Autori: C Baicus, S Caraiola

Editorial: Elsevier, Eur J Intern Med, 20 (5), p.e124-5, 2009.

Rezumat:

Whenever a study finds a statistical significance for the difference between treatment and placebo, we must always ask ourselves if the difference is clinically important, too. In order to do this, we need to know at least how large the scale is, and to compare the size of the scale with the size of the effect. Sometimes, the effect of placebo is greater than the intrinsic effect of the drug. The results of these studies are expressed as averages of effects on patients who respond to treatments and patients who do not, so in our daily practice we must distinguish these categories, treating only the first.

Cuvinte cheie: effect measure, statistical significance, clinical importance, minimal important difference, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, osteoarthritis

URL: http://www.ejinme.com/article/S0953-6205(08)00295-1/abstract