HTHSCI 3C04 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Cohort Study, Relative Risk, Clinical Trial
11 Apr 2018
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Evaluation of studies of causation (aetiology) (ch 24) Study that examines the association between a risk factor (or exposure) and an outcome. Causation (or etiology) examines what causes, or increases/decreases the risk for a disease or condition. To be a cause, a change in exposure must produce a corresponding change in the outcome. Time (can be now, in the future, looking back) Other factors that can affect outcomes (confounders) Study that evaluates the negative outcomes or side effects of treatment. Two elements can be related but it does not mean they are causal. Association: means an outcome will occur more or less likely in the presence of the exposure. Causation: means changes in exposure will result in changes in the outcome. But we are never 100% sure that an exposure causes an outcome. For example, if factor a is believed to cause a disease, then factor a must always precede the occurrence of the disease: strength of association.
