I want to calculate the sample size for a research project designed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of new public health interventions compared to routine healthcare. However, I faced difficulties in obtaining relevant parameters required for sample size calculations, like mean cost and effect difference, standard deviations in cost and effect, etc. (due to a lack of prior research in the area).
Is there an alternative approach to calculating sample size for trial-based cost-effectiveness analysis when pertinent data from previous studies are unavailable? Although a pilot study is a practical option, I'm interested in exploring other recommendations, possibly rules of thumb, to guide initial sample size estimation for trial-based CEA (N.B: outcome/effect will not be measured in QUALY but in natural units; like body weight reduced, etc.).
kindest regards
Dear Wodaje you can refer the following link for your references https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/2019-04/crest-factsheet-sample-size-in-economic-evaluation.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjbkuTM_fOGAxUy_rsIHTfgA60QFnoECCYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0PDOlVJjWnn3nGLxPkg-l5
Dear Abdene Weya Kaso, thank you very much for your recommendation. I read this reference and other related articles, but what I missed is the parameters for calculating the sample size for trial-based economic evaluation without previous evidence. For instance, to calculate sample size using a single population proportion formula, mostly 50% of the proportion can be used as the rule of thumb (in the absence of previous studies showing expected prevalence/proportion of outcome of interest). Likewise, I am looking for such a recommendation to calculate the sample size for my trial-based economic evaluation study using the formula suggested so far (but have no previous local context published sources on standard deviations of costs and effects, etc.). Kind regards!
I hope you can search for similar studies with the following parameters and use this as references
Abdene Weya Kaso Thank you very much for your guiding recommendation. Even if mine is somewhat different, let me go back to searching for pieces of literature related to my topic of interest. thank you again.
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