1
|
Ko Y, Howard SC, Golden AP, French B. Adjustment for duration of employment in occupational epidemiology. Ann Epidemiol 2024; 94:33-41. [PMID: 38631438 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2024.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE In occupational epidemiology, the healthy worker survivor effect can manifest as a time-dependent confounder because healthier workers can accrue greater amounts of exposure over longer periods of employment. For example, in occupational studies of radiation exposure that focus on cumulative annualized radiation dose, workers can accrue greater amounts of cumulative radiation exposure over longer periods of employment, while workers with longer periods of employment can transition into jobs with a reduced potential for annualized radiation exposure. The extent to which confounding arising from the healthy worker survivor effect impacts radiation risk estimates is unknown. METHODS We assessed the impact of the healthy worker survivor effect on estimates of radiation risk among nuclear workers in a Million Person Study cohort. In simulation studies, we contrasted the ability of marginal structural Cox models with inverse probability weighting and Cox proportional hazards models to account for time-dependent confounding arising from the healthy worker survivor effect. RESULTS Marginal structural Cox models and Cox proportional hazards models with flexible functional forms for duration of employment provided reliable results. CONCLUSIONS It is crucial to flexibly adjust for duration of employment to account for confounding arising from the healthy worker survivor effect in occupational epidemiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeji Ko
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2525 West End Avenue Suite 1100, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
| | - Sara C Howard
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, 100 Orau Way, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA
| | - Ashley P Golden
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, 100 Orau Way, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA
| | - Benjamin French
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2525 West End Avenue Suite 1100, Nashville, TN 37203, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xiao B, Cao C, Han Y, Yang F, Hu H, Luo J. A non-linear connection between the total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and stroke risk: a retrospective cohort study from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:175. [PMID: 38491452 PMCID: PMC10943863 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01769-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The connection between total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) ratio and stroke risk is controversial. This study aims to examine the connection between the TC/HDL-C ratio and stroke in middle-aged and older individuals who are part of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). METHODS This study conducted a retrospective cohort analysis, enrolling a total of 10,184 participants who met the designated criteria from CHARLS between 2011 and 2012. We then used the Cox proportional-hazards regression model to analyze the relationship between the TC/HDL-C ratio and stroke risk. Using a Cox proportional hazards regression model with cubic spline functions and smooth curve fitting, we were able to identify the non-linear relationship between the TC/HDL-C ratio and stroke occurrence. The sensitivity and subgroup analyses were also performed to investigate the connection between TC/HDL-C ratio and stroke. RESULTS This study revealed a statistically significant association between the TC/HDL-C ratio and stroke risk in subjects aged 45 years or older after adjusting for risk factors (HR: 1.05, 95%CI 1.00-1.10, P = 0.0410). Furthermore, a non-linear connection between the TC/HDL-C ratio and stroke risk was detected, with a TC/HDL-C ratio inflection point of 3.71. We identified a significant positive connection between the TC/HDL-C ratio and stroke risk, when the TC/HDL-C ratio was less than 3.71 (HR: 1.25, 95%CI 1.07-1.45, P = 0.0039). However, their connection was not significant when the TC/HDL-C ratio exceeded 3.71 (HR: 1.00, 95%CI 0.94-1.06, P = 0.9232). The sensitivity analysis and subgroup analyses revealed that our findings were well-robust. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated a positive, non-linear connection between the TC/HDL-C ratio and stroke risk in middle-aged and older individuals. There was a significant positive connection between the TC/HDL-C ratio and stroke risk, when the TC/HDL-C ratio was less than 3.71. The current research can be used as a guideline to support clinician consultation and optimize stroke prevention measures for middle-aged and older adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Binhui Xiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Yantian District People's Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology Yantian Hospital, Shenzhen, 518081, Guangdong, China
| | - Changchun Cao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen Dapeng New District Nan'ao People's Hospital, No. 6, Renmin Road, Dapeng New District, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Han
- Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518035, Guangdong, China
| | - Fangju Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen Dapeng New District Nan'ao People's Hospital, No. 6, Renmin Road, Dapeng New District, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong, China.
| | - Haofei Hu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, No.3002, Sungang West Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, 518035, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jiao Luo
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen Dapeng New District Nan'ao People's Hospital, No. 6, Renmin Road, Dapeng New District, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shao Y, Hu H, Cao C, Han Y, Wu C. Elevated triglyceride-glucose-body mass index associated with lower probability of future regression to normoglycemia in Chinese adults with prediabetes: a 5-year cohort study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1278239. [PMID: 38414822 PMCID: PMC10898590 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1278239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Despite the clear association of TyG-BMI with prediabetes and the progression of diabetes, no study to date has examined the relationship between TyG-BMI and the reversal of prediabetes to normoglycemia. Methods 25,279 participants with prediabetes who had physical examinations between 2010 and 2016 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. The relationship between baseline TyG-BMI and regression to normoglycemia from prediabetes was examined using the Cox proportional hazards regression model in this study. Additionally, the nonlinear association between TyG-BMI and the likelihood of regression to normoglycemia was investigated using the Cox proportional hazards regression with cubic spline function. Competing risk multivariate Cox regression analysis was conducted, with progression to diabetes as a competing risk for prediabetes reversal to normoglycemia. Furthermore, subgroup analyses and a series of sensitivity analyses were performed. Results After adjusting for covariates, the results showed that TyG-BMI was negatively associated with the probability of returning to normoglycemia (per 10 units, HR=0.970, 95% CI: 0.965, 0.976). They were also nonlinearly related, with an inflection point for TyG-BMI of 196.46. The effect size (HR) for TyG-BMI to the right of the inflection point (TyG-BMI ≥ 196.46) and the probability of return of normoglycemia was 0.962 (95% CI: 0.954, 0.970, per 10 units). In addition, the competing risks model found a negative correlation between TyG-BMI and return to normoglycemia (SHR=0.97, 95% CI: 0.96-0.98). Sensitivity analyses demonstrated the robustness of our results. Conclusion This study demonstrated a negative and nonlinear relationship between TyG-BMI and return to normoglycemia in Chinese adults with prediabetes. Through active intervention, the combined reduction of BMI and TG levels to bring TyG-BMI down to 196.46 could significantly increase the probability of returning to normoglycemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Shao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Liaoning Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Haofei Hu
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Changchun Cao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shenzhen Dapeng New District Nan’ao People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Han
- Department of Emergency, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Cen Wu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mo Z, Hu H, Han Y, Cao C, Zheng X. Association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and reversion to normoglycemia from prediabetes: an analysis based on data from a retrospective cohort study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:35. [PMID: 38168464 PMCID: PMC10762102 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50539-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The available evidence on the connection between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and the reversion from prediabetes (Pre-DM) to normoglycemia is currently limited. The present research sought to examine the connection between HDL-C levels and the regression from Pre-DM to normoglycemia in a population of Chinese adults. This historical cohort study collected 15,420 Pre-DM patients in China who underwent health screening between 2010 and 2016. The present research used the Cox proportional hazards regression model to investigate the connection between HDL-C levels and reversion from Pre-DM to normoglycemia. The Cox proportional hazards regression model with cubic spline functions and smooth curve fitting was employed to ascertain the nonlinear association between HDL-C and reversion from Pre-DM to normoglycemia. Furthermore, a set of sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses were employed. Following the adjustment of covariates, the findings revealed a positive connection between HDL-C levels and the likelihood of reversion from Pre-DM to normoglycemia (HR 1.898, 95% CI 1.758-2.048, P < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a non-linear relationship between HDL-C and the reversion from Pre-DM to normoglycemia in both genders, and the inflection point of HDL-C was 1.540 mmol/L in males and 1.620 mmol/L in females. We found a strong positive correlation between HDL-C and the reversion from Pre-DM to normoglycemia on the left of the inflection point (Male: HR 2.783, 95% CI 2.373-3.263; Female: HR 2.217, 95% CI 1.802-2.727). Our sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings. Subgroup analyses indicated that patients with SBP < 140 mmHg and ever smoker exhibited a more pronounced correlation between HDL-C levels and the reversion from Pre-DM to normoglycemia. In contrast, a less robust correlation was observed among patients with SBP ≥ 140 mmHg, current and never smokers. This study provides evidence of a positive and nonlinear association between HDL-C levels and the reversion from Pre-DM to normoglycemia in Chinese patients. Implementing intensified intervention measures to control the HDL-C levels of patients with Pre-DM around the inflection point may substantially enhance the likelihood of regression to normoglycemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zihe Mo
- Department of Physical Examination, DongGuan Tungwah Hospital, Dongguan, 523000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Haofei Hu
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yong Han
- Department of Emergency, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, No.3002, Sungang West Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Changchun Cao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen Dapeng New District Nan'ao People's Hospital, No. 6, Renmin Road, Dapeng New District, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Xiaodan Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Shenzhen Samii Medical Center, The Fourth People's Hospital of Shenzhen, No. 1 Jinniu West Road, Shijing Street, Pingshan District, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Soohoo M, Arah OA. Investigation of the structure and magnitude of time-varying uncontrolled confounding in simulated cohort data analyzed using g-computation. Int J Epidemiol 2023; 52:1907-1913. [PMID: 37898996 PMCID: PMC10749778 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyad150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND When estimating the effect of time-varying exposures on longer-term outcomes, the assumption of conditional exchangeability or no uncontrolled confounding extends beyond baseline confounding to include time-varying confounding. We illustrate the structures and magnitude of uncontrolled time-varying confounding in exposure effect estimates obtained from g-computation when sequential conditional exchangeability is violated. METHODS We used directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) to depict time-varying uncontrolled confounding. We performed simulations and used g-computation to quantify the effects of each time-varying exposure for each DAG type. Models adjusting all time-varying confounders were considered the true (bias-adjusted) estimate. The exclusion of time-varying uncontrolled confounders represented the biased effect estimate and an unmet 'no uncontrolled confounding' assumption. True and biased estimates were compared across DAGs, with different magnitudes of uncontrolled confounding. RESULTS Time-varying uncontrolled confounding can present in several scenarios, including relationships into subsequently measured exposure(s), outcome, unmeasured confounder(s) and other measured confounder(s). In simulations, effect estimates obtained from g-computation were more biased in DAGs when the uncontrolled confounders were directly related to the outcome. Complex DAGs that included relationships between uncontrolled confounders and other variables and relationships where exposures caused uncontrolled confounders at the next time point resulted in the most biased effect estimates. In these complex DAGs, excluding uncontrolled confounders affected the multiple effect estimates. CONCLUSIONS Time-varying uncontrolled confounding has the potential to substantially impact observed effect estimates. Given the importance of longitudinal studies in advising public health, the impact of time-varying uncontrolled confounding warrants more recognition and evaluation using quantitative bias analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Soohoo
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Onyebuchi A Arah
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Statistics and Data Science, UCLA College, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Research Unit for Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Huang Z, Han Y, Hu H, Cao C, Liu D, Wang Z. Triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio is associated with regression to normoglycemia from prediabetes in adults: a 5-year cohort study in China. J Transl Med 2023; 21:868. [PMID: 38037094 PMCID: PMC10688482 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04752-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The current body of evidence on the association between the ratio of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-c) and the reversal of prediabetes to normoglycemia remains limited. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between TG/HDL-c and the reversion to normoglycemia in patients with prediabetes. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included 15,107 individuals with prediabetes from 32 Chinese districts and 11 cities who completed health checks from 2010 to 2016. The Cox proportional-hazards regression model examined baseline TG/HDL-c and reversion to normoglycemia from prediabetes. Cox proportional hazards regression with cubic spline functions and smooth curve fitting determined the non-linear connection between TG/HDL-c and reversion to normoglycemia. We also ran sensitivity and subgroup analysis. By characterizing progression to diabetes as a competing risk for the reversal of prediabetes to normoglycemic event, a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model with competing risks was created. RESULTS Upon adjusting for covariates, the findings indicate a negative association between TG/HDL-c and the likelihood of returning to normoglycemia (HR = 0.869, 95%CI:0.842-0.897). Additionally, a non-linear relationship between TG/HDL-c and the probability of reversion to normoglycemia was observed, with an inflection point of 1.675. The HR on the left side of the inflection point was 0.748 (95%CI:0.699, 0.801). The robustness of our results was confirmed through competing risks multivariate Cox's regression and a series of sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION The present study reveals a negative and non-linear correlation between TG/HDL-c and the reversion to normoglycemia among Chinese individuals with prediabetes. The findings of this study are anticipated to serve as a valuable resource for clinicians in managing dyslipidemia in prediabetic patients. Interventions aimed at reducing the TG/HDL-c ratio through the reduction of TG or elevation of HDL-c levels may substantially enhance the likelihood of achieving normoglycemia in individuals with prediabetes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Huang
- Department of Emergency, Futian District, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, No. 3002 Sungang Road, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yong Han
- Department of Emergency, Futian District, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, No. 3002 Sungang Road, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Haofei Hu
- Department of Nephrology, Guangdong Province, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Changchun Cao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shenzhen Dapeng New District Nan'ao People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Dehong Liu
- Department of Emergency, Futian District, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, No. 3002 Sungang Road, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Zhibin Wang
- Department of Emergency, Futian District, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, No. 3002 Sungang Road, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Han Q, Chu J, Hu W, Liu S, Sun N, Chen X, He Q, Feng Z, Li T, Wu J, Shen Y. Association between coffee and incident heart failure: A prospective cohort study from the UK Biobank. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2023; 33:2119-2127. [PMID: 37563067 DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2023.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The relationship between coffee consumption and heart failure (HF) incidence is inconclusive. This study aimed to explore the association between time-varying coffee consumption and incident HF using a longitudinal study design. METHODS AND RESULTS Data were obtained from the UK Biobank, comprising 497,503 adults (age, 56.5 ± 8.1 years; 54.6% women) who were free from HF at baseline in 2006-2010. The median follow-up time for the HF incidence was 11.9 years. Marginal structural models (MSM) were employed to adjust for potential time-varying confounders and account for bias caused by loss of follow-up. Furthermore, we used a restricted cubic spline to test and describe the nonlinear relationship between coffee consumption and HF risk. At baseline, 70.5% of participants reported drinking ≥1 cups/d coffee and 2.7% participants developed HF. After adjusting for potential confounders, we identified a nonlinear J-shaped association between coffee consumption and HF risk (P < 0.001). Compared with drinking coffee <1 cups/d, 1-2 cups/d (HR = 0.878; 95% CI: 0.838-0.920), 3-4 cups/d (HR = 0.920; 95% CI: 0.869-0.974) may be associated with a reduced risk of HF, while >6 cups/d (HR = 1.209; 95% CI: 1.056-1.385) may be associated with a higher risk of HF. However, sensitive analyses stratified by gender and smoking status indicated that >6 cups/d does not significantly increase the risk of HF. Additionally, the type of coffee was found to significant impact on the incidence of HF (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION In this large cohort of UK adults, moderate coffee consumption may reduce risk of HF incidence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Han
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Jiadong Chu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Siyuan Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Na Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Xuanli Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Qida He
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Zhaolong Feng
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Tongxing Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Yueping Shen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Han Y, Hu H, Huang Z, Liu D. Association between body mass index and reversion to normoglycemia from impaired fasting glucose among Chinese adults: a 5-year cohort study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1111791. [PMID: 37143738 PMCID: PMC10151769 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1111791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Evidence regarding the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and reversion to normoglycemia from prediabetes is still limited. The purpose of our study is to survey the link of BMI on reversion to normoglycemia among patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Methods This study, a retrospective cohort, covered 32 regions and 11 cities in China and collected 258,74 IFG patients who underwent a health check from 2010 to 2016. We investigated the association between baseline BMI and reversion to normoglycemia in patients with IFG using the Cox proportional-hazards regression model. The nonlinear relationship between BMI and reversion to normoglycemia was determined using a Cox proportional hazards regression with cubic spline functions and smooth curve fitting. In addition, we also performed a series of sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses. A competing risk multivariate Cox regression was performed using progression to diabetes as a competing risk for reversal of normoglycemic events. Results After adjusting covariates, the results showed that BMI was negatively related to the probability of reversion to normoglycemia (HR=0.977, 95%CI:0.971-0.984). Compared with participants with normal BMI(<24kg/m2), overweight (BMI:24-28kg/m2) participants with IFG had a 9.9% lower probability of returning to normoglycemia (HR=0.901,95%CI:0.863-0.939), while obese patients (BMI ≥ 28kg/m2) had a 16.9% decreased probability of reverting from IFG to normoglycemia (HR=0.831,95%CI:0.780-0.886). There was also a nonlinear relationship between them, and the inflection point of BMI was 21.7kg/m2. The effect sizes (HR) on the left sides of the inflection point were 0.972(95%CI:0.964-0.980). The competing risks multivariate Cox's regression and sensitivity analysis demonstrated the robustness of our results. Conclusion This study demonstrates a negative and nonlinear relationship between BMI and reversion to normoglycemia in Chinese patients with IFG. Minimizing BMI to 21.7 kg/m2 in patients with IFG through aggressive intervention may significantly increase the probability of returning to normoglycemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong Han
- Department of Emergency, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Haofei Hu
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiqiang Huang
- Department of Emergency, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiqiang Huang, ; Dehong Liu,
| | - Dehong Liu
- Department of Emergency, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiqiang Huang, ; Dehong Liu,
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cao Y, Yu J. Adjusting for unmeasured confounding in survival causal effect using validation data. Comput Stat Data Anal 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.csda.2022.107660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
10
|
Han K, Lumley T, Shepherd BE, Shaw PA. Two-phase analysis and study design for survival models with error-prone exposures. Stat Methods Med Res 2020; 30:962280220978500. [PMID: 33327876 PMCID: PMC8715910 DOI: 10.1177/0962280220978500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Increasingly, medical research is dependent on data collected for non-research purposes, such as electronic health records data. Health records data and other large databases can be prone to measurement error in key exposures, and unadjusted analyses of error-prone data can bias study results. Validating a subset of records is a cost-effective way of gaining information on the error structure, which in turn can be used to adjust analyses for this error and improve inference. We extend the mean score method for the two-phase analysis of discrete-time survival models, which uses the unvalidated covariates as auxiliary variables that act as surrogates for the unobserved true exposures. This method relies on a two-phase sampling design and an estimation approach that preserves the consistency of complete case regression parameter estimates in the validated subset, with increased precision leveraged from the auxiliary data. Furthermore, we develop optimal sampling strategies which minimize the variance of the mean score estimator for a target exposure under a fixed cost constraint. We consider the setting where an internal pilot is necessary for the optimal design so that the phase two sample is split into a pilot and an adaptive optimal sample. Through simulations and data example, we evaluate efficiency gains of the mean score estimator using the derived optimal validation design compared to balanced and simple random sampling for the phase two sample. We also empirically explore efficiency gains that the proposed discrete optimal design can provide for the Cox proportional hazards model in the setting of a continuous-time survival outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyunghee Han
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Thomas Lumley
- Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Bryan E Shepherd
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Pamela A Shaw
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhang X, Stamey JD, Mathur MB. Assessing the impact of unmeasured confounders for credible and reliable real-world evidence. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2020; 29:1219-1227. [PMID: 32929830 DOI: 10.1002/pds.5117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We review statistical methods for assessing the possible impact of bias due to unmeasured confounding in real world data analysis and provide detailed recommendations for choosing among the methods. METHODS By updating an earlier systematic review, we summarize modern statistical best practices for evaluating and correcting for potential bias due to unmeasured confounding in estimating causal treatment effect from non-interventional studies. RESULTS We suggest a hierarchical structure for assessing unmeasured confounding. First, for initial sensitivity analyses, we strongly recommend applying a recently developed method, the E-value, that is straightforward to apply and does not require prior knowledge or assumptions about the unmeasured confounder(s). When some such knowledge is available, the E-value could be supplemented by the rule-out or array method at this step. If these initial analyses suggest results may not be robust to unmeasured confounding, subsequent analyses could be conducted using more specialized statistical methods, which we categorize based on whether they require access to external data on the suspected unmeasured confounder(s), internal data, or no data. Other factors for choosing the subsequent sensitivity analysis methods are also introduced and discussed, including the types of unmeasured confounders and whether the subsequent sensitivity analysis is intended to provide a corrected causal treatment effect. CONCLUSION Various analytical methods have been proposed to address unmeasured confounding, but little research has discussed a structured approach to select appropriate methods in practice. In providing practical suggestions for choosing appropriate initial and, potentially, more specialized subsequent sensitivity analyses, we hope to facilitate the widespread reporting of such sensitivity analyses in non-interventional studies. The suggested approach also has the potential to inform pre-specification of sensitivity analyses before executing the analysis, and therefore increase the transparency and limit selective study reporting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhang
- Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - James D Stamey
- Department of Statistics, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Maya B Mathur
- Quantitative Sciences Unit, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Barrowman MA, Peek N, Lambie M, Martin GP, Sperrin M. How unmeasured confounding in a competing risks setting can affect treatment effect estimates in observational studies. BMC Med Res Methodol 2019; 19:166. [PMID: 31366331 PMCID: PMC6668192 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-019-0808-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Analysis of competing risks is commonly achieved through a cause specific or a subdistribution framework using Cox or Fine & Gray models, respectively. The estimation of treatment effects in observational data is prone to unmeasured confounding which causes bias. There has been limited research into such biases in a competing risks framework. Methods We designed simulations to examine bias in the estimated treatment effect under Cox and Fine & Gray models with unmeasured confounding present. We varied the strength of the unmeasured confounding (i.e. the unmeasured variable’s effect on the probability of treatment and both outcome events) in different scenarios. Results In both the Cox and Fine & Gray models, correlation between the unmeasured confounder and the probability of treatment created biases in the same direction (upward/downward) as the effect of the unmeasured confounder on the event-of-interest. The association between correlation and bias is reversed if the unmeasured confounder affects the competing event. These effects are reversed for the bias on the treatment effect of the competing event and are amplified when there are uneven treatment arms. Conclusion The effect of unmeasured confounding on an event-of-interest or a competing event should not be overlooked in observational studies as strong correlations can lead to bias in treatment effect estimates and therefore cause inaccurate results to lead to false conclusions. This is true for cause specific perspective, but moreso for a subdistribution perspective. This can have ramifications if real-world treatment decisions rely on conclusions from these biased results. Graphical visualisation to aid in understanding the systems involved and potential confounders/events leading to sensitivity analyses that assumes unmeasured confounders exists should be performed to assess the robustness of results. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12874-019-0808-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Niels Peek
- University of Manchester, Vaughan House, Portsmouth Street, Manchester, M13 9GB, UK
| | - Mark Lambie
- Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7QB, UK
| | - Glen Philip Martin
- University of Manchester, Vaughan House, Portsmouth Street, Manchester, M13 9GB, UK
| | - Matthew Sperrin
- University of Manchester, Vaughan House, Portsmouth Street, Manchester, M13 9GB, UK
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Martínez-Camblor P, MacKenzie TA, Staiger DO, Goodney PP, James O’Malley A. An instrumental variable procedure for estimating Cox models with non-proportional hazards in the presence of unmeasured confounding. J R Stat Soc Ser C Appl Stat 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/rssc.12341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Phillip P. Goodney
- Dartmouth College, Hanover, and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; Lebanon USA
| | | |
Collapse
|