Study on bias and confounding in 'Spatial Epidemiology'.
- Author:
Yi-biao ZHOU
1
;
Qing-wu JIANG
;
Gen-ming ZHAO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Bias; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology); Ecology; Epidemiology; Geographic Information Systems; Geography; Humans; Socioeconomic Factors; Space-Time Clustering
- From: Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2005;26(2):135-139
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo explore the biases and confoundings in Spatial Epidemiological studies.
METHODSPossible bias and confounding and their impact on study results in Spatial Epidemiology were analyzed in given examples.
RESULTSIn Spatial Epidemiology, biases related to ascertainment/numerator/denominator induced by the choice of the disease induction/latency period and mis-specification of exposure-disease model, exposure inaccuracy, spatial dependency, significance tests etc. were involved, as well as to ecological, socio-economic confoundings factors.
CONCLUSIONThe sources of bias in 'Spatial Epidemiology' were both numerous and complex, that might be overestimated or underestimated on the study results. Hence, careful interpretation of such studies was needed.