Guidelines to understand and compute the number needed to treat

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective We aim to explain the unadjusted, adjusted and marginal number needed to treat (NNT) and provide software for clinicians to compute them. Methods The NNT is an efficacy index that is commonly used in randomised clinical trials. The NNT is the average number of patients needed to treat to obtain one successful outcome (ie, response) due to treatment. We developed the nntcalc R package for desktop use and extended it to a user-friendly web application. We provided users with a user-friendly step-by-step guide. The application calculates the NNT for various models with and without explanatory variables. The implemented models for the adjusted NNT are linear regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA), logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression. If no explanatory variables are available, one can compute the unadjusted Laupacis et al's NNT, Kraemer and Kupfer's NNT and the Furukawa and Leucht's NNT. All NNT estimators are computed with their associated appropriate 95% confidence intervals. All calculations are in R and are replicable. Results The application provides the user with an easy-to-use web application to compute the NNT in different settings and models. We illustrate the use of the application from examples in schizophrenia research based on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. The application is available from https://nntcalc.iem.technion.ac.il. The output is given in a journal compatible text format, which users can copy and paste or download in a comma-separated values format. Conclusion This application will help researchers and clinicians assess the efficacy of treatment and consequently improve the quality and accuracy of decisions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)131-136
Number of pages6
JournalEvidence-Based Mental Health
Volume24
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Nov 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Schizophrenia & psychotic disorders

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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