Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is required for an association to indicate causality regarding exposure to a factor and the occurrence of disease?
What is required for an association to indicate causality regarding exposure to a factor and the occurrence of disease?
Which of the following indicates that exposure to a factor precedes disease occurrence?
Which of the following indicates that exposure to a factor precedes disease occurrence?
Which of the following statements about specificity in causality is true?
Which of the following statements about specificity in causality is true?
Which example illustrates coherence with biological plausibility?
Which example illustrates coherence with biological plausibility?
Signup and view all the answers
Which factor is least likely to support a causal relationship between exposure and disease?
Which factor is least likely to support a causal relationship between exposure and disease?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary distinction between an association and a causal relationship?
What is the primary distinction between an association and a causal relationship?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of association is characterized by being a false connection due to chance or bias?
Which type of association is characterized by being a false connection due to chance or bias?
Signup and view all the answers
Which criterion for evaluating causal associations is based on the consistency of findings across different studies?
Which criterion for evaluating causal associations is based on the consistency of findings across different studies?
Signup and view all the answers
What does a relative risk ratio of greater than 4.0 indicate about an association?
What does a relative risk ratio of greater than 4.0 indicate about an association?
Signup and view all the answers
An indirect association typically occurs due to what underlying condition?
An indirect association typically occurs due to what underlying condition?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Association and Causation
- Association refers to a statistical relationship between an exposure and a disease without confirming causation.
- Causation indicates a direct relationship where a risk factor leads to the development of a disease.
Statistical Significance
- Differences in disease occurrence between groups must first be analyzed for statistical significance.
- A statistically significant difference indicates a potential association between a factor and disease.
Types of Statistical Associations
-
Artifactual (Spurious) Association:
- A false association arising from chance or bias in study methods.
- Requires replication to confirm. If not replicated, it may be deemed spurious.
-
Indirect (Non-Causal) Association:
- Association exists only due to both being related to a common underlying condition.
- Altering the indirectly associated factor does not change disease frequency unless it affects the common condition.
- Example: Low altitude indirectly associated with cholera due to water pollution.
-
Causal Association:
- Signifies a direct cause-effect relationship between a factor and disease.
Criteria for Causal Association
-
Strength of Association:
- Measured by relative risk (risk ratio) or odds ratio.
- Ratios indicate strength:
- < 2.0: very weak
- 2.0 – 3.9: weak to moderate
-
4.0: moderate to strong.
-
Dose-Response Relationship:
- A direct correlation where increased exposure leads to higher disease incidence.
-
Consistency of Association:
- Persistence of the association across multiple studies, populations, and methods strengthens causal inference.
-
Temporality:
- Exposure to the risk factor must occur prior to the disease, allowing time for potential disease development.
-
Specificity of Association:
- A specific association where one cause leads to one effect; for example, angiosarcoma linked to vinyl chloride exposure.
- Lack of specificity is less significant for establishing causality.
-
Coherence with Existing Information (Biological Plausibility):
- Plausibility of the association in line with existing knowledge enhances causal argument.
- Example of plausibility: Higher disease incidence in sexually active individuals suggesting a sexually transmitted disease.
- Example of implausibility: A claim that the polio vaccine reduces fertility conflicts with established scientific understanding.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the fundamental concepts of association and causation in epidemiology. This quiz will test your understanding of how statistical relationships between exposures and diseases are determined, as well as the significance of differences in disease occurrence between groups.
