SAS Day 21: Baseline Value
Background:
How do we decide if the Weight Loss program/drug is effective or the laser operation improves the vision? Usually, we compare the weights before and after a program or track the vision before and after the eye laser surgery. The Change From Baseline is a critical measurement of efficacy analysis. Therefore, it is very crucial to record the correct baseline records.
Baseline Definition:
The last non-missing record before or on the day of treatment.
Problem:
Generate the baseline information with a dummy ADEFF dataset.

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Solutions:
- Create Baseline records with SAS function Merge
1. Output Base records
2. Select the Baseline values
3. Merge with the Original datasets
4. Clean the datasets
data base pbase; set eff1; if avisitn<=1 then output base; else output pbase; run; proc sort data=base ; by usubjid paramcd avisitn; run; **Baseline values: last non-missing value before or on the first treatment.; data base1(keep=usubjid aval paramcd base avisitn rename=(avisitn=avisitn1)); set base(where=(aval ne . )); by usubjid paramcd avisitn; if last.paramcd; rename aval=base; run; **merge with original dataset; data all; merge eff1(in=a) base1(in=b); by usubjid paramcd; *if a and avisitn<avisitn1 then base=.; if a; run; data all; set all; if avisitn< avisitn1 then base=.; run;
Output Dataset:
- Create Baseline records with SAS step Retain
Note: Retain is an easier method with the Definite Avisitn number, or it can get messy.
data base2; set eff1; by usubjid paramcd avisitn; retain base; if first.paramcd then do; base=.; end; if avisitn=1 then do ; base=aval; end; run;
Output dataset:
Summary:
In the clinical industry, the dataset could be more complicated, I prefer to use the Merge method if the dataset structure is complex. If the data is clean and straightforward with a definitive avisitn for baseline, Retain is a better choice.
Note: there are might be various conditions and restrictions for the baseline, such as a test on the same date but different timepoint.
Happy studying!! 🤟