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Swimmer Plots Revisited: Feature-Filled, Comprehensive, Integrated, Elevated (305350)

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Rui Huang, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals 
*Michael Pannucci, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals 

Keywords: swimmer plot, data visualization, subject level data

Swimmer plots are powerful visualizations, but they are even more powerful when overlaid with multiple layers of information simultaneously. Existing examples demonstrating overlays are disparate, and no single example showcases the integration of features in a unified and comprehensive way. The supplemental features are to add text, lines, symbols and annotation tables. These features enhance the ability of swimmer plots to highlight treatment response, enhance contrast between subgroups, and tell compelling stories about the impact of special events on outcomes in an intuitive and easily digestible way.

As with standard swimmer plots, subjects are represented as horizontal bars with each segment displaying response levels which are enhanced with symbols, lines and text. Symbols can represent events such as start of rescue medication. Lines can denote segments when the patient had an adverse event. Text can show values of lab measurements. The plot can be supplemented with annotation tables displaying the baseline or demographic information.

Comprehensive integration of features elevates the power and usefulness of swimmer plots in visualizing patient level data.