7.

All‐cause mortality up to 1 year (post hoc analysis). Three trials provided data. The diversity‐adjusted required information size (DARIS) was calculated based on mortality in the control group of 40%; relative risk reduction (RRR) of 20% in the glucocorticosteroid group; type I error of 1%; and type II error of 20% (80% power). Trial diversity was 0%. The required information size was 1695 participants. The cumulative Z‐curve (blue line) did not cross the trial sequential monitoring boundaries for benefit or harm (red inward sloping lines). The cumulative Z‐curve crossed the inner‐wedge futility line (red outward sloping lines). The green dotted lines show the conventional boundaries of the naive alpha of 5% equal to Z‐scores of +1.96 and –1.96.