What does ABI (Absolute Benefit Increase) represent?

ABI (Absolute Benefit Increase) represents the difference in event rates between two groups, typically the experimental group receiving an intervention and the control group not receiving it. This measure provides a straightforward numerical value that indicates how much the risk of a specific event (such as improvement in symptoms or a specific health outcome) increases due to the intervention compared to no intervention.

By calculating the difference in event rates, ABI allows healthcare providers and researchers to understand the effectiveness of a treatment in a clear and tangible manner. For example, if 30% of participants in the experimental group experience the desired outcome, while only 20% in the control group do, the ABI would be 10%. This means there is a 10% absolute increase in benefit attributable to the treatment, providing critical information for decision-making in clinical practice.

The other choices do not accurately define what ABI represents:

• The percentage of symptoms resolved pertains more to relative measures of effectiveness rather than the absolute difference in rates.

• The total number of participants treated relates to sample size but does not address the impact of the treatment.

• Average improvement in patient satisfaction is qualitative and subjective, differing from the quantitative nature of ABI, which relies on event rates.