Impact of unequal cluster sizes for GEE analyses of stepped wedge cluster randomized trials with binary outcomes.

ABSTRACT: The stepped wedge (SW) design is a type of unidirectional crossover design where cluster units switch from control to intervention condition at different prespecified time points. While a convention in study planning is to assume the cluster-period sizes are identical, SW cluster randomized trials (SW-CRTs) involving repeated cross-sectional designs frequently have unequal cluster-period sizes, which can impact the efficiency of the treatment effect estimator. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive investigation of the efficiency impact of unequal cluster sizes for generalized estimating equation analyses of SW-CRTs, with a focus on binary outcomes as in the Washington State Expedited Partner Therapy trial. Several major distinctions between our work and existing work include the follow

SUBMITTER: Tian Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9292617 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature