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absolute risk reduction

Describes the magnitude of a treatment effect. For example, if the standard treatment results in no improvement in 35% of patients & the new treatment results in a reduction to 25%, the absolute risk reduction is (0.35 - 0.25) = 10%. Notes: - absolute risks better characterize clinically significant risks than relative risks - absolute risks should be used to discuss risks with patients whenever possible

Related

absolute risk number needed to treat (NNT)

General

statistics (biostatistics)

References

  1. Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 16, 17. 18. American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2012, 2015, 2018.
  2. Barratt A, Wyer PC, Hatala R et al Tips for learners of evidence-based medicine: 1. Relative risk reduction, absolute risk reduction and number needed to treat. CMAJ. 2004 Aug 17;171(4):353-8. Review. PMID: 15313996 Free PMC Article
  3. Ranganathan P, Pramesh CS, Aggarwal R. Common pitfalls in statistical analysis: absolute risk reduction, relative risk reduction, and number needed to treat. Perspect Clin Res. 2016;7:51-3. PMID: 26952180