Adjusted horizontal stacked bar graphs ("Grotta bars") for consistent presentation of observational stroke study results.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores are used to measure functional outcomes after stroke. Researchers create horizontal stacked bar graphs (nicknamed "Grotta bars") to illustrate distributional differences in scores between groups. In well-conducted randomized controlled trials, Grotta bars have a causal interpretation. However, the common practice of exclusively presenting unadjusted Grotta bars in observational studies can be misleading in the presence of confounding. We demonstrated this problem and a possible solution using an empirical comparison of 3-month mRS scores among stroke/TIA patients discharged home versus elsewhere after hospitalization.

Patients and methods

Using data from the Berlin-based B-SPATIAL registry, we estimated the probability of being d

SUBMITTER: Rohmann JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10069225 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature