METHODOLOGY FOR THE ENDOCRINOLOGIST: Basic aspects of confounding adjustment

European Journal of Endocrinology, vol. 182, pp. E5–E7

Abstract

The results of observational studies of causal effects are potentially biased due to confounding. Various methods have been proposed to control for confounding in observational studies. Eight basic aspects of confounding adjustment are described, with a focus on correction for confounding through covariate adjustment using regression analysis. These aspects should be considered when planning an observational study of causal effects or when assessing the validity of the results of such a study.

Authors 2

1. Rolf H. H. Groenwold corresponding Aachen 1Department of Clinical Epidemiology 2Department of Biomedical Data Sciences

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   1Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

   2Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

2. Olaf M. Dekkers Aachen 1Department of Clinical Epidemiology 3Department of Endocrinology

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   1Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

   3Department of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands