Confounding & Interaction in Epidemiology

These flashcards cover key concepts related to confounding and interaction in epidemiology as outlined in the lecture notes.

Confounding

A mixing of effects where the association between exposure and disease is distorted due to another associated factor.

Random Error

Unsystematic errors of measurement or sampling that occur by chance.

Systematic Error

Errors due to a recognizable source, such as bias or confounding.

Bias

Systematic error introduced by investigators during the study's design or execution.

Effect Modification

When the magnitude of the association between exposure and disease is dependent on a third variable.

Selection Bias

Bias resulting from how subjects are selected for the study.

Information Bias

Bias arising from inaccurate information collected during a study.

Recall Bias

Differential recollection of past exposures by subjects, often leading to distorted associations.

Differential Participation

A situation where subjects in the study have different risks of an outcome compared to the general population.

Causal Inference

Evaluation of the evidence that an 'exposure' causes 'disease' and estimating the magnitude of this association.

Maternal Age

A factor that can act as a confounder in studies examining the risk of conditions like Down syndrome.

Adjusted Odds Ratio

An odds ratio that has been modified to account for confounding variables.

Stratum-Specific Odds Ratio

Odds ratios calculated for specific subgroups within a larger population.