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Relative risks and odds ratios: Simple rules on when and how to use them
Author(s) -
McKenzie Dean P.,
Thomas Christopher
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1111/eci.13249
Subject(s) - odds , odds ratio , relative risk , statistic , diagnostic odds ratio , statistics , confidence interval , medicine , computer science , mathematics , logistic regression
Abstract Aim Relative risks and odds ratios are widely reported in the medical literature, but can be very difficult to understand. We sought to further clarify these important indices. Methods We illustrated both relative risks and odds ratios using bar charts, then looked at the types of study for which each statistic is suited. We demonstrated calculation of relative risks and odds ratios through analysis of tabled data from a recent published longitudinal study, using a 2 × 2 table and R, the open‐source statistical programming language. Simple rules for when and how to use relative risks and odds ratios are presented. Conclusion Understanding the difference between relative risks and odds ratios and when and how to use them may aid clinical interpretation, dissemination and translation of research findings.