A clinical trial reports that a new drug for hypertension resulted in a mean difference in systolic blood pressure of -5 mmHg (95% CI: -12 mmHg to +2 mmHg) compared to placebo. What is the correct interpretation of this finding?
A
The drug is statistically significant in reducing blood pressure.
B
The drug is not statistically significant in reducing blood pressure.
C
The drug is clinically effective despite not reaching statistical significance.
D
There is a 95% probability that the true mean reduction is exactly 5 mmHg.
✓ Correct Answer: Option B
A 95% confidence interval that includes zero (the null value) indicates that the observed difference is not statistically significant, meaning the drug's effect could plausibly be zero.
💡 Why is B) the correct answer?
The correct answer to the question "A clinical trial reports that a new drug for hypertension resulted in a mean difference in systolic blood pressure of -5 mmHg (95% CI: -12 mmHg to +2 mmHg) compared to placebo. What is the correct interpretation of this finding?" is Option B: The drug is not statistically significant in reducing blood pressure..
The other options — A) The drug is statistically significant in reducing blood pressure., C) The drug is clinically effective despite not reaching statistical significance., D) There is a 95% probability that the true mean reduction is exactly 5 mmHg. — are incorrect for this USMLE Exam Prep question. As explained above: A 95% confidence interval that includes zero (the null value) indicates that the observed difference is not statistically significant, meaning the drug's effect could plausibly be zero.
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