Futility Analysis under Scrutiny

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Jin, Rui, Wu, Cai, Mesenbrink, Peter
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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_version_ 1866915417755222016
author Jin, Rui
Wu, Cai
Mesenbrink, Peter
author_facet Jin, Rui
Wu, Cai
Mesenbrink, Peter
contents This paper investigates the robustness of futility analyses in clinical trials when interim analysis population deviates from the target population. We demonstrate how population shifts can distort early stopping decisions and propose post-stratification strategies to mitigate these effects. Simulation studies illustrate the impact of subgroup imbalances and the effectiveness of naive, model-based, and hybrid post-stratification methods. We also introduce a permutation-based screening test for identifying variables contributing to population heterogeneity. Our findings support the integration of post-stratification adjustments using all available baseline data at the interim analysis to enhance the validity and integrity of futility decisions.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2507_22770
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Futility Analysis under Scrutiny
Jin, Rui
Wu, Cai
Mesenbrink, Peter
Methodology
Applications
This paper investigates the robustness of futility analyses in clinical trials when interim analysis population deviates from the target population. We demonstrate how population shifts can distort early stopping decisions and propose post-stratification strategies to mitigate these effects. Simulation studies illustrate the impact of subgroup imbalances and the effectiveness of naive, model-based, and hybrid post-stratification methods. We also introduce a permutation-based screening test for identifying variables contributing to population heterogeneity. Our findings support the integration of post-stratification adjustments using all available baseline data at the interim analysis to enhance the validity and integrity of futility decisions.
title Futility Analysis under Scrutiny
topic Methodology
Applications
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.22770