Estimating uncertainty in observational studies of associations between continuous variables: example of methylmercury and neuropsychological testing in children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We suggest that the need to account for systematic error may explain the apparent lack of agreement among studies of maternal dietary methylmercury exposure and neuropsychological testing outcomes in children, a topic of ongoing debate.

Methods

These sensitivity analyses address the possible role of systematic error on reported associations between low-level prenatal exposure to methylmercury and neuropsychological test results in two well known, but apparently conflicting cohort studies: the Faroe Islands Study (FIS) and the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS). We estimated the potential impact of confounding, selection bias, and information bias on reported results in these studies using the Boston Naming Test (BNT) score as the outcome variable.

Result

SUBMITTER: Goodman M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2137924 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature