6. RELATIVE RISK INTERPRETATION

Question 1

1. How do we interpret the Risk Ratio and the Rate Ratio?

Answer 1

• we interpret them in exactly the same way

Question 2

2. What do we refer to when interpreting the Risk and the Rate ratio?

Answer 2

• we refer to the relative increased risk in the exposed
  category
• we refer to the relative decreased risk in the exposed
  category
• this is compared to the unexposed (reference) category

Question 3

3. In which three ways is Relative Risk interpreted?

Answer 3

1. Results greater than 1
2. Results less than 1
3. Results equal to 1

Question 4

4. What is the interpretation for when the Relative risk result is greater than 1?

Answer 4

• the exposed group have a higher risk (probability) of
  the outcome (disease) than the unexposed
• the exposure is harmful for the outcome
• the exposure leads to an increased risk

Question 5

5. What is the interpretation for when the Relative risk result is less than 1?

Answer 5

• the exposed group have a lower risk (probability) of the
  outcome (disease) than the unexposed
• the exposure is protective for the outcome

Question 6

6. What is the interpretation for when the Relative risk result is equal to 1?

Answer 6

• the exposed group have exactly the same
  risk (probability) of the outcome (disease) than the
  unexposed
• the exposure gas no association with the outcome
• there is an equal risk
• the exposure makes no difference

Question 7

7. What is meant by a Positive/Direct Association?

Answer 7

AS THE EXPOSURE INCREASES:
- the risk of the outcome also increases

NB:
- the same applies to the Odds Ratio

Question 8

8. What is meant by a Negative/Inverse Association?

Answer 8

AS THE EXPOSURE INCREASES:
- the risk pf the outcome decreases

NB:
- the same applies to the Odds Ratio