Reports | Cluster Subjects across Study Sites

Cluster Subjects across Study Sites
The Cluster Subjects Across Study Sites report is used to identify similar subjects. It t does so by constructing a cross domain data set using as much data as possible (subject to user options). Next, it calculates Euclidean distances to compute a distance matrix and performs hierarchical clustering of subjects, across all of the study centers. Findings values are averaged by USUBJID , test code, visit number, and time point (if available) if there are multiple measurements for a visit or time point. The goal of this exercise is to identify pairs of subjects with a very small distance. This could be an indication that these subjects are in fact the same individual who has enrolled at multiple sites.
Report Results Description
Running this report using the Nicardipine sample setting and default options generates the output shown below. This report uses pre-dosing information with the goal of identifying subjects that have enrolled at two or more clinical sites.
The Cluster Subjects Across Study Sites report shows the results of clustering of the subjects on the basis of different combinations of covariates (demographic groups in this example). The results for each grouping are presented on a separate “section”. report initially shows two sections Between-Subject Distance Summary and Subgroup Clustering . Use the available options in each section to drill-down into the data.
Results Sections
This pane enables you to access and view the output plots and associated data sets on each section. Use the drop-down menu to view the section in the Results pane or remove the section and its contents from the Results pane.
Between-Subject Distance Summary
Box plots are presented for all pairwise distances between subjects in the selected population . Pairs are limited based on selections from the Cluster subjects matching these criteria panel of the dialog .
In this example, box plots are presented by gender and race. The more similar a pair of subjects, the smaller the distance value (a zero indicates a perfect match).
One Box Plot of Minimum Between-Subject Distances for Each Site . The minimum distance from each covariate subgroup is presented in the box plot to the right.
The subgroup with the most similar pair of subjects is presented in the Subgroup Clustering section.
A Local Data Filter to subset histograms to data of interest is available.
In this example, data are filtered for a particular set of study monitors. Age (and height and weight, if available) are presented to limit pairs to those that are more likely to indicate a match between two subjects. Selecting Within subsets to pairs from subjects within the same site. Selecting Between subsets to subjects from different sites.
Refer to the Data Filter documentation for more information
Subgroup Clustering
One or more Subgroup Clustering sections: Only one section is opened initially. The name of this section is dependent on the covariate values used (as specified in the Cluster subjects matching these criteria panel) and the subgroup that is identified with the minimum pairwise distance. Other subgroup results can be opened from the Results Sections menu.
The Sex = F, Race = BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN subgroup clustering section is shown below:
This section contains the following elements:
A Box Plot showing all pairwise distances between white females across all sites. Smaller distances indicate individuals that are more similar based on pre-dose information selected for use from the dialog . Using the data filter to subset to pairs with a small age, height and weight difference, we can highlight them in the hierarchical clustering profile or examine in the data table to assess similarity.
A Dendrogram showing the Hierarchical Clustering performed to identify subsets of subjects that might be very similar, for example, a subject that has attended at least 3 sites. Points indicating highly similar pairs of subjects can be selected from the box plot , and these rows can be highlighted in the clustering heat map.
Action Buttons
Action buttons, provide you with an easy way to drill down into your data. The following action buttons are generated by this report:
Profile Subjects : Select subjects and click to generate the patient profiles. See Profile Subjects for additional information.
Show Subjects : Select subjects and click to open the ADSL (or DM if ADSL is unavailable) of selected subjects.
Show Rows in Heat Map : Select points that represent pairs of subjects in the Box Plot s and click to highlight the subjects within the Heat Map and Dendrogram to see how they cluster together.
Subset Clustering : On a subgroup clustering page, subsets clustering to subjects, based on pairs selected from corresponding box plot.
Revert Clustering : Click to return a subset clustering to the original state where all subjects are clustered.
General
Output includes one summary data set (named csass_sum_XXX 1 , by default) containing one record per subject with pre-dosing data, one data set of all pairwise distances within the covariate subgroups (named csass_alldist_XXX , by default), one data set containing minimum pairwise distances for each covariate subgroup (named csass_mindist_XXX ), by default), one data set per covariate subgroup containing pairwise distances (named csass_p_Y_XXX , by default, where Y is indexed 1 to the number of covariate subgroups) and one data set per covariate subgroup containing the distance matrix of subjects within the covariate subgroup (named csass_Y_XXX , by default, where Y is indexed 1 to the number of covariate subgroups).
Click to generate a standardized pdf - or rtf -formatted report containing the plots and charts of selected sections.
Click the Options arrow to reopen the completed report dialog used to generate this output.
Click the gray border to the left of the Options tab to open a dynamic report navigator that lists all of the reports in the review. Refer to Report Navigator for more information.
Methodology
No testing is performed. Subjects are clustered within each site according to the selected clustering methodology. Refer to the JMP documentation on hierarchical clustering for statistical details.
Report Options
Selecting the Data to Be Analyzed
The first step in generating this report is to select the data to be analyzed. Specify whether to include age and sex data, and or data from Findings domains, Intervention domains, and/or Event domains. Choose whether to analyze all tests from all findings domains or specified Findings Tests only. Select cutoff values for including events or interventions, for summarizing subgroups, and the percentage of missing data allowed.
Clustering
Next, decide which criteria to cluster by and the hierarchical clustering method to be used.
Filtering Your Data
Finally, you can restrict the analysis by subsetting the subjects using a variety of filters so that only those subjects meeting the specified conditions are included in the clustering. You can choose to include distinct populations of subjects. You can further restrict the analysis to those subjects that meet either a predefined or de novo unique set of specified conditions.
Report Option Descriptions
Specific documentation for each of the options can be viewed by clicking on the following links:
General Options
Age and Sex , Findings domains , Intervention domains , and/or Event domains
Analyze all tests from all findings domains , Findings Tests
Include events or interventions experienced by at least this percent of patients:
Summarize subgroups with at least this many subjects
Remove all variables with missing values , Remove variables from analysis with a missing data percentage of at least:
Sex , Race , and/or Country
Hierarchical Clustering Method
Subject Filter 2
Additional Filters
Additional Filter to Include Subjects 3 , Select the population to include in the analysis

1
The _XXX designation is used to designate a one- to three-digit number that is added sequentially to prevent overwriting of existing data sets.

2
Subject-specific filters must be created using the Create Subject Filter report prior to your analysis.

3
For more information about how to specify a filter using this option, see The SAS WHERE Expression .