Each treatment strategy has potential risks and benefits. The treatment threshold uses a treatment's benefit and risk when used for a given condition to help decide if and when to treat.
benefit for treatment =
= (risk of adverse outcome from the disease in those untreated) - (risk of adverse outcome from the disease with treatment)
risk of treatment =
= (risk of significant adverse complication due to treatment)
benefit-to-risk ratio =
= (benefit for treatment) / (risk for treatment)
treatment threshold =
= 1 / ((benefit-to-risk ratio) +1 ) =
= (risk) / ((benefit) + (risk))
Interpretation:
• Treatment should be given when the risk of having the condition exceeds the treatment threshold.
• Treatment should be withheld if the risk of having the condition is less than the treatment threshold.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
