On the Interpretation of the Hazard Ratio and Communication of Survival Benefit.
This brief communication will clarify the difference between a relative hazard and a relative risk. We highlight the importance of this difference, and demonstrate in practical terms that 1 minus the hazard ratio should not be interpreted as a risk reduction in the commonly understood sense of the term. This article aims to provide a better understanding of the type of risk reduction that a hazard ratio implies, thereby clarifying the intent in the communication among practitioners and researchers and establishing an accurate and realistic foundation for communicating with patients.The Oncologist2017;22:484-486.
Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA Sashegyi_andreas@lilly.com.
Andreas
A
Sashegyi
Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
David
D
Ferry
D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012306:Risk