Question 1

Q: A researcher wants to determine whether there is an association between CRP values and the risk of MI or cancer. Four relative risk (RR) values were plotted $(0.5,1.5,1.7,1.8)$ with respect to CRP levels. What conclusion can be drawn?

CRP increases disease/cancer risk. ***CRP increases disease/cancer risk*** - A **relative risk (RR)** greater than 1 indicates an increased risk of the outcome (MI or cancer) in the exposed group (higher CRP levels) compared to the unexposed group. - The plots show RRs of 1.5, 1.7, and 1.8, all of which are greater than 1, consistently indicating that higher CRP levels are associated with an elevated risk for MI or cancer. - The overall trend across the four intervals demonstrates a positive association between CRP and disease risk. *CRP has no relationship* - This conclusion is incorrect because three of the four plotted RR values (1.5, 1.7, 1.8) are above 1, indicating a positive association or increased risk. - An RR of 1 signifies no relationship, but the majority of values clearly deviate from 1, showing a definite association. *CRP decreases & disease decreases* - While one RR value (0.5) suggests a decreased risk, the majority of the given RRs (1.5, 1.7, 1.8) are greater than 1, indicating an increased risk. - This option would only be true if all or most RR values were less than 1, implying a protective effect, which is not the overall trend here. *No association in first interval* - The first interval shows an RR of 0.5. An RR of 1 indicates no association, while an RR of 0.5 actually indicates a **decreased risk or protective effect**, rather than no association. - Therefore, stating "no association" for the first interval is inaccurate given the definition of relative risk. *CRP shows protective effect in first interval* - While the first interval RR of 0.5 does suggest a protective effect in isolation, this option fails to capture the **overall conclusion** from all four data points. - When interpreting multiple RR values together, the predominant pattern (three values >1) indicates an overall increased risk, making this a misleading conclusion for the study as a whole. [Practice more Biostatistics PYQs on OnCourse]

Question

A researcher wants to determine whether there is an association between CRP values and the risk of MI or cancer. Four relative risk (RR) values were plotted $(0.5,1.5,1.7,1.8)$ with respect to CRP levels. What conclusion can be drawn?

Accepted Answer

CRP increases disease/cancer risk

Answer

CRP has no relationship

Answer

CRP decreases & disease decreases

Answer

No association in first interval

Answer

CRP shows protective effect in first interval

NEET-PG 2021 — Biostatistics