Bio Workflows Clinical Trial Pipeline

Version Compatibility

Reference examples tested with: statsmodels 0.14+, scipy 1.12+, tableone 0.9+, pyreadstat 1.2+, pandas 2.1+, numpy 1.26+, matplotlib 3.8+

Before using code patterns, verify installed versions match. If versions differ:

• Python: pip show <package> then help(module.function) to check signatures

If code throws ImportError, AttributeError, or TypeError, introspect the installed package and adapt the example to match the actual API rather than retrying.

Clinical Trial Analysis Pipeline

"Analyze my clinical trial data end to end" -> Load CDISC domain tables, prepare a subject-level analysis dataset, run primary statistical models, perform subgroup analyses, and generate regulatory-compliant tables and figures.

Complete workflow for clinical trial statistical analysis from raw data to publication-ready results.

Scientific Reasoning Framework

Before executing any analysis step, establish the causal framework. For an RCT, randomization justifies causal interpretation of the primary analysis, but subgroup analyses and observational comparisons within the trial (e.g., adherence effects) do not inherit this protection. Key decisions requiring scientific judgment at each step: (1) data preparation -- which aggregation strategy matches the estimand, (2) covariate selection -- include confounders and prognostic factors from the SAP, exclude mediators and colliders, (3) subgroup analysis -- test only biologically motivated interactions, (4) missing data -- link DS domain reasons to the assumed mechanism before choosing a method. The workflow below provides the technical steps; the scientific reasoning at each decision point determines whether the results are valid.

Workflow Overview

CDISC Domain Files (DM, AE, EX, LB)
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[1. Data Preparation] ----> Subject-level dataset with outcomes and covariates
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[2. Table 1] ------------> Baseline characteristics by treatment arm
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[3. Primary Analysis] ---> Logistic regression with OR extraction
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[4. Categorical Tests] --> Chi-square / Fisher's exact for key associations
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[5. Subgroup Analysis] --> Interaction terms, stratified ORs, forest plot
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[6. Missing Data] -------> Multiple imputation sensitivity analysis
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Results tables and figures

Step 1: Data Preparation

Goal: Create a single subject-level analysis dataset from CDISC domain tables.

Approach: Load domain files, aggregate event-level data to one row per subject, merge on USUBJID, and code the outcome variable.

import pandas as pd
import pyreadstat

dm, _ = pyreadstat.read_xport('dm.xpt')
ae, _ = pyreadstat.read_xport('ae.xpt')

# Aggregate: did each subject have the target adverse event?
target_ae = ae[ae['AEDECOD'] == 'COVID-19']
severity_map = {'MILD': 1, 'MODERATE': 2, 'SEVERE': 3, 'LIFE THREATENING': 4, 'FATAL': 5}
target_ae['AESEV_NUM'] = target_ae['AESEV'].map(severity_map)
had_event = target_ae.groupby('USUBJID')['AESEV_NUM'].max().reset_index()
had_event.columns = ['USUBJID', 'EVENT_SEVERITY']

analysis = dm[['USUBJID', 'ARM', 'ARMCD', 'AGE', 'SEX']].merge(had_event, on='USUBJID', how='left')
analysis['HAD_EVENT'] = analysis['EVENT_SEVERITY'].notna().astype(int)
analysis['TREATMENT'] = (analysis['ARMCD'] != 'PLACEBO').astype(int)

QC Checkpoint: Verify one row per USUBJID, no unexpected duplicates, treatment arms are present and reasonably balanced.

assert analysis['USUBJID'].is_unique, 'Duplicate subjects detected'
print(analysis['ARM'].value_counts())

Step 2: Table 1 Baseline Characteristics

Goal: Summarize demographics and baseline variables by treatment arm.

Approach: Use TableOne to generate a publication-ready table with p-values and standardized mean differences.

from tableone import TableOne

columns = ['AGE', 'SEX', 'RACE']
categorical = ['SEX', 'RACE']
table1 = TableOne(analysis, columns=columns, categorical=categorical,
                  groupby='ARM', pval=True, smd=True, missing=True)
print(table1.tabulate(tablefmt='github'))

Interpret SMD > 0.1 as meaningful imbalance rather than relying on p-values, which test whether randomization worked (a known mechanism, not a hypothesis).

Step 3: Primary Analysis -- Logistic Regression

Goal: Estimate the treatment effect on the binary outcome as an adjusted odds ratio.

Approach: Fit a logistic regression with explicit reference category and clinically relevant covariates, then exponentiate coefficients to obtain ORs.

import statsmodels.formula.api as smf
import numpy as np

model = smf.logit(
    'HAD_EVENT ~ C(ARM, Treatment(reference="Placebo")) + AGE + C(SEX)',
    data=analysis
).fit()

or_table = pd.DataFrame({
    'OR': np.exp(model.params),
    'Lower_CI': np.exp(model.conf_int()[0]),
    'Upper_CI': np.exp(model.conf_int()[1]),
    'p_value': model.pvalues
})
print(or_table)
print(f'McFadden pseudo-R2: {model.prsquared:.4f}')

QC Checkpoint: Verify model converged (no warnings), check for separation (coefficients > 10 or SE > 100), report pseudo-R-squared (McFadden > 0.2 is excellent; do not compare across pseudo-R2 types).

Step 4: Categorical Tests

Goal: Test the crude association between treatment and outcome using contingency tables.

Approach: Build a 2x2 table, check expected cell counts, and choose chi-square or Fisher's exact accordingly.

from scipy.stats import chi2_contingency, fisher_exact

table = pd.crosstab(analysis['ARM'], analysis['HAD_EVENT'])
chi2, p, dof, expected = chi2_contingency(table, correction=False)

if (expected < 5).any():
    _, p = fisher_exact(table.values)
    print(f'Fisher exact p = {p:.4f}')
else:
    print(f'Chi-square p = {p:.4f} (chi2 = {chi2:.2f}, dof = {dof})')

Step 5: Subgroup Analysis

Goal: Test whether the treatment effect varies across pre-specified subgroups.

Approach: Fit a model with an interaction term, extract subgroup-specific ORs, adjust for multiplicity, and visualize with a forest plot.

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

# Interaction test
interaction_model = smf.logit(
    'HAD_EVENT ~ C(ARM, Treatment(reference="Placebo")) * C(SUBGROUP)',
    data=analysis
).fit()

# Subgroup-specific ORs
labels, ors, lowers, uppers = [], [], [], []
for group in analysis['SUBGROUP'].unique():
    sub = analysis[analysis['SUBGROUP'] == group]
    sub_model = smf.logit(
        'HAD_EVENT ~ C(ARM, Treatment(reference="Placebo"))',
        data=sub
    ).fit(disp=0)
    or_val = np.exp(sub_model.params.iloc[1])
    ci = np.exp(sub_model.conf_int().iloc[1])
    labels.append(group)
    ors.append(or_val)
    lowers.append(ci[0])
    uppers.append(ci[1])

# Multiplicity correction for subgroup p-values
from statsmodels.stats.multitest import multipletests
sub_pvals = [smf.logit('HAD_EVENT ~ C(ARM, Treatment(reference="Placebo"))',
             data=analysis[analysis['SUBGROUP'] == g]).fit(disp=0).pvalues.iloc[1]
             for g in labels]
_, adjusted_pvals, _, _ = multipletests(sub_pvals, method='holm')

# Forest plot
fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(8, 5))
y_pos = range(len(labels))
ax.errorbar(ors, y_pos,
            xerr=[np.array(ors) - np.array(lowers), np.array(uppers) - np.array(ors)],
            fmt='D', color='black', capsize=3, markersize=5)
ax.axvline(x=1.0, color='gray', linestyle='--', linewidth=0.8)
ax.set_yticks(y_pos)
ax.set_yticklabels(labels)
ax.set_xlabel('Odds Ratio (95% CI)')
ax.set_xscale('log')
plt.tight_layout()
plt.savefig('forest_plot.png', dpi=150)

QC Checkpoint: Interaction p-value reported. Multiplicity correction applied if testing multiple subgroups. Forest plot shows overall estimate for context.

Step 6: Missing Data Sensitivity Analysis (per ICH E9(R1) and clinical-biostatistics/missing-data-sensitivity)

Goal: Assess robustness of the primary result under the pre-specified ICE strategy with both MAR primary and MNAR sensitivity analyses.

Approach: First examine DS (Disposition) domain for differential dropout patterns; if dropout differs by arm, MAR is suspect and reference-based MI is required as primary. Otherwise, fit MMRM under MAR with Rubin's-rules pooling for continuous endpoints, or g-computation with bootstrap for binary. Always run Permutt 2016 tipping-point sensitivity in residual SD units.

from sklearn.experimental import enable_iterative_imputer
from sklearn.impute import IterativeImputer

n_imputations = 20
covariate_cols = ['AGE']  # Only impute covariates, not treatment or outcome
mi_data = analysis.dropna(subset=['HAD_EVENT', 'TREATMENT']).copy()

results = []
for i in range(n_imputations):
    imputer = IterativeImputer(max_iter=10, random_state=i, sample_posterior=True)
    imputed_cov = pd.DataFrame(imputer.fit_transform(mi_data[covariate_cols]),
                               columns=covariate_cols, index=mi_data.index)
    imputed_cov['HAD_EVENT'] = mi_data['HAD_EVENT'].values
    imputed_cov['TREATMENT'] = mi_data['TREATMENT'].values
    model_imp = smf.logit('HAD_EVENT ~ TREATMENT + AGE', data=imputed_cov).fit(disp=0)
    results.append({'coef': model_imp.params['TREATMENT'], 'se': model_imp.bse['TREATMENT']})

pooled_coef = np.mean([r['coef'] for r in results])
within_var = np.mean([r['se']**2 for r in results])
between_var = np.var([r['coef'] for r in results], ddof=1)
total_var = within_var + (1 + 1/n_imputations) * between_var
pooled_or = np.exp(pooled_coef)
pooled_ci = (np.exp(pooled_coef - 1.96 * np.sqrt(total_var)),
             np.exp(pooled_coef + 1.96 * np.sqrt(total_var)))
print(f'Pooled OR: {pooled_or:.3f} ({pooled_ci[0]:.3f}-{pooled_ci[1]:.3f})')

QC Checkpoint: Compare pooled OR and CI with the complete-case primary analysis. Large discrepancies suggest missing data may not be MCAR. Document the comparison.

Result Reporting Checklist (CONSORT 2025 + ICH E9(R1) aligned)

• ICH E9(R1) estimand statement with 5 attributes pre-specified in SAP
• Table 1 with baseline characteristics by arm (SMD > 0.1 flagged; NOT p-values)
• Primary analysis: marginal RD via g-computation per FDA 2023 (binary) OR MMRM-MAR with Kenward-Roger (continuous longitudinal)
• Conditional OR/HR as supportive (different parameter than marginal due to non-collapsibility)
• Analysis populations defined: ITT (primary), FAS (with explicit exclusion criteria), PP (sensitivity), Safety (AE)
• Missing data per CONSORT 2025 item 21c: mechanism assumption, primary method, MNAR sensitivity (J2R/CR/CIR per Carpenter-Roger 2013)
• Permutt tipping-point delta reported in residual SD units
• Subgroup forest plot with INTERACTION p-values (not per-subgroup p-comparison); graphical multiplicity via gMCP
• Multiplicity adjustment method stated (CONSORT 2025 item 20; FDA Multiple Endpoints Final Oct 2022)
• CONSORT flow diagram numbers available
• Harms per CONSORT 2025 item 15 (absorbs CONSORT-Harms 2022)

When to Add Specialized Skills

This pipeline covers the typical binary-endpoint RCT workflow. For specific designs, add the corresponding specialized skill:

• Time-to-event primary endpoint (OS, PFS, DOR): add clinical-biostatistics/survival-analysis for Cox PH diagnostics, RMST under non-PH, competing risks via Fine-Gray vs cause-specific Cox, MaxCombo for delayed effects, informative censoring handling
• Continuous longitudinal endpoint (HbA1c at 24 weeks): clinical-biostatistics/missing-data-sensitivity for MMRM with Kenward-Roger via R mmrm; reference-based MI via R rbmi for MNAR sensitivity
• Multiple primary or key secondary endpoints: clinical-biostatistics/multiplicity-graphical for Bretz-Maurer graphical procedures via gMCP
• Trial design / sample-size justification: clinical-biostatistics/power-and-sample-size for Schoenfeld events, Lakatos under non-PH, FDA 2016 NI double discount, TOST equivalence
• Adaptive trial (group-sequential, SSR, platform): clinical-biostatistics/adaptive-designs for rpact/gsDesign, Mehta-Pocock promising zone, ICH E20 considerations
• Bayesian primary inference or RWE comparator: clinical-biostatistics/bayesian-trials for BOIN dose-finding, robust MAP priors via RBesT, EXNEX basket trials, psborrow2 for external controls

Related Skills

• clinical-biostatistics/cdisc-data-handling - CDISC SDTM/ADaM, Pinnacle 21, Dataset-JSON, ADTTE CNSR conventions
• clinical-biostatistics/logistic-regression - FDA 2023 marginal vs conditional, g-computation, Brant test, Firth, Hauck-Donner
• clinical-biostatistics/categorical-tests - Boschloo, mid-p McNemar, Wilson/Newcombe/Miettinen-Nurminen CIs
• clinical-biostatistics/effect-measures - NNT Bender 2002 convention, profile likelihood, modified Poisson for RR
• clinical-biostatistics/subgroup-analysis - Causal forests, STEPP, SIDES, EXNEX, Yadlowsky RATE, EMA 2019 subgroup guideline
• clinical-biostatistics/trial-reporting - ICH E9(R1) 5 estimand strategies, Cro/Bartlett variance debate, CONSORT 2025
• clinical-biostatistics/missing-data-sensitivity - MMRM/Kenward-Roger, reference-based MI, Permutt tipping point
• clinical-biostatistics/multiplicity-graphical - Bretz-Maurer graphs, Goeman closed-testing admissibility
• clinical-biostatistics/survival-analysis - Cox/RMST/Fine-Gray/MaxCombo/recurrent events/interval censoring
• clinical-biostatistics/power-and-sample-size - Schoenfeld/Lakatos, NI double discount, crossover, MCID
• clinical-biostatistics/adaptive-designs - Group-sequential, SSR, RAR consensus, BOIN, platform trials
• clinical-biostatistics/bayesian-trials - MAP/EXNEX/RWE, FDA Bayesian Jan 2026 draft, psborrow2