*2.3. Statistical Analysis*

Data are presented as n and % of responses for qualitative variables and the average +/− standard deviation for quantitative features. The Chi 2 Pearson test was used to compare the relationships between the qualitative variables. Comparisons for quantitative variables were made using the Student's *t*-test, the relationship between quantitative variables was assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Due to the large number of cases in the study groups, parametric tests were used based on the central limit theorem. The analysis was performed using the Rstudio package (RStudio, PBC) and *p* values < 0.05 were considered significant.
