Reduction in number to treat versus number needed to treat

Number Needed to Treat

Number needed to treat (NNT); number needed to harm (NNH).

Number needed to treat in COPD: exacerbations versus pneumonias.

BACKGROUND Several recent trials in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have assessed the effectiveness of the fluticasone-salmeterol combination inhaler in preventing COPD exacerbations, while finding an increased risk of pneumonia. The number needed to treat (NNT) is a simple measure to perform the comparative benefit-risk impact, but its calculation involving repeated outcome events...

Number needed to treat in COPD: exacerbations versus pneumonias

Received 9 September 2012 Accepted 8 October 2012 ABSTRACT Background Several recent trials in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have assessed the effectiveness of the fluticasone–salmeterol combination inhaler in preventing COPD exacerbations, while finding an increased risk of pneumonia. The number needed to treat (NNT) is a simple measure to perform the comparative benefit–risk im...

Number needed to treat and baseline risks.