Selection and adjustment of potential confounders based on changes of effect size using EmpowerStats
SHI Hongying1, CHEN Changzhong2, MAO Guangyun1, HUANG Chenping1, YANG Xinjun1.
1.Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035; 2.Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Medical College of Harvard University, Massachusetts, 02115
SHI Hongying,CHEN Changzhong,MAO Guangyun, et al. Selection and adjustment of potential confounders based on changes of effect size using EmpowerStats[J]. JOURNAL OF WEZHOU MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, 2017, 47(5): 361-365.
Abstract：Objective: To introduce a new method for selecting and adjusting confounding factors. Methods: The disadvantage of traditional method for selecting confounders including methods based on P value or stepwise regression was analyzed was analyzed, and a new method based on the change of effect size was proposed to select the potential confounders which need to be controlled. And the study also demonstrated the application of EmpowerStats software using the new method. Results: EmpowerStats statistical software could automatically choose right regression methods and select the appropriate confounding factors based on the change of effect size conveniently. Conclusion: Selecting confounding factors based on the change of effect size is a better choice, and can give a more accurate independent effect, and has been widely used and accepted worldwide.
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