Probability: absolute and relative risk example
Liz Sneddon・4 minutes read
Patients with a skin condition were divided into two groups, one receiving a new drug and the other a placebo, with 399 on the drug reporting itching compared to 42 on the placebo. The absolute risk of itching for the new drug was 15.96% versus 1.68% for the placebo, showing those on the drug were 9.25 times more likely to experience itching.
Insights
- Patients on the new drug were significantly more likely to experience itching compared to those on the placebo, with a relative risk of 9.25, indicating a substantial difference in the occurrence of this side effect between the two groups.
- Placebos can have a notable impact on patients, with around 30% experiencing psychological improvements solely from taking them, showcasing the influence of perception and expectation on health outcomes.
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Recent questions
What is a placebo?
A fake pill resembling a real drug.
What is absolute risk?
The actual risk of an event occurring.
What is relative risk?
The likelihood of an event compared to another.
What is the placebo effect?
Positive outcomes from fake treatments.
How was the patient group divided?
Into two groups of 2500 each.
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Summary
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"New Drug Increases Itching Risk 9x"
- A group of 5000 patients with a skin condition was divided into two groups of 2500 each, with one group receiving a new drug and the other a placebo. 399 patients on the new drug reported itching, while 42 on the placebo reported itching.
- A placebo is a fake alternative pill designed to look like the real drug to prevent patients from knowing which they are taking. Placebos can often lead to psychological improvements in patients, with about 30% feeling better just by taking them.
- The absolute risk of itching for those on the new drug was 15.96%, while for those on the placebo it was 1.68%. The relative risk of itching for the new drug compared to the placebo was 9.25, meaning those on the new drug were 9.25 times more likely to experience itching than those on the placebo.
