Data collection is done. Which MedCalc functions should I use to build Table 1?

After data collection, first decide on the analysis and the story you want to tell. The story determines what Table 1 looks like. Every study's Table 1 is different, so this table is almost always built by hand.

MedCalc can calculate descriptive statistics such as mean ± SD with its Summary Statistics function (link as of 2022). Table 1 places these numbers for each group side by side.

• Summary statistics: https://www.medcalc.org/manual/summary-statistics.php

Do not add significance tests comparing the groups at baseline. For a randomized trial, CONSORT 2025 (item 25) says that significance testing of baseline differences is not recommended and should not be reported: as long as randomization was not subverted, any baseline difference arose by chance. What matters instead is how large any imbalance is in variables that strongly predict the outcome. For an observational study, STROBE (item 14a) also says that significance tests should be avoided in descriptive tables.

The statistics in Table 1 are just these, and they are simple. The harder part is designing the table: what story your data are going to tell, and what kind of Table 1 that story needs to persuade readers to keep reading.

References

• Hopewell S, Chan AW, Collins GS, et al. CONSORT 2025 explanation and elaboration: updated guideline for reporting randomised trials. BMJ. 2025;389:e081124.
• Vandenbroucke JP, von Elm E, Altman DG, et al. Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE): explanation and elaboration. PLoS Med. 2007;4(10):e297.