Reporting of numerical and statistical differences in abstracts: improving but not optimal

Journal of General Internal Medicine
Eric Dryver, Janet E Hux

Abstract

The reporting of relative risk reductions (RRRs) or absolute risk reductions (ARRs) to quantify binary outcomes in trials engenders differing perceptions of therapeutic efficacy, and the merits of P values versus confidence intervals (CIs) are also controversial. We describe the manner in which numerical and statistical difference in treatment outcomes is presented in published abstracts. A descriptive study of abstracts published in 1986 and 1996 in 8 general medical and specialty journals. controlled, intervention trials with a binary primary or secondary outcome. Seven items were recorded: raw data (outcomes for each treatment arm), measure of relative difference (e.g., RRR), ARR, number needed to treat, P value, CI, and verbal statement of statistical significance. The prevalence of these items was compared between journals and across time. Of 5,293 abstracts, 300 met the inclusion criteria. In 1986, 60% of abstracts did not provide both the raw data and a corresponding P value or CI, while 28% failed to do so in 1Dr. Hux is a Career Scientist of the Ontario Ministry of Health and receives salary support from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Ontario.996 ( P <.001; RRR of 53%; ARR of 32%; CI for ARR 21% to 4...Continue Reading

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Citations

Aug 16, 2011·Journal of General Internal Medicine·Michael Hochman, Danny McCormick
Apr 11, 2003·Journal of Palliative Medicine·Nathan E Goldstein, Joanne Lynn
Mar 13, 2008·Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao = Journal of Chinese integrative medicine·Sally HopewelConsort Group The
Nov 3, 2016·Medical Teacher·David A Cook, Georges Bordage
May 3, 2006·Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·Stevan E HobfollRobert J Johnson
Sep 18, 2007·Medical Decision Making : an International Journal of the Society for Medical Decision Making·Judith Covey
Dec 3, 2014·Archivos de cardiología de México·Raúl A BorracciEduardo B Arribalzaga
Sep 3, 2004·Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery·Kirk R Wilhelmus

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