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EBM Calculator

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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I download the app?

EBM Calculator is available now on the App Store.

Download on the App Store

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What devices are compatible?

EBM Calculator is available on iOS devices running iOS 18.1 or later. It is optimized for iPhones, but will also run on iPads and Apple Silicon Macs.

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How many results can I save?

You can save up to 50 results.

From the Results tab, you can also:

  • Reorder results by pressing and dragging
  • Delete individual results by swiping left
  • Share results by swiping right
  • Search through saved results using keywords, test names, or outcomes
  • Delete all saved results from the menu button

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Why do the calculators have different input options?

Each calculator offers different input options to match how authors report their results. Choose the one that fits your study.

For example, if the study only provides PPV and NPV (and not sensitivity or specificity), select PPV/NPV as your input method.

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What formulas are used for calculating confidence intervals?

Click here to review the formulas used for calculating all metrics and confidence intervals in the app.

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Why did you create this app?

I got tired of jumping between different online calculators just to interpret study results, so I built the EBM Calculator to streamline the process and make evidence appraisal simpler for all of us.

The app has come a long way since I first started developing it, but the goal remains the same: to provide a purposefully simple tool that helps you assess the strength of an association (for therapies or exposures), evaluate diagnostic test performance, and calculate post-test probability.

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Are you planning to add more features?

Yes! The more I learn, the more features I want to build. But I also wanted to release the app quickly to start helping clinicians.

If you have suggestions for new features or improvements, please email me at support@ebmcalculator.com.

If you're interested in testing new features before they're released, see below!

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How do I sign up for beta releases?

If you're interested in testing new features before they’re released, I'd love your help! You can sign up below to be included in future beta versions of EBM Calculator — or, if you prefer, just send an email to beta@ebmcalculator.com.

Join the Beta Program

Be the first to try out new features in EBM Calculator.

Your email will only be used for beta program updates—no spam, ever.

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How-To Guide
Effect Calculator

First, select how you would like to input the study data. You can choose either "Event Rates" or "Counts" (the number of participants in each arm of the study).

Event Rates: Effect - Screenshot 2a

or Counts: Effect - Screenshot 2b

Based on how the authors of this study[1] presented their results in the table below, you could choose either input method.

(click to enlarge) Effect - Example Study


Here, I chose to enter the event rates (EER 90.0%, CER 63.3%): Effect - Screenshot 3a

Press the "Calculate" button to see the relevant effect estimates and their confidence intervals.

The manuscript's table above provides the odds ratio (OR), but absolute risk measures offer a clearer understanding of the treatment effect’s magnitude. In this example, EBM Calculator displays the absolute risk increase (ARI) and number needed to treat (NNT) to cause one additional outcome, along with relative risk metrics and their confidence intervals.

Effect - Screenshot 4

[1]Basu B, Sander A, Roy B, Preussler S, Barua S, Mahapatra TKS, Schaefer F. Efficacy of Rituximab vs Tacrolimus in Pediatric Corticosteroid-Dependent Nephrotic Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Pediatr. 2018 Aug 1;172(8):757-764. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.1323. Erratum in: JAMA Pediatr. 2018 Dec 1;172(12):1205. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.3632. PMID: 29913001; PMCID: PMC6142920.

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Diagnostic Test Calculator

First, select how you would like to input the study data. You can choose from "Sens/Spec" (sensitivity and specificity), "PPV/NPV" (positive and negative predictive values), or "Counts" (the number of participants in each arm of the study).

Sens/Spec: Diagnostic Test - Screenshot 2a

PPV/NPV: Diagnostic Test - Screenshot 2b

or Counts: Diagnostic Test - Screenshot 2c

Based on how the authors of this study[2] presented their results in the table below, it would be easiest to use the "Sens/Spec" input method.

(click to enlarge) Diagnostic Test - Example Study


Enter the sensitivity (94.1%), specificity (79.2%), prevalence (20.6%), and total sample size (248).

Diagnostic Test - Screenshot 3

Press the "Calculate" button to see the relevant diagnostic test metrics and their confidence intervals.

The manuscript's table above provides sensitivity and specificity. Some authors also report positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV). However, because predictive values depend on disease prevalence, they may not apply to your patients if the study population's prevalence differs from your own.

For this reason, we prefer using positive and negative likelihood ratios (LRs) to better understand post-test probability. In this example, EBM Calculator displays LR(+) and LR(–) with confidence intervals, along with an option to calculate post-test probability using a different prevalence.

Diagnostic Test - Screenshot 4

Press the menu button at the top right to see more options.

Diagnostic Test - Screenshot 5a

You can see the results as an interactive Fagan Nomogram through the menu button or by pressing the nomogram button. Select either the LR(+) or LR(-) value.

Diagnostic Test - Screenshot 5c

Use the sliders to explore how a change in Pre-Test Probability influences the Post-Test Probability.

Diagnostic Test - Screenshot 6

[2]Traube C, Silver G, Kearney J, Patel A, Atkinson TM, Yoon MJ, Halpert S, Augenstein J, Sickles LE, Li C, Greenwald B. Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium: a valid, rapid, observational tool for screening delirium in the PICU*. Crit Care Med. 2014 Mar;42(3):656-63. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0b013e3182a66b76. PMID: 24145848; PMCID: PMC5527829.

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Post-Test Probability Calculator

First, select how you would like to input the study data. You can choose from either "Sensitivity & Specificity" or "Likelihood Ratios".

Sensitivity & Specificity: PostTest Prob - Screenshot 2a

or Likelihood Ratios: PostTest Prob - Screenshot 2b

Based on how the authors of this study[2] presented their results in the table below, it would be easiest to use the "Sensitivity & Specificity" input method.

(click to enlarge) PostTest Prob - Example Study


Enter the sensitivity (94.1%) and specificity (79.2%) of the diagnostic test. Next, choose your pre-test probability (often the prevalence of disease or condition in your patient population).

In this example, I chose a pre-test probability of 35%: PostTest Prob - Screenshot 3a

Press the "Calculate" button to see the post-test probabilities for a positive or negative test result.

PostTest Prob - Screenshot 4

You can also access an interactive Fagan Nomogram through the menu button at the top right...

PostTest Prob - Screenshot 5a

...or by pressing the nomogram button and selecting either the LR(+) or LR(-) value.

PostTest Prob - Screenshot 5b

Use the sliders to explore how changes in Pre-Test Probability and Likelihood Ratio influence the Post-Test Probability.

PostTest Prob - Screenshot 6

[2]Traube C, Silver G, Kearney J, Patel A, Atkinson TM, Yoon MJ, Halpert S, Augenstein J, Sickles LE, Li C, Greenwald B. Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium: a valid, rapid, observational tool for screening delirium in the PICU*. Crit Care Med. 2014 Mar;42(3):656-63. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0b013e3182a66b76. PMID: 24145848; PMCID: PMC5527829.

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Viewing Results

Click on the Results tab to view up to 50 of your saved results. You can press and drag to rearrange, or click a result to view it individually.

Results - Screenshot 2

Swipe right on a result to share, print, or export.

Results - Screenshot 3a

Swipe left to edit the original inputs or to delete the result.

Results - Screenshot 3b

Press the menu button to see more options.

Results - Screenshot 4

Use the Search function to filter results.

Results - Screenshot 5

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Contact
Please email support@ebmcalculator.com with any questions, comments, or suggestions!