Statistical and health economic analysis plan for a randomized controlled trial of surgical fixation with K-wires versus plaster casting in the treatment of dorsally displaced distal radius fractures: DRAFFT2

AIMS: Describe a statistical and economic analysis plan for the Distal Radius Acute Fracture Fixation Trial 2 (DRAFFT2) randomized controlled trial. METHODS: DRAFFT2 is a multicentre, parallel, two-arm randomized controlled trial. It compares surgical fixation with K-wires versus plaster cast in adult patients who have sustained a dorsally displaced fracture of the distal radius. The primary outcome measure is the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE, a validated assessment of wrist function and pain) at 12 months post-randomization. Secondary outcomes are measured at three, six, and 12 months after randomization and include the PWRE, EuroQoL EQ-5D-5L index and EQ-VAS (visual analogue scale), complication rate, and cost-effectiveness of the treatment. RESULTS: This paper describes the full details of the planned methods of analysis and descriptive statistics. The DRAFFT2 study protocol has been published previously. CONCLUSION: The planned analysis strategy described records our intent to conduct statistical and within-trial cost-utility analyses. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-6:245–252.