Background: Composite measures, like the Disease Activity Score for 28 joints (DAS28), are key primary outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) trials. DAS28 combines four different components in a continuous measure. When one or more of these components are missing the overall composite score is also missing at intermediate or trial endpoint assessments.
Objectives: This study examined missing data patterns and mechanisms in a longitudinal RA trial to evaluate how best to handle missingness when analysing composite outcomes.
Design: The Tumour-Necrosis-Factor Inhibitors against Combination Intensive Therapy (TACIT) trial was an open label, pragmatic randomized multicentre two arm non-inferiority study. Patients were followed up for 12 months, with monthly measurement of the composite outcome and its components. Active RA patients were randomized to conventional disease modifying drugs (cDMARDs) or Tumour Necrosis Factor-α inhibitors (TNFis).
Methods: The TACIT trial was used to explore the extent of missing data in the composite outcome, DAS28. Patterns of missing data in components and the composite outcome were examined graphically. Longitudinal multivariable logistic regression analysis assessed missing data mechanisms during follow-up.
Results: Two hundred and five patients were randomized: at 12 months 59/205 (29%) had unobserved composite outcome and 146/205 (71%) had an observed DAS28 outcome; however, 34/146 had one or more intermediate assessments missing. We observed mixed missing data patterns, especially for the missing composite outcome due to one component missing rather than patient not attending thier visit. Age and gender predicted missingness components, providing strong evidence the missing observations were unlikely to be Missing Completely at Random (MCAR).
Conclusion: Researchers should undertake detailed evaluations of missing data patterns and mechanisms at the final and intermediate time points, whether or not the outcome variable is a composite outcome. In addition, the impact on treatment estimates in patients who only provide data at milestone assessments need to be assessed.
Trial Registration Isrctn Number: 37438295.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1759720X221114103 | DOI Listing |
J Clin Aesthet Dermatol
January 2024
Mr. Davidson is with Fallon Medica in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, and was an employee of Bristol Myers Squibb at the time of manuscript development.
Numerous clinical trials have established that various biologic and oral small-molecule therapies are efficacious in patients with psoriasis. However, as there are limited head-to-head trials, healthcare providers may compare results across multiple trials when providing treatment recommendations. Direct comparisons among agents are challenging because psoriasis trials differ in terms of study design, patient population, and data analysis methodologies.
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Geisinger Musculoskeletal Institute, Division of Adult Reconstruction, Scranton, PA, USA.
Background: Patients who "no-show" (NS) clinical appointments are at a higher risk of poor healthcare outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate and characterize the relationship between patient NS prior to primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and 90-day complication risk after THA.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 4147 patients undergoing primary THA.
Heliyon
January 2025
Department of Software Engineering, College of Computer Engineering and Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia.
The prediction of energy consumption in households is essential due to the reliance on electrical appliances for daily activities. Accurate assessment of energy demand is crucial for effective energy generation, preventing overloads and optimizing energy storage. Traditional techniques have limitations in accuracy and error rates, necessitating advancements in prediction techniques.
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Ciber de Enfermedades Respiratorias (Ciberes) Barcelona, Spain.
Introduction: Lower respiratory infections have a huge impact on global health, especially in older individuals, immunocompromised people, and those with chronic comorbidities. The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of vaccination. However, there are lower rates of vaccination in the adult population that are commonly due to a missed opportunity to vaccinate.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Public Health
January 2025
Behavioural Science and Insights Unit, Evaluation & Translation Directorate, Science Group, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, UK.
Introduction: The experiences of UK Government response-focused employees, who were considered frontline workers during the coronavirus response, are missing from current literature. Meeting the demands of being on the frontline, whilst also adjusting from a normal and practiced way of working to having to work from within one's home, may bring a plethora of new barriers and facilitators associated with providing an effective pandemic response.
Method: This interview study collected and analysed data from 30 UK Civil servants who worked on the COVID-19 pandemic response from their own homes.
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