Composite_Continuous_Outcomes_Supplement_2020_12_8.pdf (226.32 kB)
Download fileCreating Composite Indices From Continuous Variables for Research: The Geometric Mean
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posted on 2021-03-02, 23:31 authored by Hertzel C. Gerstein, Chinthanie Ramasundarahettige, Shrikant I. BangdiwalaA
large body of diabetes and cardiovascular research has reported the
effect of various interventions or risk factors on a composite
categorical outcome such as the first major adverse cardiovascular event
(MACE). Defined as either a nonfatal stroke, nonfatal MI, or
cardiovascular death, this outcome better reflects the underlying
construct of vascular disease than any of its individual components, and
has been a very useful diabetes research tool. In contrast, a simple
approach for combining two or more continuous measurements into a
composite continuous outcome has not been described. Such an approach
could provide a better reflection of constructs such as glucose control
than any one measurement alone (e.g., HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose,
time-in-target). This paper suggests a simple and convenient approach to
creating composite continuous indices that can be used by clinical
researchers as either independent variables or outcomes, and provides
worked examples illustrating its utility.