An optimal Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test of mortality and a continuous outcome.

We consider a two-group randomized clinical trial, where mortality affects the assessment of a follow-up continuous outcome. Using the worst-rank composite endpoint, we develop a weighted Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test statistic to analyze the data. We determine the optimal weights for the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test statistic that maximize its power. We derive a formula for its power and demonstrate its accuracy in simulations. Finally, we apply the method to data from an acute ischemic stroke clinical trial of normobaric oxygen therapy.

Duke Scholars

Author Roland Albert Matsouaka Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Division of Biostatistics