Why non-inferiority is more challenging than superiority?

Mult Scler. 2017 May;23(6):790-791. doi: 10.1177/1352458517703805. Epub 2017 Mar 28.

Abstract

Demonstrating non-inferiority in clinical trials is usually more challenging than showing superiority. In multiple sclerosis (MS), non-inferiority trials are rarely designed since they would require prohibitive sample sizes. In this brief report, the reasons why non-inferiority trials are usually larger than superiority trials is explored.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis; clinical trials; non-inferiority.

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Trials as Topic / standards*
  • Humans
  • Multiple Sclerosis / therapy*
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / standards*
  • Research Design / standards*