Knowledge of epidemiology and statistics for an ophthalmic practitioner.
J Indian Med Assoc
;
2001 Oct; 99(10): 561-4, 566
Artigo
em Inglês
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-102273
ABSTRACT
Ophthalmologists are frequently confronted with treatment options that claim to be better than those currently in use. Statistically significant P values are invariably provided by way of proof. For many ophthalmologists a simple look at this revered P value is enough evidence that a statistically significant result has indeed been obtained. Unfortunately, traditional interpretation of a study based on the P value at an arbitrary cut-off (P<0.05 or any other value) limits the ability to fully appreciate clinical implications. In this article the authors introduce the reader to and illustrate the use of "confidence intervals" as opposed to P values in examining the applicability of study results. Further, what is statistically significant may not necessarily be clinically significant; perhaps not enough for the practitioner to change from the currently preferred method of treatment. To resolve this, the authors have also used common ophthalmic examples to introduce the "number needed to treat", as a simple clinical approach for the practising ophthalmologist wishing to assess the clinical significance of treatment options.
Texto completo:
DisponíveL
Índice:
IMSEAR (Sudeste Asiático)
Assunto principal:
Oftalmologia
/
Humanos
/
Intervalos de Confiança
/
Métodos Epidemiológicos
/
Ensaios Clínicos como Assunto
/
Interpretação Estatística de Dados
/
Oftalmopatias
Tipo de estudo:
Estudo de rastreamento
Idioma:
Inglês
Revista:
J Indian Med Assoc
Ano de publicação:
2001
Tipo de documento:
Artigo
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