Review Questions for Chapter 8 

  1. This term is used to refer to the explanatory variable in an epidemiologic study.
  2. This term is used to refer to the response or outcome variable in an epidemiologic study.
  3. [T/F?] The terms "measure of association" and "measure of effect" are often used  interchangeably. 
  4. What does it mean when we say there is a positive association between an exposure and disease? What does it mean when we say there is a negative association?
  5. [T/F] Associations equals causation.
  6. [T/F] Absolute comparisons are made by division.
  7. [T/F] Relative comparisons are made by division. 
  8. [T/F] When I say, "there will be 5 additional cases per 1000 exposure" I am referring to an RR.
  9. [T/F] When I say, "the exposure doubles risk" I am referring to a RR.
  10. This measure of association quantifies the effect of the exposure in absolute terms. 
  11. This measure of association quantifies the effect of an exposure in relative terms. 
  12. An exposed group has a risk of 50% and a non-exposed group has a risk of 35%. What is the RD?  
  13. Same data as prior question: what is the RR? 
  14. A report states "people who do not wear seat belts are eight times as likely to die in an automobile accident." Is this an incidence, attributable risk, relative risk, or risk difference?
  15. The one-year risk in an exposed group is 15 per 1000. The one-year risk of disease in a nonexposed is 10 per 1000. Would it be correct say that the exposure increases risk by 150%? Explain your reasoning.
  16. An RR of 1.4 suggests risk increases [in relative terms] by ______% with exposure. 
  17. [T/F] A RR of 0.7 indicates a positive association between the exposure and disease. 
  18. [T/F] A RD of 0.7 per 100 indicates a positive association between the exposure and disease.
  19. What is the baseline RD? 
  20. What happens to the RD if we redefine the exposed group as nonexposed and vice versa?
  21. What does a rate difference of ­54.3 per 10,000 person-years mean, in plain terms?
  22. What is the baseline relative risk? 
  23. What happens to the RR if we redefine the exposed group as nonexposed and vice versa?
  24. A risk ratio is 1.85. How much does the exposure increase risk in relative terms? 
  25. This statistic quantifies the proportion of cases that would be averted had the exposure been absent in cases.
  26. This statistic quantifies the proportion of cases that would be averted if the exposure had been absent in the population. 
  27. Why does the sum of attributable fractions associated with multiple exposures usually exceed 100%?
  28. Explain how the AFp differs from the AFe. 
  29. Matching these terms with their brief description. 
    Terms    : RR, RD, AF 
    Descriptions    : 
     (a) quantifies effect in absolute terms 
    (b) quantifies effect in relative terms 
    (c) quantifies proportion of cases that would be averted with removal of the exposure

Key

Last Update: 12/25/2008