Confounding, Bias and Effect Modification

Confounding, Bias and Effect Modification

Confounding factors A confounding factor is a variable that is associated with both the outcome of interest and the exposure of interest. In this constellation, the exposure of interest appears (spuriously) to be associated with the outcome of interest, while in...
What is Evidence-based Medicine?

What is Evidence-based Medicine?

Evidence-based medicine is the term used to describe the process of systematically reviewing, appraising and using the findings of clinical research to assist with the delivery of optimum clinical care to patients. The most commonly quoted definition of evidence-based...
Risk and Odds

Risk and Odds

Risk vs. odds The terms ‘risk’ and ‘odds’ are often used interchangeably but they actually have quite different implications and are calculated in different ways. Odds is a concept that is very familiar to gamblers. It is a ratio of probability that a particular event...
Interpreting Diagnostic Tests

Interpreting Diagnostic Tests

What are diagnostic tests? A diagnostic test can be defined as ‘any kind of medical test performed to aid in the diagnosis or detection of disease, injury or any other medical condition’. Typically with any diagnostic test some of those at risk will be missed (false...