Re: st: Sample size calculation

[Roger Newson <roger.newson@kcl.ac.uk>]

My previous experience with cytokines is that (if measured well) they 
should have an approximately log-normal distribution. Therefore, to compare 
2 groups of cytokine measurements, the correct approach is probably to 
define a confidence interval for a ratio of geometric means. To do power 
calculations for this, you need to know two main things, firstly the size 
of a clinically interesting geometric mean ratio to be detected, and 
secondly the likely within-group variability of the logs (which may be 
measured by coefficient of variation, SD of the logs, interpercentile 
ratio, or sometimes by geometric SD).

Power calculations for lognormally distributed variables are discussed in 
Newson (2004), which can be downloaded from my website (see my signature 
below) either using a browser or by typing within Stata

net describe powergen, from(http://www.kcl-phs.org.uk/rogernewson/papers)

and getting the ancillary file -powergen.pdf-. Geometric means and their 
ratios in Stata are discussed in Newson (2003), which can also be 
downloaded from my website either using a browser or typing within Stata

net describe gmratio, from(http://www.kcl-phs.org.uk/rogernewson/papers)

and getting the ancillary file -gmratio.pdf-. Another good source on the 
lognormal distribution is Stanislav Kolenikov's website at
http://www.komkon.org/~tacik/
which features a very useful reference with formulas at
http://www.komkon.org/~tacik/science/lognorm.pdf

I hope this helps.

Best wishes

Roger


References

Newson R. 2003. Stata tip 1: The eform() option of regress. The Stata 
Journal 3(4): 445. Also downloadable from my website at
http://www.kcl-phs.org.uk/rogernewson/


Newson R. 2004. Generalized power calculations for generalized linear 
models and more. The Stata Journal 4(4): 379-401. Also downloadable from my 
website at
http://www.kcl-phs.org.uk/rogernewson/




At 16:01 26/10/2005, Ronan wrote:

> On 26 DF�mh 2005, at 14:19, <slaowattana@pol.net>
> <slaowattana@pol.net> wrote:
>
> > We are planning to measure some cytokines in patients with MS
> > comparing
> > between a group with treatment and control, but there have not been
> > literatures regarding these measurements, so we do not have an
> > estimated
> > mean and standard deviation. Is there a way to estimate a sample size?
> > (our IRB really wants to see sample size estimate.) Thanks.
> You really are in the dark, then.
>
> There are several approaches. The Resource Equation method
>
> http://embryo.ib.amwaw.edu.pl/invittox/er/ER/ER%2029.pdf see page 9
>
> is useful in a preliminary experiment. It's based on the idea that
> the amount of information in each new piece of data diminishes as the
> sample size increases.
>
> It allows you to estimate the sample size needed to ascertain whether
> a study would be useful or not. It is often used in animal research
> where investigators have no idea at all of what they might find.
>
> Ron�n Conroy
> rconroy@rcsi.ie
>
>
>
>
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--
Roger Newson
Lecturer in Medical Statistics
Department of Public Health Sciences
Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology
King's College London

5th Floor, Capital House
42 Weston Street
London SE1 3QD
United Kingdom

Tel: 020 7848 6648 International +44 20 7848 6648
Fax: 020 7848 6620 International +44 20 7848 6620
  or 020 7848 6605 International +44 20 7848 6605
Email: roger.newson@kcl.ac.uk
Website: http://phs.kcl.ac.uk/rogernewson/

Opinions expressed are those of the author, not the institution.


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