tsa-shiny-agent / agent /src /tools /statistics_tool.py
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"""
Statistics Tools for TSA Agent
Tools for explaining statistical concepts and interpreting analysis results.
"""
from typing import Any
import math
from claude_agent_sdk import tool
from .api_client import format_tool_response
@tool(
"explain_concept",
"Provide detailed explanations of statistical concepts used in meta-analysis and TSA.",
{"concept": str}
)
async def explain_concept(args: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
"""
Explain a statistical concept.
Args:
concept: The concept to explain - "heterogeneity", "i_squared", "odds_ratio",
"relative_risk", "random_effects", "fixed_effect", "forest_plot",
"funnel_plot", "meta_regression", "publication_bias", etc.
"""
concept = args.get("concept", "").lower().replace(" ", "_").replace("-", "_")
explanations = {
"heterogeneity": """
## Heterogeneity in Meta-Analysis
**Heterogeneity** refers to variability in study results beyond what we'd expect from sampling error alone.
### Sources of Heterogeneity
1. **Clinical:** Different populations, interventions, or outcomes
2. **Methodological:** Different study designs, risk of bias
3. **Statistical:** Different effect measures or analysis methods
### Why It Matters
- High heterogeneity suggests studies may not be measuring the same thing
- A single pooled estimate may not be meaningful
- May need subgroup analysis or meta-regression
### Key Metrics
- **Q statistic:** Tests if variance exceeds expected (chi-squared test)
- **I²:** Percentage of variability due to heterogeneity (not chance)
- **τ² (tau-squared):** Estimated variance between studies
- **τ (tau):** Standard deviation between studies
### What to Do About It
1. Investigate sources (subgroup analysis)
2. Use random-effects model
3. Report with appropriate uncertainty
4. Consider if pooling is appropriate
""",
"i_squared": """
## I-squared (I²) Statistic
I² describes the **percentage of variability in effect estimates that is due to heterogeneity** rather than sampling error.
### Formula
```
I² = max(0, (Q - df) / Q × 100%)
```
Where Q is the heterogeneity chi-squared and df = number of studies - 1.
### Interpretation Thresholds
| I² Value | Heterogeneity Level | Implication |
|----------|---------------------|-------------|
| 0-25% | Low | Studies fairly consistent |
| 25-50% | Low to Moderate | Some variation |
| 50-75% | Moderate to High | Substantial variation |
| >75% | High | Consider if pooling appropriate |
### Important Caveats
- I² is a **relative** measure, not absolute
- Can be high even with clinically unimportant variation
- Imprecise with few studies
- 0% doesn't guarantee homogeneity
### Clinical Judgment
Don't rely on I² alone – consider:
- Clinical similarity of studies
- Direction of effects (all favor same direction?)
- Prediction interval (range of true effects)
""",
"odds_ratio": """
## Odds Ratio (OR)
The odds ratio compares the **odds** of an event between two groups.
### Formula
```
OR = (a/c) / (b/d) = (a × d) / (b × c)
```
Where in a 2×2 table:
- a = events in treatment, b = events in control
- c = non-events in treatment, d = non-events in control
### Interpretation
| OR Value | Meaning |
|----------|---------|
| OR = 1 | No difference between groups |
| OR < 1 | Event less likely in treatment group (protective) |
| OR > 1 | Event more likely in treatment group (harmful) |
### Example
OR = 0.5 means the **odds** of the event in treatment are half those in control.
### When to Use
✅ Case-control studies (RR not calculable)
✅ Rare events (approximates RR)
✅ Logistic regression outputs
### Limitations
⚠️ Not intuitive (odds ≠ probability)
⚠️ Overstates relative risk for common events
⚠️ Cannot directly calculate NNT
""",
"relative_risk": """
## Relative Risk (RR) / Risk Ratio
Relative risk compares the **probability** (risk) of an event between groups.
### Formula
```
RR = Risk in treatment / Risk in control
= (a / (a+c)) / (b / (b+d))
```
### Interpretation
| RR Value | Meaning |
|----------|---------|
| RR = 1 | No difference (null effect) |
| RR < 1 | Lower risk in treatment (beneficial if event is bad) |
| RR > 1 | Higher risk in treatment |
### Example
RR = 0.7 means **70% of the control group risk** in treatment group.
Or: **30% relative risk reduction** (RRR = 1 - RR = 0.30).
### Advantages Over OR
✅ More intuitive interpretation
✅ Directly measures risk
✅ Can calculate NNT: NNT = 1 / (Control Risk × (1 - RR))
### Limitations
⚠️ Cannot use in case-control studies
⚠️ Depends on baseline risk
⚠️ Relative measure – doesn't show absolute impact
""",
"random_effects": """
## Random Effects Model
The random effects model assumes the **true effect varies across studies**.
### Concept
- Each study estimates a different true effect
- These true effects come from a distribution
- We estimate the mean of this distribution
### When to Use
✅ Studies differ in populations, interventions, settings
✅ Heterogeneity expected or observed (I² > 25%)
✅ You want results generalizable beyond included studies
### Common Methods
1. **DerSimonian-Laird (DL):** Most common, uses method of moments
2. **REML:** Restricted maximum likelihood, less biased
3. **Sidik-Jonkman:** Better with few studies
4. **Bayesian:** Incorporates prior information
### Effect on Results
- Wider confidence intervals than fixed effect
- Gives more weight to smaller studies
- Often more conservative (less likely to be "significant")
### Important Note
Random effects doesn't "fix" heterogeneity – it incorporates it into uncertainty.
""",
"fixed_effect": """
## Fixed Effect Model
The fixed effect model assumes there is **one true effect** that all studies estimate.
### Concept
- All studies estimate the same underlying truth
- Differences between studies are only due to sampling error
- We estimate this single common effect
### When to Use
✅ Studies are essentially identical (same protocol)
✅ Heterogeneity is low (I² < 25%)
✅ You only want inference about included studies
### Weighting
Studies weighted by **inverse variance** only:
```
Weight = 1 / SE²
```
Larger, more precise studies get more weight.
### Limitations
⚠️ Assumes no heterogeneity (rarely true)
⚠️ Confidence intervals too narrow if heterogeneity exists
⚠️ Results only apply to these specific studies
### Comparison to Random Effects
| Aspect | Fixed | Random |
|--------|-------|--------|
| True effect | One | Distribution |
| CI width | Narrower | Wider |
| Small study weight | Less | More |
| Generalizability | Limited | Broader |
""",
"forest_plot": """
## Forest Plot
A forest plot is the **standard visual summary** of a meta-analysis.
### Components
1. **Study labels:** Usually author and year (left side)
2. **Point estimates:** Squares showing each study's effect
3. **Confidence intervals:** Horizontal lines through squares
4. **Square size:** Proportional to study weight
5. **Diamond:** Pooled effect estimate (bottom)
6. **Vertical line:** Line of no effect (OR=1, RR=1, or MD=0)
### Reading the Plot
- **Square left of line:** Favors treatment
- **Square right of line:** Favors control (or harm)
- **CI crossing line:** Not statistically significant
- **Diamond crossing line:** Pooled effect not significant
### What to Look For
1. **Direction:** Do most studies favor same direction?
2. **Precision:** Are CIs narrow (precise) or wide (imprecise)?
3. **Consistency:** Do effects cluster or scatter?
4. **Outliers:** Any studies very different from others?
5. **Diamond vs squares:** Does pooling change the message?
""",
"funnel_plot": """
## Funnel Plot
A funnel plot helps assess **publication bias** and small-study effects.
### Construction
- **X-axis:** Effect estimate (OR, RR, MD)
- **Y-axis:** Precision (often 1/SE or sample size)
- **Each point:** One study
- **Center line:** Pooled effect estimate
### Interpretation
**Symmetrical funnel = No evidence of publication bias**
- Small studies scatter evenly around pooled effect
- Larger studies cluster near the top, close to pooled effect
**Asymmetrical funnel = Potential bias**
- **Missing lower-left:** Unpublished negative small studies
- **Missing lower-right:** Unpublished positive small studies
### Caveats
⚠️ Need ~10 studies for reliable assessment
⚠️ Asymmetry can have other causes:
- True heterogeneity
- Different study populations
- Methodological differences
- Chance
### Statistical Tests
- **Egger's test:** Regression of effect on precision
- **Begg's test:** Rank correlation method
- **Trim and fill:** Imputes missing studies
""",
"publication_bias": """
## Publication Bias
Publication bias occurs when **studies with certain results are more likely to be published**.
### The Problem
- Studies with "positive" (significant) results more likely published
- Studies with "negative" (null) results often unpublished
- Meta-analysis of published studies overestimates true effect
### Evidence of Publication Bias
1. **Funnel plot asymmetry:** Missing small negative studies
2. **Statistical tests:** Egger's, Begg's tests
3. **Excess of significant findings:** More p < 0.05 than expected
4. **Time-lag bias:** Positive results published faster
### Impact on TSA
- Inflates pooled effect estimate
- May lead to premature boundary crossing
- OIS calculation based on inflated effect
### Mitigation Strategies
1. **Search comprehensively:** Grey literature, trial registries
2. **Contact authors:** Request unpublished data
3. **Sensitivity analysis:** What if missing studies exist?
4. **Report transparently:** Acknowledge limitation
"""
}
if concept in explanations:
return format_tool_response(explanations[concept])
else:
available = ", ".join(sorted(explanations.keys()))
return format_tool_response(
f"Concept '{concept}' not found.\n\n"
f"**Available concepts:**\n{available}\n\n"
f"Try one of these, or ask me to explain in your own words!"
)
@tool(
"interpret_heterogeneity",
"Interpret heterogeneity statistics (I², Q, tau) from the current analysis.",
{"i_squared": float, "q_statistic": float, "q_pvalue": float, "tau": float}
)
async def interpret_heterogeneity(args: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
"""
Interpret heterogeneity statistics.
Args:
i_squared: I² percentage (0-100)
q_statistic: Cochran's Q value
q_pvalue: P-value for Q test
tau: Tau (between-study SD)
"""
i2 = args.get("i_squared", 0)
q = args.get("q_statistic", 0)
q_p = args.get("q_pvalue", 1)
tau = args.get("tau", 0)
# Determine heterogeneity level
if i2 < 25:
level = "**Low**"
level_desc = "Studies are fairly consistent. Fixed effect model may be appropriate."
color = "🟢"
elif i2 < 50:
level = "**Low to Moderate**"
level_desc = "Some variation exists. Random effects recommended."
color = "🟡"
elif i2 < 75:
level = "**Moderate to High**"
level_desc = "Substantial variation. Investigate sources with subgroup analysis."
color = "🟠"
else:
level = "**High**"
level_desc = "Consider if pooling is meaningful. Meta-regression may help."
color = "🔴"
# Q-test interpretation
if q_p < 0.10:
q_interp = "Q-test is **significant** (p < 0.10), confirming heterogeneity."
else:
q_interp = "Q-test is **not significant**, but has low power with few studies."
summary = f"""
## Heterogeneity Interpretation
### Summary
{color} **Heterogeneity Level:** {level}
{level_desc}
### Statistics Breakdown
| Metric | Value | Interpretation |
|--------|-------|----------------|
| **I²** | {i2:.1f}% | {i2:.1f}% of variance due to heterogeneity |
| **Q** | {q:.2f} | Chi-squared test for heterogeneity |
| **Q p-value** | {q_p:.4f} | {q_interp} |
| **τ (tau)** | {tau:.4f} | Between-study standard deviation |
### Recommendations
1. **Model Choice:**
{"Fixed effect may be considered" if i2 < 25 else "Use random effects model"}
2. **Next Steps:**
{"Proceed with analysis" if i2 < 50 else "Investigate heterogeneity sources before interpreting pooled effect"}
3. **Reporting:**
Always report I² and consider prediction interval for clinical interpretation.
### Prediction Interval
If I² > 0, the 95% prediction interval shows the range where 95% of true effects likely lie.
This is often more clinically meaningful than the confidence interval.
"""
return format_tool_response(summary)
@tool(
"interpret_effect",
"Interpret a pooled effect estimate with its confidence interval.",
{"effect": float, "ci_lower": float, "ci_upper": float, "measure": str, "z_score": float}
)
async def interpret_effect(args: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
"""
Interpret a pooled effect estimate.
Args:
effect: Point estimate (OR, RR, RD, or MD)
ci_lower: Lower confidence interval bound
ci_upper: Upper confidence interval bound
measure: "OR" (Odds Ratio), "RR" (Relative Risk), "RD" (Risk Difference), "MD" (Mean Difference)
z_score: Z-score for the effect
"""
effect = args.get("effect", 1.0)
ci_lower = args.get("ci_lower", 1.0)
ci_upper = args.get("ci_upper", 1.0)
measure = args.get("measure", "OR").upper()
z = args.get("z_score", 0)
# Determine null value and direction interpretation
if measure in ("OR", "RR"):
null = 1.0
if effect < 1:
direction = "favors treatment (reduces event rate)"
magnitude = f"{(1 - effect) * 100:.1f}% relative reduction"
elif effect > 1:
direction = "favors control (increases event rate)"
magnitude = f"{(effect - 1) * 100:.1f}% relative increase"
else:
direction = "no difference"
magnitude = "0% change"
else: # RD or MD
null = 0.0
if effect < 0:
direction = "favors treatment"
magnitude = f"reduction of {abs(effect):.2f}"
elif effect > 0:
direction = "favors control"
magnitude = f"increase of {effect:.2f}"
else:
direction = "no difference"
magnitude = "no change"
# Statistical significance
ci_crosses_null = (ci_lower <= null <= ci_upper)
if ci_crosses_null:
sig_text = "**Not statistically significant** (95% CI crosses null)"
sig_emoji = "⚠️"
else:
sig_text = "**Statistically significant** (95% CI excludes null)"
sig_emoji = "✅" if ((measure in ("OR", "RR") and effect < 1) or (measure in ("RD", "MD") and effect < 0)) else "⚠️"
# Calculate p-value approximation
p_value = 2 * (1 - 0.5 * (1 + math.erf(abs(z) / math.sqrt(2)))) if z != 0 else 1.0
summary = f"""
## Effect Estimate Interpretation
### Pooled Effect
| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| **{measure}** | {effect:.3f} |
| **95% CI** | [{ci_lower:.3f}, {ci_upper:.3f}] |
| **Z-score** | {z:.3f} |
| **P-value** | {p_value:.4f} |
### Direction
The effect **{direction}**.
**Magnitude:** {magnitude}
### Statistical Significance
{sig_emoji} {sig_text}
### Clinical Interpretation Guidelines
{"**For Odds Ratio (OR):**" if measure == "OR" else ""}
{"- OR = " + f"{effect:.2f}" + " means odds in treatment are " + f"{effect:.0%}" + " of control odds" if measure == "OR" else ""}
{"- For rare events, OR ≈ RR" if measure == "OR" else ""}
{"**For Relative Risk (RR):**" if measure == "RR" else ""}
{"- RR = " + f"{effect:.2f}" + " means " + f"{effect:.0%}" + " of control group risk" if measure == "RR" else ""}
{"- Absolute risk reduction depends on baseline risk" if measure == "RR" else ""}
### Caveats
1. Statistical significance ≠ clinical importance
2. Consider effect size, not just p-value
3. Check heterogeneity before trusting pooled estimate
4. In TSA: check if boundaries crossed before concluding
"""
return format_tool_response(summary)
@tool(
"calculate_sample_size",
"Calculate required sample size for detecting an effect in meta-analysis (OIS calculation).",
{"p_ctrl": float, "p_int": float, "alpha": float, "power": float, "i_squared": float}
)
async def calculate_sample_size(args: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, Any]:
"""
Calculate Optimal Information Size (required sample size).
Args:
p_ctrl: Expected control group event rate (0-1)
p_int: Expected intervention group event rate (0-1)
alpha: Type I error rate (typically 0.05)
power: Desired power (typically 0.80)
i_squared: Expected or observed I² (0-100) for heterogeneity adjustment
"""
p_ctrl = args.get("p_ctrl", 0.15)
p_int = args.get("p_int", 0.10)
alpha = args.get("alpha", 0.05)
power = args.get("power", 0.80)
i2 = args.get("i_squared", 0)
# Validate
if not 0 < p_ctrl < 1 or not 0 < p_int < 1:
return format_tool_response(
"Error: Event rates must be between 0 and 1.",
is_error=True
)
if p_ctrl == p_int:
return format_tool_response(
"Error: Control and intervention rates must differ.",
is_error=True
)
# Calculate z-values
z_alpha = abs(2.326 if alpha == 0.01 else 1.96 if alpha == 0.05 else 1.645) # Two-sided
z_beta = abs(0.842 if power == 0.80 else 1.282 if power == 0.90 else 1.645)
# OIS formula for dichotomous outcomes
p_star = (p_int + p_ctrl) / 2
ois_unadjusted = 4 * (z_alpha + z_beta)**2 * (p_star * (1 - p_star)) / (p_ctrl - p_int)**2
# Heterogeneity adjustment
if i2 > 0 and i2 < 100:
het_factor = 1 / (1 - i2/100)
ois_adjusted = ois_unadjusted * het_factor
else:
het_factor = 1.0
ois_adjusted = ois_unadjusted
# Calculate relative risk reduction
rrr = (p_ctrl - p_int) / p_ctrl * 100
summary = f"""
## Sample Size Calculation (OIS)
### Input Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| Control event rate | {p_ctrl:.1%} |
| Intervention event rate | {p_int:.1%} |
| Relative Risk Reduction | {rrr:.1f}% |
| Alpha (Type I error) | {alpha} |
| Power (1 - Beta) | {power:.0%} |
| Heterogeneity (I²) | {i2:.0f}% |
### Results
**Unadjusted OIS:** {int(ois_unadjusted):,} patients
**Heterogeneity Factor:** {het_factor:.2f}
**Adjusted OIS:** {int(ois_adjusted):,} patients ⭐
### Interpretation
To reliably detect a {rrr:.0f}% relative risk reduction (from {p_ctrl:.1%} to {p_int:.1%}) with {power:.0%} power at α = {alpha}:
📊 You need approximately **{int(ois_adjusted):,} patients** in your meta-analysis.
### Notes
1. This is the **total** across treatment and control groups
2. OIS increases with higher heterogeneity (I²)
3. OIS increases when detecting smaller effects
4. This does NOT account for TSA repeated analyses – actual boundaries may require even more
"""
return format_tool_response(summary)