If benefit is maintained over 12 months then at a threshold value of £20,000 the intervention is expected to be cost-effective in 89.6% of simulations.> When we calculate QALYs adjusted for baseline differences in the control and intervention population, the intervention becomes less likely to be cost-effective across all time-horizons and threshold values.
While it is controversial whether or not to control for baseline differences in randomized controlled trials, some analysts have argued that doing so improves the power without introducing bias [ 24].
Although it may have rendered it more difficult to determine baseline differences in RA vs. controls, the design allows repeated analyses in a comparably large cohort.
Because our small sample size did not permit equal distribution of potential confounders, we also performed multivariate analyses, using linear regression and logistic regression, to account for baseline differences in the intervention and control groups.
Comparison 4 addresses the clinical question "Does treatment effect differ between the g+ and g− subgroups?" However, this analysis is not a randomized study; also, the observed difference between the two subgroups may be associated with a baseline difference in the control arm, Comparison 5.
Second, baseline differences in education among intervention and control patients raise the possibility of unmeasured confounding.
However, our multivariable analyses did control for baseline differences in the care needs level of the recipients.
Neither do they control for baseline differences in exposure to interventions or between individuals, or influences on results due to inter-departmental migration, [ 52, 53].
ANCOVA models included HbA1c, triglycerides, and hypertension (defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg or drug treatment) as covariates to statistically control for baseline differences in these variables.
The level of physical activity might have had an influence on the CT effects; therefore, future studies on CPT should control for baseline differences in physical fitness.
