There is a way of understanding how much modern medicine has to offer individual patients. A simple statistical concept called the “Number-Needed-to-Treat” (NNT) offers a measurement of the impact of a medication or therapy by estimating the number of patients that need to be treated in order to have an impact on one person. Here are a few examples pertinent to allergy and immunology
Combination Inhalers (Steroids Plus Bronchidilators) for Childhood Asthma | The NNT http://goo.gl/0rh9u
Combination Inhalers (Steroids Plus Bronchidilators) for Adult Asthma | The NNT is 73 for asthma attack prevention http://goo.gl/ZgNir
Continuous vs. Intermittent Beta Agonists for Asthma Attack | The NNT http://www.thennt.com/continuous-vs-intermittent-beta-agonists-for-asthma-attack
Inhaled Steroids upon Discharge for Asthma Attack | The NNT http://goo.gl/gURCk
Nebulized Ipratropium for Asthma Attack | The NNT http://goo.gl/J5mOu
Steroids for Asthma Attack | The NNT is 8 http://goo.gl/t6okE
Steroids for Croup | The NNT is 5 http://goo.gl/MKnLY
References:
http://www.thennt.com
http://www.thennt.com/the-nnt-explained
Image source: pixelperfectdigital.com
Comments from Twitter:
Javier Benítez @jvrbntz: thanks we need to learn more about number needed to treat to be conscientious physicians