[Application of Excel programs of Fisher exact probability test for medical data].
OBJECTIVE
To accomplish the computation of Fisher exact probability test for fourfold table data in Excel.


METHODS
The computing program of exact probability method for medical data in fourfold table design was edited by employing the IF statement and the relevant functions, such as SUM, FACT, DSUM, etc in Excel. The computational results are compared and evaluated according to the case studies.


RESULTS
The output of Fisher Exact Probability was generated and presented correctly following the input of four numerical values into the computation program in the setting of Excel. The parametric outcomes are in agreement with those produced by SAS and SPSS, in the combination tables containing the P value, two-tailed cumulative P value, left-tailed P-value, right-tailed P-value, Chi2 values and P values both for direct Chi-squared test and corrected Chi-squared test.


CONCLUSIONS
Direct Chi-squared test, corrected Chi-squared test combined with Fisher Exact Probability test for fourfold table data can be conveniently, rapidly, and accurately accomplished in Excel.
Chen
Qing-shan
QS
Epidemiology Division, Public Heath and Tropical Medicine College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. tchqsh@jnu.edu.cn
Wang
Wei
W
Lin
Pei-xian
PX
Zhong
Qian-hong
QH
Yu
Shou-yi
SY
D008490:Medical Informatics; D011336:Probability; D012984:Software