title: Sample size adjustments for varying cluster sizes in cluster randomized trials with binary outcomes analyzed with second-order PQL mixed logistic regression.
abstract: Adjustments of sample size formulas are given for varying cluster sizes in cluster randomized trials with a binary outcome when testing the treatment effect with mixed effects logistic regression using second-order penalized quasi-likelihood estimation (PQL). Starting from first-order marginal quasi-likelihood (MQL) estimation of the treatment effect, the asymptotic relative efficiency of unequal versus equal cluster sizes is derived. A Monte Carlo simulation study shows this asymptotic relative efficiency to be rather accurate for realistic sample sizes, when employing second-order PQL. An approximate, simpler formula is presented to estimate the efficiency loss due to varying cluster sizes when planning a trial. In many cases sampling 14 per cent more clusters is sufficient to repair the efficiency loss due to varying cluster sizes. Since current closed-form formulas for sample size calculation are based on first-order MQL, planning a trial also requires a conversion factor to obtain the variance of the second-order PQL estimator. In a second Monte Carlo study, this conversion factor turned out to be 1.25 at most.
authors.affiliation: Department of Methodology and Statistics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. math.candel@stat.unimaas.nl
authors.forename: Math J J M
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Candel
authors.forename: Gerard J P
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Van Breukelen
mesh_terms: D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D018401:Sample Size