MRCGP AKT Category: Evidence Based Practice, Research And Sharing Knowledge

AKT-1945

You are evaluating a study on the use of masks in public places to reduce viral upper respiratory tract infections among elderly individuals. The study found that the treatment group, who wore a mask, had fewer cases compared to the control group who did not wear a mask. The absolute risk in the control group was 0.5 whereas the absolute risk in the treatment group was 0.3.

What is the number needed to treat for elderly individuals in this study?

AKT-1930

Which of the following techniques is used in qualitative research to assess validity?

AKT-1946

A research study examines the advantages of incorporating a new antiplatelet medication with aspirin after a heart attack in patients over the age of 60. The study yields the following outcomes:

Percentage of patients experiencing
another heart attack within 3 months
Aspirin 5%
Aspirin + new drug 3%

What is the number needed to treat to prevent one patient over the age of 60 from having another heart attack within 3 months?

AKT-1931

A psychologist wants to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in reducing symptoms of anxiety in a group of 50 patients. She administers an anxiety questionnaire to the patients before starting the therapy and records their scores. After six months of CBT, she repeats the questionnaire to see if there is any change in anxiety levels. The differences in anxiety scores before and after therapy are not normally distributed.

What statistical analysis should she use to analyze her findings?

AKT-1947

You are reviewing a study that is comparing a new flu vaccine against a regular vaccine currently prescribed. The study aims to determine if the new vaccine reduces the number of people getting the flu over a year. The results show 100 people got the flu out of 500 people on the regular vaccine and 50 people got the flu out of 500 people on the new vaccine.

What is the relative risk reduction in this study?

AKT-1932

A 60-year-old patient schedules a visit to discuss their yearly flu shot. They have come across a research study that compared the vaccine to a placebo. The study found that among those who received the vaccine, 10% tested positive for the flu, while 30% in the placebo group did. The authors of the study conducted a statistical analysis to evaluate the relationship between the vaccine and getting the flu.

Which statistical test would be appropriate for analyzing these findings?

AKT-1933

A small-randomised control trial is conducted to examine the impact of a new medication on the frequency of headaches in individuals aged 50 and above. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either the new medication or a placebo. The frequency of their headaches is evaluated after a two-week period using the following scale: “Never”, “Rarely”, “Sometimes”, “Often”, “Always”.

Which statistical test is most appropriate for analyzing the findings of this study?

AKT-1934

A study examines the relationship between age and risk of heart disease. Blood pressure readings for 3000 individuals aged 40-50 years were compared with blood pressure readings for 3000 individuals aged 60-70 years. The data is not normally distributed. The researchers want to determine if there is a significant difference in blood pressure readings between the two age groups.

Which statistical test is appropriate for analyzing this data?

AKT-1935

The cardiology department is attempting to establish the most effective medication for treating hypertension in patients over the age of 60. They conduct a study to compare the rate of blood pressure reduction in a group of patients (Group A) given medication A versus a group (Group B) given medication B. The systolic blood pressure readings of patients in both groups are recorded.

What is the most appropriate statistical test to determine if there is a significant difference in the effectiveness of the two medications?