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A Model-Independent Method to Determine Restricted Mean Survival Time in the Analysis of Survival Curves

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Abstract

The restricted mean survival time (RMST) is a relatively new parameter proposed to improve the analysis of survival curves. As opposed to the median, the RMST has the advantage of capturing the overall shape of the survival curve, including the so-called “right tail.” One limitation of RMST lies in the mathematical complexity of its calculation (model-dependent analysis). In the present report, we describe a model-independent method that simplifies the calculation of RMST. The estimation approach (trapezoidal rule) is the same as that commonly employed in pharmacokinetics. In the analysis of 6 survival curves, the performance of the model-independent method was virtually the same as that of model-dependent methods.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. HTA Unit, Regional Health Service, Via San Salvi 12, 50135, Florence, Italy

    Andrea Messori

  2. School of Hospital Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

    Vera Damuzzo

  3. Scientific Direction, Italian Society for Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Milan, Italy

    Laura Agnoletto, Luca Leonardi, Marco Chiumente & Daniele Mengato

Authors
  1. Andrea Messori
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  2. Vera Damuzzo
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  3. Laura Agnoletto
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  4. Luca Leonardi
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  5. Marco Chiumente
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  6. Daniele Mengato
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Correspondence to Andrea Messori.

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Messori, A., Damuzzo, V., Agnoletto, L. et al. A Model-Independent Method to Determine Restricted Mean Survival Time in the Analysis of Survival Curves. SN Compr. Clin. Med. 2, 66–68 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42399-019-00199-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42399-019-00199-7

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