Counfounding Problem Set Epid 7010 1.

The data below are from a cross-sectional seroprevalence survey of HIV among prostitutes in relation to IV drug use. The data are stratified by race. Black IV Drug Users HIV+ HIV (a) 31 (c) 93 Non-Drug Users (b) 12 (d) 144 White (b) 3 (d) 124

HIV+ HIV-

(a) 16 (c) 141

a. Calculate the crude odds ratio in this population. Since these are prevalence data, the odds ratio is technically called a Prevalence Odds Ratio (POR) so readers understand that this design cant ensure that exposure happened before disease. It is interpreted as, the odds of exposure (IV drug users) among HIV+ prostitutes is X.XX times as....

b. What is the estimated OR for the white and black groups (odds of IV drug use among HIV postitive prostitutes relative to the odds of IV drug use among HIV negative prostitutes?

c. What is the adjusted prevalence odds ratio? Use the Mantel Haenszel adjusted estimate. The formula is: SUM(a*d/T)/SUM(b*c/T) This means that you sum up the a*d (exposed HIV+ times unexposed HIV-), and divide it by the weight, or total number in the stratum (T), then add this to the a*d/T in the next stratum. For the divisor, you add up the b*c/T for each stratum. d. Is there confounding by race? Why?

2. The following data show the incidence of death in persons on tolbutamide or placebo stratified by age in persons with diabetes. Age<55 Personyears 4000 6000 Age>55 Personyears 5000 4000

Deaths Tolbutamide 160 Placebo 65

Deaths Tolbutamide 340 Placebo 70

a. Calculate the stratum specific incidence rate ratios in each age group.

b. Calculate the crude incidence rate ratio

c. Give a rough estimate of the adjusted IRR.

d. Is there confounding by age? Why?