Biostatistics & Research · single question
A study reports a relative risk (RR) of 3.1 with a 95% confidence interval of (2.34–5.12) and a p-value of 0.0001 for articaine compared to lidocaine. What can you conclude?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Articaine is 3.1 times more likely to produce successful anesthesia than lidocaine, and this is statistically significant
The relative risk of 3.1 means patients receiving articaine are 3.1 times more likely to achieve successful anesthesia than with lidocaine. The 95% CI (2.34–5.12) does NOT include 1 (if it included 1, no significant difference), confirming the result is statistically significant. The p-value of 0.0001 (far below 0.05) confirms statistical significance. Conclusion: articaine has significantly greater efficacy than lidocaine based on this study.
- A. ❌ With p=0.0001 (well below 0.05) and a CI not crossing 1, the result IS statistically significant.
- B. ❌ The p-value means there is a 0.01% probability of observing this result by chance if the null hypothesis were true — not a measure of drug efficacy.
- C. ❌ The CI (2.34–5.12) does NOT include 1 — this confirms statistical significance.
- D. ✅ CORRECT – RR=3.1 (articaine 3.1x more effective), CI does not include 1, p<0.05 → statistically significant conclusion.
Practice Biostatistics & Research questions Biostatistics & Research study notes