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This spreadsheet can be used to calculate confidence intervals for a mean, the difference betweeen two means, a proportion o
comparisons of two proportions (the absolute risk reduction, number needed to treat, relative risk, relative risk reduction and o
sensitivity, specificity and two-level likelihood ratios.
To use the calculator, click on the tabs at the bottom of this screen to choose the appropriate worksheet. Enter the required da
result will be returned under the Result heading. Note that the cells in the Results section contain formulas, even though these
initially appear blank. Be careful not to delete or overwrite the formulas in these cells.
The confidence interval for the difference between two means uses the method that assumes equal variances for the two popu
(see Armitage P and Berry G (1994): Statistical Methods in Medical Research (3rd ed.). London: Blackwell, pp 108-109).
The method used to calculate a confidence interval for a proportion is the Wilson score method without continuity correction (s
Newcombe RG (1998). Two-sided confidence intervals for the single proportion: Comparison of seven methods. Statistics in M
17, 857-872).
The confidence limits for the odds were obtained by taking the confidence limits for the proportion and converting those propor
odds.
The method used to calculate a confidence interval for the difference between two proportions is the Newcombe-Wilson metho
continuity correction (see Newcombe RG (1998). Interval estimation for the difference between independent proportions: Com
eleven methods. Statistics in Medicine, 17, 873-890). The confidence limits for the number needed to treat are the inverse of
for the absolute risk reduction. Confidence intervals for the relative risk and odds ratios are calculated using the methods desc
Armitage and Berry (Armitage P and Berry G (1994): Statistical Methods in Medical Research (3rd ed.). London: Blackwell, p 1
relative risk reduction and its confidence limits are 1 minus the relative risk and its confidence limits.
Confidence intervals for sensitivity and specificity are produced with the Wilson score method (see above for reference). Confi
intervals for positive and negative likelihood ratios are calculated with the method described by Simel and colleagues (Simel D
GP, Matchar DB (1991). Likelihood ratios with confidence: sample size estimation for diagnostic test studies. Journal of Clinica
Epidemiology, 44, 763-70). The confidence interval for the diagnostic odds ratio is calculated as described by Armitage and Be
above for reference).
The results have been checked against worked examples in the sources cited above. Nonetheless there may still be errors. If
identify errors please contact the author, Rob Herbert, email: r.herbert@neura.edu.au.
TO ESTIMATE A CONFIDENCE INTERVAL FOR A MEAN:
RESULT
The estimated population mean is:
The estimated CI is:
difference of 2 means
RESULT
The estimated difference between the two population means is:
The estimated CI is:
Page 4
difference of 2 means
Page 5
a proportion or odds
RESULT
The estimated population proportion is: 0.0745 CI:
The estimated population odds are: 0.0806 CI:
Page 6
a proportion or odds
0.0554 to 0.0996
0.0587 to 0.1106
Page 7
compare 2 proportions or odds
RESULT:
Absolute Risk Reduction: 0.0876 CI:
Number Needed to Treat: 11 CI:
Relative Risk: 0.6707 CI:
Relative Risk Reduction: 0.3293 CI:
Odds ratio: 0.5992 CI:
Page 8
compare 2 proportions or odds
0.0030 to 0.1706
332 to 6
0.4541 to 0.9905
0.0095 to 0.5459
0.3648 to 0.9843
Page 9
TO ESTIMATE CONFIDENCE INTERVALS FOR SENSITIVITY,
SPECIFICITY AND TWO-LEVEL LIKELIHOOD RATIOS:
Test is positive
Test is negative
RESULT:
Sensitivity:
Specificity:
Positive likelihood ratio:
Negative likelihood ratio:
Diagnostic odds ratio:
Reference standard Reference standard
is positive is negative