Review authors may wish to compute an absolute risk reduction or NNT from the results of a meta-analysis of odds ratios. In order to do this, an assumed control risk (ACR) is required. It will usually be appropriate to do this for a range of different ACRs. The computation proceeds as follows:
As an example, suppose the odds ratio is OR = 0.73, and a control risk of ACR = 0.3 is assumed. Then the effect on risk is 62 fewer per 1000:
The NNT is 17:
.