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Question 706
Statistics → Epidemiology
Classification
Question
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Relative risk
Question Stem
Which statement best describes relative risk?
Options
A
The ratio of the risk in subjects with a characteristic to the risk in subjects without it
B
The difference between disease prevalence and incidence
C
The probability that a positive test represents disease
D
The proportion of unaffected subjects with a negative test
E
The probability that an observed result occurred by chance
Explanation
Relative risk compares the risk of an outcome in subjects with a specified characteristic with the risk in subjects without that characteristic.
Option Validity
B) relative risk is a ratio of risks, not a difference between prevalence and incidence.
C) this describes positive predictive value.
D) this describes specificity.
E) this relates to probability rather than relative risk.
Further Reading
Review the definition and interpretation of relative risk.