Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine William J. Powers, M.D.-- Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Radiology Washington University School of Medicine -- Presented July 11, 2006
• What is intent-to-treat analysis?
◊ All subjects are analyzed in the groups to which they were randomized whether they successfully complete the treatment or not
• Why is intent-to-treat analysis so important?
◊ It mimics the real life decision
▪ At diagnosis, you have to decide what treatment to try without knowing if the individual patient will successfully complete it
◊ It accounts for patients going off protocol
▪ Benefits can be inflated by not analyzing non-responders who drop out
◊ It accounts for toxicity
▪ Benefits can be inflated by not analyzing subjects who drop out because of side effects
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