Just Another Statistic?

All statistical endpoints e. There is no reason to believe that this problem does not occasionally occur with respect to defining a death as due to the index cancer or to intercurrent disease, even though this issue has been poorly studied. In many oncologic situations—for example, metastatic lung cancer—this form of bias does not exist. In some situations, such as head and neck cancer, this could be an intermediate problem Was that lethal chest tumor a second primary or a metastasis? Would the fatal aspiration pneumonia have occurred if he still had a tongue? And what about Mr.

What we are most concerned about with this form of bias relates to recent series on observation, such as in early prostate cancer. Thus, it is implied that many prostate cancer metastases are usually not of themselves lethal, which is a misconception to anyone experienced in taking care of prostate cancer patients.

This is inconsistent with U.

another statistic

We will not know without an independent review of the medical records of individual patients; in some cases, even the most detailed review, sometimes even an autopsy, will not be conclusive. There are only a few data available describing the problems created by cause-of-death-interpretation bias.

One small study, presented only in abstract form, assessed the cause of death in 50 randomly selected prostate cancer patients who died [ 4 ]. Five experts in prostate cancer were asked to assign the cause of death as due to or not due to prostate cancer. Studies of autopsies, which are now rarely done in the U. There needs to be more research on the validity and interobserver reproducibility of the DSS. In the meantime, researchers should not report DSS without reporting OS and the reasons for intercurrent deaths should be described—peer reviewers should enforce this.

As with so many other problems with statistics in the medical literature, it is the job of the reader to remain skeptical. The rate of intercurrent deaths in a study should reflect the age and demographics of the study population. If the DSS is far superior to the OS, the population being studied may be unusually sick and thus unrealistic , or there may be a bias in classifying the causes of death. Similarly, if the DSS and OS are identical unless a highly virulent malignancy is being studied , it may suggest the researchers have only included an unusually healthy and thus unrealistic patient population.

I was not involved in sports, because my free time was spent studying or at work. Beyond growing up quickly, I had to face another adversity.

• Definition Not just another statistic;
• The Good Soldier: A Tale of Passion (Oxford Worlds Classics).
• Louis II de Bavière (French Edition).
• La gelosia (I quaderni della Stellina Vol. 3) (Italian Edition).
• English vocabulary translation & definition Not just another statistic | Gymglish!

Being born early resulted in some disabilities, so I was in special ed for all of elementary and middle school. In high school, I decided not to accept any more accommodations. I was a C student all the way up to the end of freshman year. I became more committed to my schoolwork without the extra assistance, to prove I could do it on my own. Through hard work and dedication, my grades improved. I became the first in my family to attend college. I knew I would have to stand on my own in college and in life and I was ready to accept it sooner. Everyone has a choice on how to live their life and I choose to live mine with independence and responsibility.

I am proud to work to pay for my own phone, car and insurance. There are things I know I have missed out on. It can be hard at times to relate to my carefree friends. When they complain about their strict parents, I want to tell them how lucky they are to have them.

"Just Another Statistic"

My father is in prison and he is not here for me. Instead I need to be there for him, like sending him money when I can. It has made me stronger. Based on statistics, there is a high probability I too would do drugs, or be a teen mom or a dropout. But everyday, I am determined to beat those odds.

"Just Another Statistic"

I am excited about college and my future. What we are most concerned about with this form of bias relates to recent series on observation, such as in early prostate cancer.

Thus, it is implied that many prostate cancer metastases are usually not of themselves lethal, which is a misconception to anyone experienced in taking care of prostate cancer patients. This is inconsistent with U. It is possible that many deaths attributed to intercurrent disease in "watchful waiting" series were in fact prostate cancer-related, perhaps related to failure to thrive, urosepsis, or pulmonary emboli. We will not know without an independent review of the medical records of individual patients; in some cases, even the most detailed review, sometimes even an autopsy, will not be conclusive.

There are only a few data available describing the problems created by cause-of-death-interpretation bias. One small study, presented only in abstract form, assessed the cause of death in 50 randomly selected prostate cancer patients who died.

Five experts in prostate cancer were asked to assign the cause of death as due to or not due to prostate cancer. Studies of autopsies, which are now rarely done in the U.

Excellence Is Not a ‘White Thing’

There needs to be more research on the validity and interobserver reproducibility of the DSS. In the meantime, researchers should not report DSS without reporting OS and the reasons for intercurrent deaths should be described-peer reviewers should enforce this. As with so many other problems with statistics in the medical literature, it is the job of the reader to remain skeptical. The rate of intercurrent deaths in a study should reflect the age and demographics of the study population.

If the DSS is far superior to the OS, the population being studied may be unusually sick and thus unrealistic , or there may be a bias in classifying the causes of death. Similarly, if the DSS and OS are identical unless a highly virulent malignancy is being studied , it may suggest the researchers have only included an unusually healthy and thus unrealistic patient population.