A study compares blood pressure reduction (mmHg) after two antihypertensive drugs in 30 matched pairs of hypertensive patients. BP reduction is approximately normally distributed. Which statistical test is MOST appropriate?
- A Independent samples t-test
- B Mann-Whitney U test
- C Paired t-test ✓
- D Chi-square test
Explanation
When the same patients (or matched pairs) are measured under two conditions (paired data) and the outcome is continuous and approximately normally distributed, the paired t-test is the appropriate parametric test. The paired design removes inter-subject variability, increasing power. The independent samples t-test is used for two independent groups. Mann-Whitney U (Wilcoxon rank-sum) is the non-parametric equivalent when normality cannot be assumed. Chi-square tests are for categorical/count data. The key distinguishing features here are: paired/matched design + normally distributed continuous outcome + two groups → paired t-test.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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