title: Procedures for testing the homogeneity of relative difference in sparse data.
abstract: To quantify the excess effect of an experimental treatment over a placebo group in clinical trials, we often consider use of the relative difference, defined as the proportion of patients who would respond to the experimental treatment among those who would not otherwise if they were assigned to the placebo group. To control the effects due to confounders on the response of interest, we frequently employ stratified analysis in practice. Before obtaining a summary estimate of the relative difference, it is desirable to assess whether this measure is constant across strata. Based on the beta-binomial model, we develop simple procedures for testing the homogeneity of relative difference for sparse data in which we have many strata but few patients per stratum. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we demonstrate that the proposed test procedures can generally perform well with respect to type I error in a variety of situations. We further evaluate and study the power of these test procedures. Finally, we note some robustness in using the test procedures proposed here.
authors: Department of Mathematics and Statistics, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-7720, USA. kjl@rohan.sdsu.edu
authors: Kung-Jong
authors: KJ
authors: Lui
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents