Number-needed-to-treat (NNT) for allergy and immunology conditions

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