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On the bias caused by regression toward the mean in studying the relation between change and initial value
Author(s) -
Blomqvist Nils
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1987.tb01510.x
Subject(s) - regression toward the mean , regression , phenomenon , regression analysis , value (mathematics) , statistics , econometrics , variable (mathematics) , selection bias , linear regression , psychology , medicine , mathematics , epistemology , mathematical analysis , philosophy
In studies of treatment effects in clinical trials and longitudinal follow‐up investigations, it is not unusual to inquire as to whether a relationship exists between the change of a variable and its initial value, for example pocket depth. Such studies must be carried out with great care, since the results are biassed by the regression towards the mean (RTM) effect. Examples are presented, the magnitude of the RTM effect is estimated and means of dealing with the RTM problem are discussed. RTM also appears as a selection phenomenon, emphasizing the need to include control groups in order to make possible adjustments for the bias caused by RTM.