A drug company funds a trial comparing their new drug versus a subtherapeutic dose of the competitor's drug. The bias introduced by using an unfair comparator is called:
- A Allocation concealment bias
- B Active comparator bias
- C Dose selection bias (straw man comparator) ✓
- D Explanatory versus pragmatic trial bias
Correct answer: C. Dose selection bias (straw man comparator)
Explanation
Using a subtherapeutic dose of the comparator drug is a classic 'straw man' or dose-selection bias — intentionally setting up the comparator to fail. This is a form of performance bias and manipulates the trial to favour the sponsor's drug. Allocation concealment bias relates to sequence concealment during randomization. Active comparator design (comparing drug vs. drug rather than placebo) actually reduces confounding by indication.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.