Refer to Exercise 12.7.
The New England Journal of Medicine reported on a trial of niacin in addition to a stat in drug for people with heart problems. The "end point" was a combination of deaths, heart attacks, strokes, and similar problems. The investigators said that a total of 3414 patients were randomly assigned to receive niacin (1718) or placebo (1696). They also said that the end point was reached in 16.4% of the patients receiving niacin and in 16.2% of the patients receiving the placebo.
a. Identify the treatment and response variables.
b. State the conclusion in the terms of cause and effect.