A study measures hepatitis B antibody titers in 100 vaccinated health care workers. The titers vary widely (1:10 to 1:10,000). Which measure of central tendency is MOST appropriate to summarize these values?

• A Arithmetic mean
• B Mode
• C Median
• D Geometric mean ✓

Explanation

Antibody titers follow a log-normal distribution, meaning the data are multiplicative and right-skewed. The geometric mean is the standard measure for such data because it reduces the influence of extreme high values. The arithmetic mean would be pulled upward by the few very high titers and would overestimate the typical response.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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