The effect of alternative summary statistics for communicating risk reduction on decisions about taking statins: a randomized trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

While different ways of presenting treatment effects can affect health care decisions, little is known about which presentations best help people make decisions consistent with their own values. We compared six summary statistics for communicating coronary heart disease (CHD) risk reduction with statins: relative risk reduction and five absolute summary measures-absolute risk reduction, number needed to treat, event rates, tablets needed to take, and natural frequencies.

Methods and findings

We conducted a randomized trial to determine which presentation resulted in choices most consistent with participants' values. We recruited adult volunteers who participated through an interactive Web site. Participants rated the relative importance of outcomes using visual an

SUBMITTER: Carling CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2724738 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature