The difference in event rates between two groupsone receiving a treatment or intervention and the other receiving a control or placeboquantifies the impact of that treatment. This measure, expressed as a percentage or proportion, indicates the decrease in the risk of an adverse outcome due to the intervention. For example, if 10% of a control group experiences a particular event, while only 7% of the treatment group does, the risk difference is 3%. This value represents the actual decrease in risk attributable to the treatment.
This calculation is essential for interpreting clinical trial results and informing healthcare decisions. It provides a clear and easily understandable estimate of the treatment’s benefit, unlike relative risk measures which can exaggerate the perceived impact. Understanding the practical reduction in risk allows patients and healthcare providers to make well-informed choices about treatment options, considering the potential benefits in the context of individual circumstances. Historically, this type of assessment has played a crucial role in evidence-based medicine, promoting the adoption of treatments that demonstrably improve patient outcomes.