Causality, Confusion, and Interaction in Health Sciences Statistics
25 Questions
1 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

In the context of epidemiology, what is a causal relationship between an exposure E and an outcome D defined as?

  • A relationship where the correlation coefficient between E and D is less than 0
  • A relationship where E and D are statistically independent
  • A relationship where E follows D in time
  • A relationship where there is a significant statistical association between E and D (correct)

    • What should be considered before assuming a significant association between a given exposure and a given health outcome?

  • The presence of other confounding variables (correct)
  • The geographical location where the exposure occurred
  • The individual's genetic makeup
  • The day of the week when the exposure occurred

    • Which of the following study types requires that exposure E precedes outcome D?

  • Cross-sectional study
  • Ecological study
  • Cohort study (correct)
  • Case-control study

    • In causal mediation, what does a mediator M represent?

    <p>An intermediate step between exposure E and outcome D</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main challenge in modeling causation in epidemiology?

    <p>The complexity of natural mechanisms linking exposure to outcome</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'confounding' refer to in epidemiological research?

    <p>The influence of a third variable on the relationship between the exposure and outcome</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does it mean when a relationship between two variables is 'confounded'?

    <p>The relationship is influenced by a third variable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of stratifying data by sex in epidemiological analysis?

    <p>To control for the influence of gender on the exposure-outcome relationship</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does it mean to 'adjust for confounding' in epidemiological analysis?

    <p>To statistically account for the influence of confounding variables in the analysis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does it mean when a study result is 'confounded by sex'?

    <p>The study result is influenced by differences in the male and female study populations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is controlling for confounding variables important in epidemiological research?

    <p>To improve accuracy and reduce bias in estimating causal effects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does it mean to 'adjust for sex' in an epidemiological analysis?

    <p>To account for potential gender-related confounding in the analysis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does a mediator play in causal inference?

    <p>A mediator explains the mechanism through which the exposure influences the outcome</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of causal mediation analysis?

    <p>To assess how much of the total effect operates through a mediator variable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does it mean when a study result is 'confounded'?

    <p>The study result may be biased due to uncontrolled factors affecting the exposure-outcome relationship</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the definition of a confounder in the context of an association between an exposure E and an outcome D?

    <p>A variable C that has an effect on D and is associated with E</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What potential problem can arise when including or excluding a confounder C in the analysis?

    <p>Both a and b</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of not dealing properly with an interaction between variables E and X?

    <p>Both c and d</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In epidemiology, which are typical confounders when assessing the effect of an exposure of interest?

    <p>Sex and age</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If there is an interaction between exposure E and third variable X, how should the association between E and D be described?

    <p>Describing the association for each level of X</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does it mean when a variable modifies the effect of E on D?

    <p>The variable varies among different levels of E</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What could be a possible interpretation when comparing two models: one adjusted for a potential confounder and another adjusted for both the potential confounder and a modifying variable?

    <p>$\beta$A represents the expected change in the mean outcome for each 1-unit increase in the exposure, when individuals compared have the same levels of potential confounders but different levels of modifiers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of a linear regression model, how is an interaction between variables handled?

    <p>By fitting separate models for each level of the interacting variable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    $ ext{In a linear regression model, if we suspect that sex (S) modifies the relationship between intima media thickness (IMT) and age (A),}$ $ ext{how should we adjust for this potential modification?}$

    <p>$ ext{By fitting separate regression models for each level of sex (S)}$</p> Signup and view all the answers

    $ ext{In epidemiology, when assessing the effect of an exposure on an outcome of interest, what are typical variables that need to be considered as potential confounders?}$

    <p>$ ext{Age and sex}$</p> Signup and view all the answers

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser