Cumulative Incidence

What is cumulative incidence?

Cumulative incidence refers to the proportion of individuals in a defined population who develop a specific outcome or event over a defined period of time. In clinical research, it is commonly used to describe the occurrence of new cases of a disease, treatment response, or adverse event within a given population, providing insight into the risk or likelihood of an event happening.

Why is cumulative incidence important?

Cumulative incidence is a fundamental measure in clinical research, helping to quantify the risk of new events or diseases in a population over time. It is widely used in epidemiology, clinical trials, and public health research to assess the effectiveness of treatments, track disease progression, and inform healthcare policies. Understanding and calculating cumulative incidence provides valuable insights into health outcomes and disease burden, guiding both clinical and public health decision-making.