Causality and Associations

Question 0

time order

Answer 0

cause must precede the effect (short [proximate] or long [distant] period of time)

Question 1

True causes have 3 essential attributes

Answer 1

association, time order, and direction

Question 2

direction

Answer 2

asymmetrical relationship between the cause and effect

Question 3

association

Answer 3

a causal factor must occur together with the putative effect, must be a statistical dependence

Question 4

Hill’s 5 primary criteria used for establishing causation

Answer 4

strength, consistency, temporality, biological gradient, plausibility

Question 5

Strength

Answer 5

refers to the size of the association (bigger = better)

Question 6

Consistency

Answer 6

the repeated observation of association in different populations under different circumstances in different studies

Question 7

Temporality

Answer 7

the necessity that the cause precedes the effect/outcome in time
only guideline where there is COMPLETE agreement between epis

(proximate and distant time periods)

Question 8

biological gradient

Answer 8

refers to the observation of a gradient of risk (dose-response) associated with the degree of exposure

Question 9

plausibility

Answer 9

refers to the biological feasibility (understanding) the associated can be understood and explained

Question 10

sufficient cause

Answer 10

complete causal mechanism that inevitably produces disease (not just 1 cause)

each factor is a component cause

Question 11

necessary cause

Answer 11

causal component that is a member of every sufficient cause

ex. exposure to HIV is nec. cause of AIDS

Question 12

induction period

Answer 12

length of time from the action of a causal component until disease initiation

Question 13

latent period

Answer 13

interval from disease onset to detection, (follows the induction period)