Abstract
The relative scale has been used for decades in analysing binary data in epidemiology. In contrast, there has been a long tradition of carrying out meta-analyses of continuous outcomes on the absolute, original measurement, scale. The biological rationale for using the relative scale in the analysis of binary outcomes is that it adjusts for baseline variations; however, similar baseline variations can occur in continuous outcomes and relative effect scale may therefore be often useful also for continuous outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine whether the relative scale is more consistent with empirical data on treating the common cold than the absolute scale. Individual patient data was available for 2 randomized trials on zinc lozenges for the treatment of the common cold. Mossad (Ann Intern Med 125:81-8, 1996) found 4.0 days and 43% reduction, and Petrus (Curr Ther Res 59:595-607, 1998) found 1.77 days and 25% reduction, in the duration of colds. In both trials, variance in the placebo group was significantly greater than in the zinc lozenge group. The effect estimates were applied to the common cold distributions of the placebo groups, and the resulting distributions were compared with the actual zinc lozenge group...Continue Reading
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Citations
Jun 14, 2020·Nutrients·Carroll A ReiderSusan Hazels Mitmesser
Apr 3, 2019·Nutrients·Harri Hemilä, Elizabeth Chalker
Feb 13, 2020·Journal of Intensive Care·Harri Hemilä, Elizabeth Chalker
Nov 21, 2019·Systematic Reviews·Harri Hemilä, Jan O Friedrich
May 28, 2021·Frontiers in Immunology·Harri HemiläElizabeth Chalker
Jun 16, 2021·Pharmacology Research & Perspectives·Harri Hemilä, Elizabeth Chalker