Abstract

JASSIR ACOSTA, María Paula  and  GOMEZ-RESTREPO MSC, PHD, Carlos. Number Needed to Treat and Number Needed to Harm: Its Importance. Univ. Med. [online]. 2021, vol.62, n.2, e31886.  Epub Apr 15, 2021. ISSN 0041-9095.  https://doi.org/10.11144/javeriana.umed62-2.nnnt.

In order to comprehend the results of research studies in health it is important to have clarity about certain epidemiologic and statistical concepts. The objective of this article is to explain, in a clear and simple manner, the concepts of the number needed to treat and number needed to harm, how to calculate these measures, the importance of the interpretations of their values and its application in clinical contexts with examples. We will also talk about the limitations of their use that have been frequently discussed in the literature.

Keywords : number needed to treat; epidemiology; biostatistics.

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