A randomized trial was conducted for the management of sciatica comparing an early surgery strategy vs. conservative care an additional 6 months followed by surgery for patients who did not improve. Of the 267 patients eligible for the study, 131 were randomly assigned to undergo early surgery and 136 to prolonged conservative care. Of the 131 patients in the surgery group, 15 recovered before surgery could be performed. Of the 136 patients in the conservative care group, 54 actually underwent surgery in the first year. Thus, a total of (131 − 15) + 54 = 170 patients actually received surgery and 15 + (136 − 54) = 97 patients received no surgery. The primary results were presented based on treatment actually received. An MRI was performed at 1 year of follow-up to determine whether disk herniation was present and, if so, the extent of herniation compared to baseline. Definite disk herniation was present for 15 patients who received surgery and for 25 patients who received no surgery. a. What test can be performed to compare the prevalence of disk herniation between the patients who received surgery vs. the patients who did not receive surgery? b. Perform the test in the problem above and report a two sided p-value. c. Interpret the results from part b in words.
A randomized trial was conducted for the management of sciatica comparing an early surgery strategy vs. conservative care an additional 6 months followed by surgery for patients who did not improve. Of the 267 patients eligible for the study, 131 were randomly assigned to undergo early surgery and 136 to prolonged conservative care. Of the 131 patients in the surgery group, 15 recovered before surgery could be performed. Of the 136 patients in the conservative care group, 54 actually underwent surgery in the first year. Thus, a total of (131 − 15) + 54 = 170 patients actually received surgery and 15 + (136 − 54) = 97 patients received no surgery. The primary results were presented based on treatment actually received. An MRI was performed at 1 year of follow-up to determine whether disk herniation was present and, if so, the extent of herniation compared to baseline. Definite disk herniation was present for 15 patients who received surgery and for 25 patients who received no surgery.
a. What test can be performed to compare the prevalence of disk herniation between the patients who received surgery vs. the patients who did not receive surgery?
b. Perform the test in the problem above and report a two sided p-value.
c. Interpret the results from part b in words.
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 4 steps
