title: [Use and interpretation of the number needed to treat in urological practice].
abstract: The number needed to treat (NNT) is a useful way for clinicans to describe the benefit or harm of a treatment as well as the costs involved. When interpreting the NNT it is essential to use the NNT in a clinically equivalent and appropriate setting. When evaluating the consequences of a treatment clinicians should make sure that the patients being treated have the same risk profile asthe study patients. Differences in duration of follow-up and baseline risks can cause significant changes in the NNT; therefore, NNT should be evaluated in addition to relative risk differences and baseline risk to reduce any ambivalence in the assessment of a treatment. This review provides insights into the assessment and clinical use of NNT in the practice.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Urologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Deutschland.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Kluth
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rink
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Shariat
authors.forename: F K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fisch
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dahm
mesh_terms: D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D061366:Numbers Needed To Treat / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014572:Urology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*