Based on the study data, what represents the absolute risk reduction of death with combination therapy vs. aspirin alone?

The absolute risk reduction (ARR) represents the difference in event rates between two treatment groups, which helps to quantify the efficacy of a new treatment compared to a standard one, in this case, combination therapy versus aspirin alone.

In this scenario, the value of 0.7 indicates that there is a 0.7% reduction in the risk of death when patients receive combination therapy compared to those who are treated with aspirin alone. Calculating the ARR involves taking the event rate (rate of death) in the control group and subtracting the event rate in the treatment group. Thus, if the study data show a statistically significant and clinically meaningful difference with combination therapy, the ARR is a useful measure of that benefit.

The provided answer highlights the overall reduction in risk, which can aid in clinical decision-making and patient counseling. Understanding this reduction can help practitioners communicate the benefits of combination therapy in terms of patient outcomes, guiding treatment plans effectively.