title: Variables affecting the probability of complete fusion of the medial clavicular epiphysis.
abstract: In this study, we have combined data on clavicle fusion from different studies and applied a binomial logistic regression analysis. As such, we aimed to assess whether or not variables such as sex, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity influence the probability of having mature, i.e., completely fused clavicles at a given age. We further explored whether the method of clavicle examination, i.e., diagnosis from either a dry bone specimen, an examination of X-rays, or an examination of computed tomography scans, affects the probability of being diagnosed with mature clavicles. It appeared that only ethnicity did not significantly affect this probability. Finally, we illustrated how the logit model may be used to predict the probability of being diagnosed with mature clavicles.
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Forensic Institute, PO Box 24044, 2490 AA The Hague, The Netherlands. L.meijerman@nfi.minjus.nl
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Meijerman
authors.forename: George J R
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Maat
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schmeling
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000367:Age Factors; D044466:Asian People; D044383:Black People; D002968:Clavicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D004838:Epiphyses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D044465:White People