Statistical analysis
We performed all statistical analyses using the SPSS statistical software package version 27.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Correlations were calculated using Pearson’s correlation analysis, survival rates were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method with the log-rank test, and means were compared using the independent t-test and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), where applicable. We report two-tailed p values whenever possible, and present our findings with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) when applicable. The homogeneity and normality of data between groups were assessed with the Levene’s test and the Shapiro–Wilk’s test, respectively.
This study is reported according to the STROBE guidelines.