Statistical analysis
CIPN, peripheral neuropathy
PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
Descriptive statistics including means with standard deviations, medians with interquartile ranges, and counts with percentages were used to summarise patient characteristics and clinical data. Data were presented for the total study sample and separately for (i) two groups according to the SCOT randomisation arm, and (ii) two groups according to the chemotherapy regimen. The statistical significance of the difference between the groups was assessed with the Means with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to visualise the longitudinal trends in peripheral neuropathy from baseline for up to 6 years stratified by the SCOT randomisation arm and the study factors including age (≤65 versus>65 years), sex (male versus female), BMI (≤25 versus >25), baseline peripheral neuropathy score (0 versus ≥1), and chemotherapy regimen (FOLFOX versus CAPOX). SCOT assessed peripheral neuropathy for up to 8 years. However, due to a high proportion of missing data we present these data for up to 6 years.Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to estimate the difference in CIPN scores over time (from 3 months to 24 months) between the groups according to age, sex, BMI, baseline peripheral neuropathy, and chemotherapy regimen. The statistical significance of the difference was estimated using 95% CIs. ANCOVA is a regression-based method appropriate for trial data. It allows multivariable analysis and adjusting for the oxaliplatin total dose received and the randomisation arm which was included as a covariate (the effect of treatment duration on CIPN was investigated elsewhere).