Table 2

Training model based on the first 32 quarters of enrollment



All ACTG studies
Excluding substudies

Parameters

Effect (95% CI)
Effect (95% CI)

AR1

0.04 (-0.37, 0.46)
-0.09 (-0.51, 0.33)
Time trend effect

29.7 (18.9, 40.5) ‡
12.8 (3.9, 21.7) §
(per quarter)



Large studies effect *(per point weight)
699.7 (535.5, 864.0) ‡
420.3 (284.2, 556.4) ‡
Early starting effect †

-83.3 (-427.3, 260.7)
-436.7 (-731.1,-142.2) §
Studies starting in same quarter (per study)
20.6 (-1.4, 42.5)
-1.0 (-23.5, 21.4)
Seasonal effect




Spring
152.7 (-78.8, 406.2)
189.3 (-32.4, 410.9)

Summer
185.3 (-43.2, 413.7)
115.3 (-90.6, 321.2)

Fall
-144.5 (-365.2, 76.2)
-96.7 (-308.8, 115.4)
Constant

137.5 (-152.2, 427.2)
576.5 (309.3, 843.7) ‡

ACTG: AIDS Clinical Trials Group, AR1: First-order autoregressive parameter * Sum of weights for large studies in each quarter: ½ for a large study which is initiated in that quarter, 1 for a large study which is on its second quarter of enrollment, and ½ for a large study which is on its third quarter of enrollment. † Dummy variable for first 3 quarters (Fall 1986-Spring 1987) ‡ p < 0.001 §0.001 ≤ p < 0.05

Haidich and Ioannidis BMC Medical Research Methodology 2001 1:4   doi:10.1186/1471-2288-1-4