Thanks for my colleagure who point out my mistake in calculating the sample size adjusting for the drop out rate. According to the sample size calculation, we estimated that 100 subjects would be needed to detect the statistical differences. Considering 20% drop out rate, what is the # of subjects to be randomized?
It is not 100 + 100*20% = 120
It should be 100 / (1-0.2) = 125
It means that with 125 randomized subjects, if 25 subjects (20% of 125) drop out, we still have 100 subjects left. This is correct way to adjust for the drop out rate.
Any specific reason why 100*20/100 not to be use?
ReplyDeleteCaution: I may not be correct
ReplyDeleteIf the minimum sample required to show the difference is 100, anything less than that makes ur study underpowered.
100*20/100 = 120>>>>>>> suppose as u expeted if 20% drops out (i.e., 120*20/100 =24>>>> that is 24 subjects are dropping out from your total sample of 120 and u end up having data of only 96)