I would absolutely be harsh on this. There might well be reasons why they didn't include the other 54- perhaps these were the only 6 to maintain cognitive function sufficiently to continue to receive the treatment, or even be alive!
This is why we analyse on an intention-to-treat basis rather than who actually received the treatment. The publication makes no such attempt to explain this potential source of bias.
This is why we analyse on an intention-to-treat basis rather than who actually received the treatment. The publication makes no such attempt to explain this potential source of bias.