Study design and sample size considerations for half-life studies.
Most studies on the half-lives of environmental contaminants have been based on small sample sizes and a limited number of repeated measurements. In this paper, we address issues of study design and sample size for half-life studies. Useful guidelines are provided for choosing the number of repeats and the optimal time interval between repeats for estimating an individual's half-life with a given level of precision, while minimizing the cost of the study. In addition, sample size and power considerations for studies comparing two population half-lives are investigated. An example is presented using data from a study on polychlorinated biphenyls and breast cancer.
Kim
M Y
MY
Institute of Environmental Medicine and Kaplan Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York University Medical Center, NY 10010, USA.
Dubin
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N
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006207:Half-Life; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000633:toxicity; D012107:Research Design; D018401:Sample Size
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls