Chapter 15, Problem 1RQ

Summary Introduction

Introduction: The inaccuracy observed in the connection between an exposure and outcome because of the other factors that or a variable that influences the outcome is called confounding.

Answer to Problem 1RQ

Correct answer: “Individual matching, stratification, group matching, and adjustment are approaches to handle confounding”.

Hence, the correct answer is option e.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for the correct answer:

Option e. is given as “All of the above”.

The confounding issue is able to handle by designing and carrying out the study or in data analysis. For designing and carrying out the study an individual can match the cases of controls either by group matching or by individual matching. The selection of the participants having similar range of distinctive factors leads to more comparable groups. Therefore, matching is a kind of confounder adjustment.

The confounding problem can be addressed in data analysis either by adjustment or stratification. The evaluation of the connection within homogeneous categories of the confounding factor to control the confounding the analysis stage is involved in stratification. The stratification permits the link between the exposure and the outcome for different levels of the factor.

Thus, the confounding can be addressed by group matching, individual matching, stratification, and adjustment.

Hence, the correct answer is option e.

Reasons for incorrect answers:

Option a. is given as, “Individual matching”.

Individual matching is an approach to handling confounding but stratification, group matching and adjustment are also an approach to handling confounding.

Hence, option a. is incorrect.

Option b. is given as, “Stratification”.

Stratification is an approach to handling confounding but individual matching, group matching and adjustment are also an approach to handling confounding.

Hence, option b. is incorrect.

Option c. is given as, “Group matching”.

Group matching is an approach to handling confounding but stratification, individual matching and adjustment are also an approach to handling confounding.

Hence, option c. is incorrect.

Option d. is given as, “Adjustment”.

Adjustment is an approach to handling confounding but stratification, group matching and individual matching are also an approach to handling confounding.

Hence, option d. is incorrect.

Hence, the options a., b., c., and d. are incorrect.

Conclusion

The approaches to handle confounding include individual matching, stratification, group matching, and adjustment.