Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40241025›Full record

ArticleBMC medical research methodology2025

Interpretation of coefficients in segmented regression for interrupted time series analyses.

Yongzhe Wang, Narissa J Nonzee, Haonan Zhang, Kimlin T Ashing, Gaole Song, Catherine M Crespi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical research methodology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Receipt of postpartum diabetes screening after gestational diabetes mellitus in the United States, 2016-2022.Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Yongzhe WangDepartment of Surgery, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
Narissa J NonzeeDepartment of Population Sciences, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
Haonan ZhangDepartment of Information Systems and Operations Management, Foster School of Business, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
Kimlin T AshingDepartment of Population Sciences, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
Gaole SongDepartment of Population Sciences, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
Catherine M CrespiDepartment of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA. ccrespi@ucla.edu.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSegmented regression, a common model for interrupted time series (ITS) analysis, primarily utilizes two equation parametrizations. Interpretations of coefficients vary between the two segmented regression parametrizations, leading to occasional user misinterpretations.

methodsTo illustrate differences in coefficient interpretation between two common parametrizations of segmented regression in ITS analysis, we derived analytical results and present an illustration evaluating the impact of a smoking regulation policy in Italy using a publicly accessible dataset. Estimated coefficients and their standard errors were obtained using two commonly used parametrizations for segmented regression with continuous outcomes. We clarified coefficient interpretations and intervention effect calculations.

resultsOur investigation revealed that both parametrizations represent the same model. However, due to differences in parametrization, the immediate effect of the intervention is estimated differently under the two approaches. The key difference lies in the interpretation of the coefficient related to the binary indicator for intervention implementation, impacting the calculation of the immediate effect.

conclusionsTwo common parametrizations of segmented regression represent the same model but have different interpretations of a key coefficient. Researchers employing either parametrization should exercise caution when interpreting coefficients and calculating intervention effects.

Indexed as

Interrupted Time Series AnalysisModels, StatisticalData Interpretation, StatisticalHumansItalyRegression AnalysisSmokingCoefficient interpretationHealthcare policy evaluationInterrupted time series designObservational studySegmented regression

Identifiers

PMID40241025
PMCPMC12001611

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.