<i>Is it a risk factor, a predictor, or even both</i>? The multiple faces of multivariable regression analysis
Rolf H. H. Groenwold, Olaf M Dekkers
Abstract
The medical research literature is abundant with regression analyses that include multiple covariates, so-called multivariable regression models. Despite their common application, the interpretation of their results is not always clear or claimed interpretations are not justified. To outline the distinctions between different interpretations, we describe several possible research objectives for which a multivariable regression analysis might be an appropriate way of analyzing the data. In addition, we describe caveats in the interpretation of results of multivariable regression analysis.
Topics & Concepts
Internal medicineMultivariable calculusRisk factorRegressionRegression analysisMedicineEndocrinologyStatisticsMathematicsEngineeringControl engineeringStatistical Methods in EpidemiologyAdvanced Statistical Methods and ModelsForecasting Techniques and Applications