Estimands: a new way of interpreting the results of clinical essays

  1. Martín-Vallejo, Javier 2
  2. Miramontes-González, José P. 1
  3. Gómez-Huelgas, Ricardo 3
  1. 1 Universidad de Valladolid
    info

    Universidad de Valladolid

    Valladolid, España

    ROR https://ror.org/01fvbaw18

  2. 2 Universidad de Salamanca
    info

    Universidad de Salamanca

    Salamanca, España

    ROR https://ror.org/02f40zc51

  3. 3 Universidad de Málaga
    info

    Universidad de Málaga

    Málaga, España

    ROR https://ror.org/036b2ww28

Journal:
Spanish Journal of Medicine

ISSN: 2696-5631

Year of publication: 2023

Volume: 3

Issue: 1

Type: Article

DOI: 10.24875/SJMED.22000015 GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openOpen access editor

More publications in: Spanish Journal of Medicine

Abstract

Considering the need to homogenize and strengthen the principles of statistical methodology in clinical trials, and to prevent biases in trial design and losses in results, regulatory authorities have encouraged the use of new statistical concepts that help avoid these problems. Based on this idea, estimands were developed with the special purpose of solving the problem of missing data at the end of clinical trials, a fact that conditions the reliability of the results and the fulfillment of the objectives of a study. Estimands can be seen as a bridge between objectives and statistical tools, allowing a clear and coherent presentation of results. In this article, we explain in simple terms the concept of estimands, and the benefits of incorporating them into the interpretation of clinical trials.