title: When it is better to estimate a slope with only one point.
abstract: When investigating the change in a biomarker, it is often believed that at least two measurements are needed from each participant, and that those with only one measurement should be excluded. In this short note, we explain why this could lead to imprecise and biased estimates. Furthermore, we discuss a standard statistical method that handles such issues.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U897 Epidemiology & Biostatistics, ISPED, Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, 146 rue Léo Saignat 33076 Bordeaux Cedex, France. rodolphe.thiebaut@isped.u-bordeaux2.fr
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thiébaut
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D015982:Bias; D015415:Biomarkers; D003198:Computer Simulation / Q000592:standards*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers