PH 210: Epidemiology for Public Health Practice

Dr. Grosskopf
Post-Class Activity: Measures of Comparison ANSWERS

1. A.
Bladder Cancer
Yes No Total
Smoking a b a+
b
Yes 50 350
400

c d c+ d
No
10 590 600

Total 60 940 1000

B.1. Risk ratio (RR)

2. RR= Cum Inc exposed / Cum Inc unexposed = a/(a+b) / c/(c+d)

3. RR= (50/400) / (10/600) = 7.5

4. Smokers are 7.5 times more likely to develop bladder cancer than non-smokers.

C.1. Risk Difference (RD)

2. RD= CI exposed - CI unexposed

3. RD= 50/400 - 10/600 = .1083 or 10.83%

4. The excess occurrence of bladder cancer cases among smokers is 10.83%. Or, if
smoking causes bladder cancer, then 10.83% of bladder cancer cases among smokers would
be eliminated if smoking were eliminated.

D. 1. Population Risk Difference (PRD)

2. PRD= CI total - CI unexposed or PRD = (RD) x (P exposed)

3. PRD= 60/1,000 - 10/600 = .0433 or 4.33% or PRD = (.1083) x (.40) = .0433 or 4.33%

4. The excess occurrence of bladder cancer cases among the total island population is
4.33%. Or, if smoking causes bladder cancer, then 4.33% of bladder cancer cases among the
total population would be eliminated if smoking were eliminated.

5. It is generally smaller because usually less than 100% of the total population is exposed.