Tobacco.org

Modeling missing binary outcome data in a successful web-based smokeless tobacco cessation program  

Aim

To examine various methods to impute missing binary outcome from a web-based tobacco cessation intervention.

Design

The ChewFree randomized controlled trial used a two-arm design to compare tobacco abstinence at both the 3- and 6-month follow-up for participants randomized to either an enhanced web-based intervention condition or a basic information-only control condition. . . .

Conclusions

The choice of imputation model used to analyze missing binary outcome data can affect substantially the size and statistical significance of the treatment effect. Without additional information about the missing cases, they can overestimate the effect of treatment. Multiple imputation methods are recommended, especially those that permit a sensitivity analysis of their impact.

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