Question

Tell if each measure of association is statistically significant and briefly explain why or why not.

- RR=1.69; p=0.52

- OR=0.95; (95% CI: 0.85-1.05)

-OR=2.10; p=.003

-RR= 2.56; (95% CI: 1.90-3.24)

Answer 1

Relative risk(RR) and odd ratio(OR) are the two most widely used measures of association to estimate risk of occurence of an event or a disease in an experimental group versus controlled group.

When RRis greater than one there will be higher chances of occurence of that disease or the event that is clinically significant.

At the same time when considering Confidence interval(CI) is a better measure to observe the statistical significant difference of outcome variables in experimental group and control group. If CI is less than one eg 95% CI=0.85-1.05 : then the risk reduction and odd ratio is considered statistically significant.

As the same if odd ratio OR is less than one indicates lesser risk of developing that disease in persons with risk factors. If OR is greater than one indicates higher probability of developing that disease.

Use of chi-square with 'p' values computation is also used in nursing literature but better to use CI. p value has no significance.