Korean Journal of Family Medicine

Misinterpreting Odds Ratio in the Articles Published in Korean Journal of Family Medicine: Ju Heon Kim, Min Young Kim, Soo Young Kim, In Hong Hwang, En Jin Kang; Korean J Fam Med 2012;33(2):89-93. Published online March 30, 2012; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2012.33.2.89

Abstract
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Background

In reporting results of case-control studies, odds ratios are useful methods of reporting findings. However, odds ratios are often misinterpreted in the literature and by general readers.

Methods

We searched all original articles which were published in the Korean Journal of Family Medicine from 1980 to May 2011 and identified those that report "odds ratios." Misinterpretation of odds ratios as relative risks has been identified. Estimated risk ratios were calculated when possible and compared with odds ratios.

Results

One hundred and twenty-eight articles using odds ratios were identified. Among those, 122 articles were analyzed for the frequency of misinterpretation of odds ratios as relative risks. Twenty-two reports out of these 122 articles misinterpreted odds ratios as relative risks. The percentage of misinterpreting reports decreased over years. Seventy-seven reports were analyzed to compare the estimated risk ratios with odds ratios. In most of these articles, odds ratios were greater than estimated risk ratios, 60% of which had larger than 20% standardized differences.

Conclusion

In reports published in the Korean Journal of Family Medicine, odds ratios are frequently used. They were misinterpreted in part of the reports, although decreasing trends over years were observed.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Nota epidemiológica: razón de ODDS (OR)
Guillermo Sánchez Vanegas, Ana Milena Diaz Dominguez, Daniela Colmenares Rojas
Revista Repertorio de Medicina y Cirugía.2024; 33(2): 210. CrossRef
Now is the Time for a Postracial Medicine: Biomedical Research, the National Institutes of Health, and the Perpetuation of Scientific Racism
Javier Perez-Rodriguez, Alejandro de la Fuente
The American Journal of Bioethics.2017; 17(9): 36. CrossRef
Comments on Statistical Errors for May Issue 2012
Yong Gyu Park
Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2012; 33(3): 186. CrossRef

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Hyperhomocysteinemia and Cerebrovascular Diseases in Koreans.: Bu Kyoung Yoon, Chul Gab Lee, Rae Sang Kim, Man Jin Cha; J Korean Acad Fam Med 2006;27(1):12-20. Published online January 10, 2006

Abstract
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Background
: Hyperhomocysteinemia as a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease is well known. Our aim of this study was to demonstrate positive association between elevated homocysteine levels and cerebrovascular diseases in Koreans.

Methods : With a case-control design, 186 stroke (infarction 134, hemorrhage 52) patients, diagnosed by brain CT or MRI and 359 control patients were evaluated. We used multiple logistic regression analyses conditioned on the matching variables (sex, age, hypertension, DM, smoking, hyperlipidemia, hyperhomocysteinemia) and calculated odds ratio and 95% CIs.

Results : Multivariate adjusted odds ratios (OR) for cerebrovascular diseases associated with hypertension compared with normal blood pressure were 2.45 (95% CI, 1.16 to 5.15) in prehypertension and 3.33 (95% CI, 1.56 to 7.10) in stage 1 hypertension and 3.77 (95% CI, 1.32 to 10.74) in stage 2 hypertension. OR for cerebrovascular diseases associated with hyperhomocysteinemia compared with ＜10μmol/L were 2.06 (95% CI, 1.09 to 3.91) in 13.0 to 16.9μmol/L and 3.17 (95% CI, 1.70 to 5.90) in ≥17μmol/L.

Conclusion : Not only hypertension but also hyperhomocysteinemia was a significant risk factor for cerebrovascular diseases in Koreans.

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The Association between C-reactive Protein and Smoking Characteristics among Korean Men.: Joung Ki Choun, Yu Jin Paek, Jung Soo Byun, Kyung Hee Park, Hong Ji Song, Jung Jin Cho; J Korean Acad Fam Med 2005;26(10):621-628. Published online October 10, 2005

Abstract
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Background
: C-reactive protein is a substance that elevates when there is an abnormal metabolic reaction or inflammatory condition. Some researchers in Korea reported different results about the association between smoking and CRP. In this study, the relationship between CRP and various smoking characteristics among Korean men was investigated.

Methods : Data were analyzed in healthy men, who had visited a health promotion center in a university hospital from September, 2003 to December, 2003. CRP was quantitatively analyzed by high sensitivity-CRP. Elevated CRP (≥2.2 mg/L) level in relation to various smoking characteristics were studied and multiple logistic regression analysis for elevated CRP (≥2.2 mg/L) level was conducted.

Results : The number of current smokers was 893, past smokers 550, and non-smokers 413. The association between smoking status, daily smoking amount, duration of smoking (P=0.031, P=0.003, P=0.034) and elevated CRP level was shown by chi-square test. After multiple logistic regression analysis for risk factors, elevated CRP level was shwon to be associated with daily smoking amount in the current smokers, body fat percentage, WBC count and HDL-cholesterol. The odds ratios for elevated CRP level by smoking amount were 2.32 (95% confidence interval 1.11∼4.85) in those who smoked 10∼19 cigarettes per day, 3.54 (95% confidence interval 1.64∼7.63) in those who smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day compared to those who smoked less than 10 cigarettes per day.

Conclusion : Among current smokers, elevated CRP level was associated with daily smoking amount in the current smokers, This is the first study to report the relationship between CRP level and smoking behaviors among Korean men.