A
matched pairs analysis
compares the average score during baseline and a summary score during the trial for each finding.
An analysis of sodium levels in a group of patients treated with either nicardipine (red,
left
) or a placebo (blue,
right
) is shown below. Each point represents an individual patient.
A measure of the average of the baseline and trial values is plotted along the
x
-axis. The vertical line represents the
population
mean
. Points lying to the right have values higher than the population average, points to the left are lower.
A measure of the difference between these values is plotted on the
y-axis. The horizontal line indicates the position where no measured difference exists between baseline and post-treatment values. Points lying above the line show increased levels in response to treatment, points lying below show decreased levels.