A researcher uses logistic regression to adjust for confounders while studying the association between smoking and lung cancer. The adjusted OR for smoking is 8.4 (95% CI: 5.1–13.8). What does this adjusted OR represent?
- A The odds of lung cancer in smokers relative to non-smokers, holding all other covariates constant ✓
- B The absolute risk of lung cancer in smokers compared to non-smokers after removing confounders
- C The relative risk of lung cancer in smokers compared to non-smokers
- D The probability that smoking causes lung cancer
Correct answer: A. The odds of lung cancer in smokers relative to non-smokers, holding all other covariates constant
Explanation
In logistic regression, the exponentiated coefficient (e^β) gives the adjusted OR, representing the ratio of odds of the outcome in the exposed versus unexposed group while all other covariates are held constant. It does not equal relative risk (which requires incidence data) and does not express absolute risk or causation probability.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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