SOME FUNDAMENTAL STATISTICAL CONCEPTS IN CLINICAL-TRIALS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN HERPES-ZOSTER

The correct application of appropriate statistical methods in clinical trials is essential for deriving valid conclusions. This paper covers a number of the key principles, with particular relevance to studies in herpes tester. The distinct roles of the P-value and the confidence interval are investigated and their use in the assessment of the equivalence of two treatments evaluated. The principle of intent-to-treat is discussed and is seen to be vitally important for obtaining correct conclusions. The definition of endpoints in the assessment of pain in herpes tester is controversial; it is argued here that the only valid approach is to consider the time from start of treatment to complete cessation of all pain. Finally, methods for the evaluation of time to event data are explained in general terms, and particular drawbacks relevant to herpes tester are discussed.