writing the Data Management Plan
- Selection of the eCRF
Data processing
- Data extraction
- Formatting in accordance with the standards (CDISC, …)
- Data correction and cleaning (atypical data, missing data, …)
Data Analysis and valorization
- Descriptive methods, comparative analyses, …
- Construction of explanatory or predictive models, …
- Delivery of statistical reports in the form of a pdf or of a dynamic web page, processing algorithms
- Writing of abstracts, posters, research articles
Our Publications In Medical Data Analysis
2021
Rives, Sarah; Schmid, Bruno; Chaumet, Guillaume; Brégeon, Fabienne; Boussuges, Alain
Changes in Diaphragmatic Function Induced by an Increased Inspiratory Load Experienced by Military Divers: An Ultrasound Study Journal Article
In: Front Physiol, vol. 12, pp. 756533, 2021, ISSN: 1664-042X.
@article{pmid34916955b,
title = {Changes in Diaphragmatic Function Induced by an Increased Inspiratory Load Experienced by Military Divers: An Ultrasound Study},
author = {Sarah Rives and Bruno Schmid and Guillaume Chaumet and Fabienne Brégeon and Alain Boussuges},
doi = {10.3389/fphys.2021.756533},
issn = {1664-042X},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
urldate = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Front Physiol},
volume = {12},
pages = {756533},
abstract = { Inspiratory loading is experienced by military divers when they use rebreather device. Our objective was to assess the changes in diaphragm function induced by an increase in inspiratory load at values similar to those experienced by divers in real life. : We recorded the excursion and the thickness of the right hemidiaphragm in 22 healthy male volunteers under inspiratory load conditions, using ultrasound in B- and M-mode. The measurements were performed at tidal volume and during breathing at 50% of inspiratory capacity. The breathing rate was regulated and similar in the various sessions with and without load. The rebreather device used by French military divers leads to an increase in inspiratory load of close to 30 cmHO. Consequently, the session under load was performed using a device set to this threshold. Significant increases in the excursion and the thickening fraction of the diaphragm were observed between the sessions at tidal volume and at high volume. With addition of the inspiratory load, the excursion of the right hemidiaphragm increased significantly from 2.3 to 3.4cm at tidal volume and from 3.9 to 4.7cm at high volume. The thickening fraction increased significantly from 30.4 to 76.6% at tidal volume and from 70 to 123% at high volume. The statistical analysis demonstrated that assessment of the changes of the thickening fraction during breathing at tidal volume was the most relevant marker to assess the impact of the inspiratory load on the diaphragm. Diaphragm ultrasound can be used to assess the changes in the diaphragm contraction pattern secondary to an increase in the respiratory load that can be generated by use a diving apparatus. The recording of the changes of the motion, and more importantly of the thickness of the diaphragm, during the breathing cycle is able to provide relevant information regarding the inspiratory load.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Inspiratory loading is experienced by military divers when they use rebreather device. Our objective was to assess the changes in diaphragm function induced by an increase in inspiratory load at values similar to those experienced by divers in real life. : We recorded the excursion and the thickness of the right hemidiaphragm in 22 healthy male volunteers under inspiratory load conditions, using ultrasound in B- and M-mode. The measurements were performed at tidal volume and during breathing at 50% of inspiratory capacity. The breathing rate was regulated and similar in the various sessions with and without load. The rebreather device used by French military divers leads to an increase in inspiratory load of close to 30 cmHO. Consequently, the session under load was performed using a device set to this threshold. Significant increases in the excursion and the thickening fraction of the diaphragm were observed between the sessions at tidal volume and at high volume. With addition of the inspiratory load, the excursion of the right hemidiaphragm increased significantly from 2.3 to 3.4cm at tidal volume and from 3.9 to 4.7cm at high volume. The thickening fraction increased significantly from 30.4 to 76.6% at tidal volume and from 70 to 123% at high volume. The statistical analysis demonstrated that assessment of the changes of the thickening fraction during breathing at tidal volume was the most relevant marker to assess the impact of the inspiratory load on the diaphragm. Diaphragm ultrasound can be used to assess the changes in the diaphragm contraction pattern secondary to an increase in the respiratory load that can be generated by use a diving apparatus. The recording of the changes of the motion, and more importantly of the thickness of the diaphragm, during the breathing cycle is able to provide relevant information regarding the inspiratory load.
Boussuges, Alain; Finance, Julie; Chaumet, Guillaume; Brégeon, Fabienne
Diaphragmatic motion recorded by M-mode ultrasonography: limits of normality Journal Article
In: ERJ Open Res, vol. 7, no. 1, 2021, ISSN: 2312-0541.
@article{pmid33778044,
title = {Diaphragmatic motion recorded by M-mode ultrasonography: limits of normality},
author = {Alain Boussuges and Julie Finance and Guillaume Chaumet and Fabienne Brégeon},
doi = {10.1183/23120541.00714-2020},
issn = {2312-0541},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
urldate = {2021-01-01},
journal = {ERJ Open Res},
volume = {7},
number = {1},
abstract = {Chest ultrasonography has proven to be useful in the diagnosis of diaphragm dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to determine the normal values of the motion of both hemidiaphragms recorded by M-mode ultrasonography. Healthy volunteers were studied while in a seated position. Diaphragmatic excursions and diaphragm profiles were measured during quiet breathing, voluntary sniffing and deep breathing. Diaphragmatic excursions were assessed by M-mode ultrasonography, using an approach perpendicular to the posterior part of the diaphragm. Anatomical M-mode was used for the recording of the complete excursion during deep breathing. The study included 270 men and 140 women. The diaphragmatic motions during quiet breathing and voluntary sniffing were successfully recorded in all of the participants. The use of anatomical M-mode was particularly suitable for measurement of the entire diaphragmatic excursion during deep breathing. The statistical analysis showed that the diaphragmatic excursions were larger in men compared to women, supporting the determination of normal values based on sex. The lower and upper limits of normal excursion were determined for men and women for both hemidiaphragms during the three manoeuvres that were investigated. The lower limits of normal diaphragmatic excursions during deep breathing should be used to detect diaphragmatic hypokinesia, 3.3 and 3.2 cm in women and 4.1 and 4.2 cm in men for the right and the left sides, respectively. The normal values of the diaphragmatic motion and the lower and upper limits of normal excursion can be used by clinicians to detect diaphragmatic dysfunction.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Chest ultrasonography has proven to be useful in the diagnosis of diaphragm dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to determine the normal values of the motion of both hemidiaphragms recorded by M-mode ultrasonography. Healthy volunteers were studied while in a seated position. Diaphragmatic excursions and diaphragm profiles were measured during quiet breathing, voluntary sniffing and deep breathing. Diaphragmatic excursions were assessed by M-mode ultrasonography, using an approach perpendicular to the posterior part of the diaphragm. Anatomical M-mode was used for the recording of the complete excursion during deep breathing. The study included 270 men and 140 women. The diaphragmatic motions during quiet breathing and voluntary sniffing were successfully recorded in all of the participants. The use of anatomical M-mode was particularly suitable for measurement of the entire diaphragmatic excursion during deep breathing. The statistical analysis showed that the diaphragmatic excursions were larger in men compared to women, supporting the determination of normal values based on sex. The lower and upper limits of normal excursion were determined for men and women for both hemidiaphragms during the three manoeuvres that were investigated. The lower limits of normal diaphragmatic excursions during deep breathing should be used to detect diaphragmatic hypokinesia, 3.3 and 3.2 cm in women and 4.1 and 4.2 cm in men for the right and the left sides, respectively. The normal values of the diaphragmatic motion and the lower and upper limits of normal excursion can be used by clinicians to detect diaphragmatic dysfunction.
Boussuges, Alain; Rives, Sarah; Finance, Julie; Chaumet, Guillaume; Vallée, Nicolas; Risso, Jean-Jacques; Brégeon, Fabienne
Ultrasound Assessment of Diaphragm Thickness and Thickening: Reference Values and Limits of Normality When in a Seated Position Journal Article
In: Front Med (Lausanne), vol. 8, pp. 742703, 2021, ISSN: 2296-858X.
@article{pmid34778304b,
title = {Ultrasound Assessment of Diaphragm Thickness and Thickening: Reference Values and Limits of Normality When in a Seated Position},
author = {Alain Boussuges and Sarah Rives and Julie Finance and Guillaume Chaumet and Nicolas Vallée and Jean-Jacques Risso and Fabienne Brégeon},
doi = {10.3389/fmed.2021.742703},
issn = {2296-858X},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
urldate = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Front Med (Lausanne)},
volume = {8},
pages = {742703},
abstract = { Diagnosing diaphragm dysfunction in the absence of complete paralysis remains difficult. The aim of the present study was to assess the normal values of the thickness and the inspiratory thickening of both hemidiaphragms as measured by ultrasonography in healthy volunteers while in a seated position. Healthy volunteers with a normal pulmonary function test were recruited. The diaphragmatic thickness was measured on both sides at the zone of apposition of the diaphragm to the rib cage during quiet breathing at end-expiration, end-inspiration, and after maximal inspiration. The thickening ratio, the thickening fraction, and the thickness at end-inspiration divided by the thickness at deep breathing were determined. The mean values and the lower and upper limits of normal were determined for men and women. 200 healthy volunteers (100 men and 100 women) were included in the study. The statistical analysis revealed that women had a thinner hemidiaphragm than men on both sides and at the various breathing times studied. The lower limit of normality of the diaphragm thickness measured at end-expiration was estimated to be 1.3 mm in men and 1.1 mm in women, on both sides. The thickening fraction did not differ significantly between men and women. In men, it ranged from 60 to 260% on the left side and from 57 to 200% on the right side. In women, it ranged from 58 to 264% on the left side and from 60 to 229% on the right side. The lower limits of normality of the thickening fraction were determined to be 40 and 39% in men and 39 and 48% in women for the right and left hemidiaphragms, respectively. The upper limit for normal of the mean of both sides of the ratio thickness at end-inspiration divided by the thickness at deep breathing was determined to be 0.78 in women and 0.79 in men. The normal values of thickness and the indexes of diaphragmatic function should help clinicians with detecting diaphragm atrophy and dysfunction.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Diagnosing diaphragm dysfunction in the absence of complete paralysis remains difficult. The aim of the present study was to assess the normal values of the thickness and the inspiratory thickening of both hemidiaphragms as measured by ultrasonography in healthy volunteers while in a seated position. Healthy volunteers with a normal pulmonary function test were recruited. The diaphragmatic thickness was measured on both sides at the zone of apposition of the diaphragm to the rib cage during quiet breathing at end-expiration, end-inspiration, and after maximal inspiration. The thickening ratio, the thickening fraction, and the thickness at end-inspiration divided by the thickness at deep breathing were determined. The mean values and the lower and upper limits of normal were determined for men and women. 200 healthy volunteers (100 men and 100 women) were included in the study. The statistical analysis revealed that women had a thinner hemidiaphragm than men on both sides and at the various breathing times studied. The lower limit of normality of the diaphragm thickness measured at end-expiration was estimated to be 1.3 mm in men and 1.1 mm in women, on both sides. The thickening fraction did not differ significantly between men and women. In men, it ranged from 60 to 260% on the left side and from 57 to 200% on the right side. In women, it ranged from 58 to 264% on the left side and from 60 to 229% on the right side. The lower limits of normality of the thickening fraction were determined to be 40 and 39% in men and 39 and 48% in women for the right and left hemidiaphragms, respectively. The upper limit for normal of the mean of both sides of the ratio thickness at end-inspiration divided by the thickness at deep breathing was determined to be 0.78 in women and 0.79 in men. The normal values of thickness and the indexes of diaphragmatic function should help clinicians with detecting diaphragm atrophy and dysfunction.