As far As I know, you have hit it on spot. I am not a Stats expert but with respect to CI and odds ratios. That is correct. I double checked in the study guide for biostat (the 2011 edition). It does state that CI for OR/RR  with a 1 in it is insignificant. All other CI with a 0 in it's range is insignificant.  

The reasoning I am using to know when significance counts for CI=0 or CI=1 is the following:

In a prospective trial (i.e. comparing 2 means or difference between 2 estimates e.g. cure rates as %) a CI that includes 0 means no difference between variables can be interpreted as statistically significant.

For observational studies or epidemiologic trials (e.g. cohorts or case controls ) i.e. trials that will include odds ratios or relative risks (e.g. reduced MI) a value of 1 for RR means no dofference in risk and when CI includes 1 there is statistical significance.

In short this means for OR or RR, CI=1=insignificant

In absence of OR / RR, CI=0=insignificant 

So far this is working for me - I would appreciate if someone check it out.      

CI can be used for difference or RR/OR. For CI of difference, if 0 is included, no difference; For CI of RR/OR, when 1 is included, no difference.

Please let me know if you need more clarification. my email is xdf2008@gmail.com.

hi

nice to join and get prepared for BCPS exam next year.

thanks

I have one specific stats question that is driving me crazy.  I have searched and searched, unsuccessfully, for a clear-cut answer on this one.   It relates to confidence intervals.  I think that I am correct in stating that an inclusion of “1” within the confidence intervals of cohort (relative risk) and case-control (odds ratio) studies renders any such study statistically not significant.   However, I have read in certain situations/study types (and seen in certain study question answers) when looking at confidence intervals that “0” within the confidence interval (not “1”) renders the study findings statistically not significant.  When is this the case AND how does one differentiate these cases from OR and/or RR (when “1” renders the findings stat. not significant)?  I would appreciate ANY advice that you can give on this one.  

There may be more answers discussed within the BioStats chapter, but they were hard to find bc they are embedded in the notes. If you post the page numbers, I can try to find more. Hope this helps.

pg 149 Descriptive Stats Example

Sample Data Set Mean = 60.8 Median = 61 Mode = 65

Std Deviation = no answer given, will not be expected to calculate

Range can be reported as either 87 - 46 or 41

pg 154-155 Rosuvastatin vs Simvastatin

Which is the most appropriate stat test to determine baseline differences in

A) Sex: Chi Squared

B) LDL: Independent t test aka 2 sample

C) % smoker vs. non-smoker: Chi Squared

Which is the most appropriate test to determine:

A) Effect of rosuvastatin on LDL: Wilcoxen Signed Rank Sum

Very confusing to the group. The key here (as explained) is that the samples are Paired. The measurements in the rosuvastatin group at baseline and compared against the same patients again at the 3 month mark.

B) The primary endpoint: 2 Sample t test

pg 158 Regression example

8c. i. Parametric, continuous values

ii. 31% of variability in Factor Xa conc. is explained by the Enox dose

iii. For 2mg ~ 0.5 U/mL; Cannot predict 3.75 because it is outside range of the experiment

Hi, I just wanted to know if anyone has the answers to the review questions from the ACCP review book for the Biostats refresher. I have the self-test questions in the back of the chapter, but there is no key for the questions throughout the chapter... I would love to know if I am on the right track....any suggestions or help?

hi, i applied for the october 2011 exam pharmacotherapy, and i don't want to study solo ... if any one interrested to do it online though skype or yahoo let me know.. to have a weekly basis discussion

i finished epilepsy, and parkinson's, now i started GI

my email is: lana_soufi@yahoo.com

Is anyone else interested in taking the BCPS exam in the Mendocino, CA area?

Please email me if you are.

Melanie.Geer@va.gov

PK section/self -assessment question 1 -what did equation did you use to solve for K and V? Thanks

Phoenix, AZ

Anyone interested in getting together to do some group study?

I think it will benefit me to mix things up, and learn from others rather than doing the studying  entirely solo;  you'll benefit from this to.  :-)

Thank you for setting up this group!  I have yet to obtain the prep course book and would like to stay on the study schedule. What topics are discussed in the Pediatrics section of the prep course?

So far one. Please respond if interested in this site.

Crystal.cox@va.gov

So far one. Please respond if interested in this site.

reneelh@gmail.com

So far four have expressed interest (emails below). If you are interested please respond. If you get one or two more and can't get the 10 contact Ryan Abel at BPS anyway (rabel@aphanet.org) - it may work out anyway.

lisainabinet@gmail.com

kellie.burke@va.gov

Natasha.harrigan@va.gov

Carriea.tashjian@va.gov

so far one person expressing interest (Linda.arts2@va.gov). Please respond if you are also interested. If you start to get five or more individuals please email Ryan Abel at rabel@aphanet.org. He's the person who would be responsible for trying to establish the new site.

This petition was already submitted. To add your name to the petition to help ensure that it happens there contact Ryan at BPS: rabel@aphanet.org. The person to contact who submitted the petition is betsyfujimoto@gmail.com.

This petition was already submitted. To add your name to the petition to help ensure that it happens there contact Ryan at BPS: rabel@aphanet.org

These are handouts for review of topics as set out for the BCPS pharmacotherapy exam. I mamaged to get these from a previous website which is not in use anymore. The handouts however remain helpful especially for those who are still waiting for their ACCP review binder.

Enjoy & good luck

These are handouts for review of topics as set out for the BCPS pharmacotherapy exam. I mamaged to get these from a previous website which is not in use anymore. The handouts however remain helpful especially for those who are still waiting for their ACCP review binder.

Enjoy & good luck

Question:

Baby Boy Smith is born prematurely on 1/5/10 in San Francisco at the age of 28 weeks.  How many TOTAL doses of palivizumab (Synagis) should he receive?

A.  8
B.  5
C.  3
D.  0

Current Answer:

B.  Infants born at 28 weeks' gestation or earlier may benefit from prophylaxis during the RSV season whenever that occurs during the first 12 months of life.  Because the RSV season in this region of the country typically runs from November-March, Baby Boy Smith can receive monthly injections in January, February, and March of 2010 as prophylaxis for the 2009-2010 RSV season  Because he will still be < 12 months old at the start of the 2010-2011 RSV season, however, he will require additional prophylaxis starting November 2010.  Finally, although he will be > 12 months old part of the way through the 2010-2011 RSV season, the AAP recommends that "once an infant qualifies for initiation of prophylaxis at the start of the RSV season, administration should continue throughout the season and not stop when the infant reaches...12 months of age."  This means Baby Boy Smith will receive all 5 doses, Nov-March 2011, and 8 doses total during his first 15 months of life.

Reference:  American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases.  Policy statement--modified recommendations for use of palivizumab for prevention of respiratory syncytial virus infections.  Pediatrics.2009;124(6):1694-1701.

Discrepancy

Based on new guideline, no more than 5 doses is recommended. (For infants with hemodynamically significant CHD, CLD, or birth before 32 weeks 0 days of gestation, the updated guidelines recommend no more than 5 doses for all geographic locations, regardless of the month in which the first dose is administered. Infants with a gestational age of 32 weeks 0 days to 34 weeks 6 days who qualify for prophylaxis but who do not have hemodynamically significant CHD or CLD should receive no more than 3 doses).

Response:

Good point. The wording of the recommendations seem a bit vague in regards to the time period the maximum amount doses can be given (per season or lifetime). However, it appears the  recommendtion of maximum of 5 doses should be interpreted as per season, as oppose to a lifetime maximum of 5 doses.  In my opinion, the statement of "regardless of the month in which the first dose is administered," is referring to the regions where RSV season is >5 months  such as in Southeast Florida where RSV season is from July-March (7 months). Refer to http://www.ppag.org/en/art/703/ for more info.  I have attached two tables (above) that may clarify this point. Please note picture 2, subnote "c"

Please share your thoughts!!!!

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This is a test - seeing how discussions show up here.