Statistical analysis
Based on previous studies, the sample size was calculated by performing a two-sample t-test with a power of 80% and a significance level of 5%. Considering a drop-out rate of 20%, 73 patients were required, and 100 patients were enrolled in this studyData are presented as median and IQR for continuous variables and as frequency (percentage) for categorical variables. Continuous variables were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test, and the Pearson chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test was used for categorical variables. All tests were two-sided, and 