Results indicated that some PFTs may have some prognostic utility , i.e. a trend for more clinical events to be associated with groups classified as ' aspirin resistant ' .
Study -level effect sizes were generally small and absolute outcome risk was not substantially different between ' aspirin resistant ' and ' aspirin sensitive ' design ations .
Based on assumptions of PFTs being able to accurately identify patients at high risk of clinical events and such patients benefiting from treatment modification , the economic model found that a test-treat strategy was likely to be cost-effective .
However , neither assumption is currently evidence based .
BACKGROUND The use of aspirin is well established for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease .
However , a proportion of patients suffer repeat cardiovascular events despite being prescribed aspirin treatment .
It is uncertain whether or not this is due to an inherent inability of aspirin to sufficiently modify platelet activity .
This report aims to investigate whether or not insufficient platelet function inhibition by aspirin ( ' aspirin resistance ' ) , as defined using platelet function tests ( PFTs ) , is linked to the occurrence of adverse clinical outcomes , and further , whether or not patients at risk of future adverse clinical events can be identified through PFTs .
OBJECTIVES To review systematic ally the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness evidence regarding the association between PFT design ation of ' aspirin resistance ' and the risk of adverse clinical outcome ( s ) in patients prescribed aspirin therapy .
To undertake exploratory model-based cost-effectiveness analysis on the use of PFTs .
Dichotomizing continuous predictors in multiple regression: a bad idea.
In medical research , continuous variables are often converted into categorical variables by grouping values into two or more categories . We consider in detail issues pertaining to creating just two groups , a common approach in clinical research . We argue that the simplicity achieved is gained at a cost ; dichotomization may create rather than avoid problems , notably a considerable loss of power and residual confounding . In addition , the use of a data -derived ' optimal ' cutpoint leads to serious bias . We illustrate the impact of dichotomization of continuous predictor variables using as a detailed case study a r and omized trial in primary biliary cirrhosis . Dichotomization of continuous data is unnecessary for statistical analysis and in particular should not be applied to explanatory variables in regression models
Results indicated that some PFTs may have some prognostic utility , i.e. a trend for more clinical events to be associated with groups classified as ' aspirin resistant ' .
Study -level effect sizes were generally small and absolute outcome risk was not substantially different between ' aspirin resistant ' and ' aspirin sensitive ' design ations .
Based on assumptions of PFTs being able to accurately identify patients at high risk of clinical events and such patients benefiting from treatment modification , the economic model found that a test-treat strategy was likely to be cost-effective .
However , neither assumption is currently evidence based .
BACKGROUND The use of aspirin is well established for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease .
However , a proportion of patients suffer repeat cardiovascular events despite being prescribed aspirin treatment .
It is uncertain whether or not this is due to an inherent inability of aspirin to sufficiently modify platelet activity .
This report aims to investigate whether or not insufficient platelet function inhibition by aspirin ( ' aspirin resistance ' ) , as defined using platelet function tests ( PFTs ) , is linked to the occurrence of adverse clinical outcomes , and further , whether or not patients at risk of future adverse clinical events can be identified through PFTs .
OBJECTIVES To review systematic ally the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness evidence regarding the association between PFT design ation of ' aspirin resistance ' and the risk of adverse clinical outcome ( s ) in patients prescribed aspirin therapy .
To undertake exploratory model-based cost-effectiveness analysis on the use of PFTs .