[Application of restricted mean survival time in clinical follow-up study].

In clinical follow-up studies, hazard ratio () is routinely used to quantify the differences between-groups, however, it is being estimated by the Cox procedure. , the ratio of two hazard functions has abstract meaning only and is in lack of the context to give an intuitive explanation of the survival of patients and the assumption of proportional hazards () must be satisfied. Under this context, the restricted mean survival time () can be used as a relatively effective measure or index of statistics. This paper introduces the -based statistical analysis methods, including estimation of and its difference, hypothesis testing and regression analysis. The application of in data analysis is also introduced. All the evidence demonstrates that can be used as an effective analytical tool with straightforward interpretation. is also more effective than in comparing differences between groups, when non- is observed. Therefore, is suggested to be stated along with in the process of disease efficacy evaluation and prognosis analysis. Cooperation and complement of the two, a precise reflection on the characteristics of data can be expected.