A study reports an odds ratio of 3.5 with a 95% confidence interval of 1.2 to 10.3. Which of the following statements is most accurate?

• A The result is statistically significant and clinically meaningful
• B The result is not statistically significant because the CI is wide
• C No conclusion can be drawn without the p-value
• D The result is statistically significant but the wide CI indicates imprecision ✓

Explanation

The 95% CI of 1.2 to 10.3 does not cross 1, so the result is statistically significant (p < 0.05). However, the very wide confidence interval spanning nearly 9 units indicates considerable imprecision in the estimate, likely due to a small sample size. Statistical significance does not imply clinical significance or precision.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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