Regression to the Mean: A Statistical Phenomenon of Worthy Consideration in Anemia Research.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Regression to the mean (RTM) is a statistical phenomenon where second measurements are more likely to be closer to the mean. This is particularly observed in those with baseline values further from the mean. Anemic individuals (hemoglobin <120 g/L) are often recruited when evaluating iron supplementation programs, as they are more likely to elicit a greater hemoglobin response; however, they are also at greater risk for RTM as their baseline values are lower than the overall population mean.

Objective

The aim was to calculate and apply RTM to a previously conducted iron supplementation trial of women in Cambodia at increasingly severe baseline anemia cutoffs (hemoglobin <120 g/L, <115 g/L, and <110 g/L).

Methods

Women received either 60 mg/d iron (n 

SUBMITTER: Cochrane KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7596246 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature