Large Sample Size Fallacy in Trials About Antipsychotics for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Dementia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A typical antipsychotics for neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia have been tested in much larger trials than the older conventional drugs. The advantage of larger sample sizes is that negative findings become less likely and the effect estimates more precise. However, as sample sizes increase, the trials also get more expensive and time consuming while exposing more patients to drugs with unknown safety profiles. Moreover, a large sample size might yield a statistically significant effect that is not necessarily clinically relevant.

Objective

To assess (1) the variation in sample size and sample size calculations of antipsychotic trials in dementia, (2) the size of reported treatment effects and related statistical significance, and (3) general study characteris

SUBMITTER: Hulshof TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7047221 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature