HARM OR CAUSATION.
Adapted from:
Consider
Patients
Exposure
Outcome
Consider:
Is it clear that the exposure preceded the onset of
the outcome?
Is there a dose-response gradient?
Is there any positive evidence from a dechallenge
rechallenge study?
Is the association consistent from study to study?
Does the association make biological sense?
ARE THE RESULTS IMPORTANT?
[c / (c + d)] [b / d] bc
Odds Also describes the chance of an event occurring. Odds are a ratio, i.e.
the numerator is not in the denominator e.g. a / c.
Relative risk (RR) A measure of the chance of the event occurring in the exposed group
relative to it occurring in the unexposed group. Relative risk is a ratio of
proportions. RR > 1.0 means an increase in risk; RR < 1.0 a decrease
in risk.
Odds ratio (OR) A ratio of ratios. Measures the odds (chance) of a case patient being
exposed divided by the odds of a control patient being exposed. OR >
1.0 means an increased odds (chance) of being cases being exposed;
an OR < 1.0 means a decrease in the odds (chance) of being exposed.
Confidence interval For whatever effect being measures (e.g. RR, OR) the confidence
interval is the range of values within which the true value in the
population is found. Generally expressed as a 95% confidence interval,
i.e. you can be 95% confident that the population value lies within
those limits.