13 Questions
Which Bradford Hill criteria assesses whether the relationship between the risk factor and the disease is consistent across various studies?
Consistency
Which criterion evaluates if the risk factor is only associated with the disease of interest?
Specificity
Which Bradford Hill criteria refers to the extent to which the relationship between the risk factor and the disease is strong?
Strength of association
Which criterion evaluates whether there is a dose-response relationship between the risk factor and the disease?
Biological gradient
Which criteria by Bradford Hill focuses on whether the risk factor is only associated with the disease under study?
Specificity
Which criterion assesses whether a strong association indicates a higher likelihood of causation?
Strength of association
Which criteria by Bradford Hill relates to a consistent relationship between different studies increasing the likelihood of causation?
Consistency
What was the relative risk for pulmonary embolism among women using low dose estrogen compared to those using higher doses?
1.75
Which condition had a higher relative risk among women with the lowest socioeconomic status?
Myocardial infarction
What type of combined oral contraceptives were investigated in the study?
Both estrogen and progesterone
Which factor was not an exclusion criterion for selecting participants in the study?
Hospital admission for diabetes
What was the observed trend with higher doses of estrogen in relation to pulmonary embolism?
Increased risk
After adjusting for progestogen and risk factors, what was the relative risk for ischaemic stroke among women using low dose estrogen?
2.33
Study Notes
Bradford Hill Criteria for Causation
The Bradford Hill criteria are a set of guidelines used by researchers to evaluate whether a relationship between two factors is causal. These nine criteria were developed by Sir Austin Bradford Hill in the United Kingdom during his work with the Medical Research Council's working party on the assessment of health hazards arising from the use of certain industrial chemicals. The criteria are:
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Strength of association: This refers to the extent to which the relationship between the risk factor and the disease is strong. A strong association indicates a higher likelihood of causation.
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Consistency: This criterion assesses whether the relationship between the risk factor and the disease is consistent across various studies. If the relationship is consistent across different studies, it increases the likelihood of causation.
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Specificity: This criterion evaluates whether the risk factor is only associated with the disease of interest, or if it is also associated with other diseases. A specific association, where the risk factor is only associated with the disease of interest, is more likely to be causal.
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Biological gradient: This criterion assesses whether there is a dose-response relationship between the risk factor and the disease. If there is a consistent relationship between the amount of the risk factor and the risk of the disease, it increases the likelihood of causation.
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Temporality: This criterion considers whether the risk factor precedes the disease. If the risk factor consistently precedes the disease, it is more likely to be causal.
The Bradford Hill criteria are not rigid rules but rather guidelines that help researchers evaluate the potential causality of an association between two factors. These criteria have been widely used in epidemiological research and have provided valuable insights into understanding causation in various fields. However, they should be used with caution and in conjunction with other evidence, such as biological plausibility and analytical methods.
Learn about the Bradford Hill criteria, a set of guidelines used to evaluate causality between two factors. Understand the significance of criteria such as strength of association, consistency, specificity, biological gradient, and temporality in assessing causal relationships.
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