Glossary

Some medical words and phrases explained

NICE

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

NNH

The Number Needed to Harm. If the NNH was 10, then 10 people would be treated and one would be harmed.

NNT

The Number Needed to Treat. If the NNT was 10, then 10 people would have to be given the treatment for it to work for one person.

Nocebo effect

The opposite of a placebo effect, when a placebo appears to give side effects rather than benefits.