A comparative study of multiple parallel mediation analysis methods.
10.3760/cma.j.cn112338-20211022-00814
- VernacularTitle:多重并行中介分析方法的比较研究
- Author:
Yang YU
1
;
Qin Xiao QIU
1
;
Dong Fang YOU
1
;
Yang ZHAO
2
Author Information
1. Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
2. Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China Key Laboratory of Biomedical Big Data/Cancer Individualized Medicine Collaborative Innovation Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Bias;
Computer Simulation;
Humans;
Mediation Analysis;
Models, Statistical;
Probability;
Regression Analysis;
Research Design
- From:
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology
2022;43(5):739-746
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: To introduce and compare four analysis methods of multiple parallel mediation model, including pure regression method, method based on inverse probability weighting, extended natural effect model method and weight-based imputation strategies. Methods: For the multiple parallel mediation model, the simulation experiments of three scenarios were carried out to compare the performance of different methods in estimating direct and indirect effects in different situations. Dataset from UK Biobank was then analyzed by using the four methods. Results: The estimation biases of the regression method and the inverse probability weighting method were relatively small, followed by the extended natural effect model method, and the estimation results of the weight-based imputation strategies were quite different from the other three methods. Conclusions: Different multiple parallel mediation analysis methods have different application situations and their own advantages and disadvantages. The regression method is more suitable for continuous mediator, and the inverse probability weighting method is more suitable for binary mediator. The extended natural effect model method has better performances when the residuals of two parallel mediators are positively correlated and the correlation degree is small. The weight-based imputation strategies might not be appropriate for parallel mediation analysis. Therefore, appropriate methods should be selected according to the specific situation in practice.
