Tightrope Walking: Using Predictors of 25(OH)D Concentration Based on Multivariable Linear Regression to Infer Associations with Health Risks.

ABSTRACT: The debate on the causal association between vitamin D status, measured as serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), and various health outcomes warrants investigation in large-scale health surveys. Measuring the 25(OH)D concentration for each participant is not always feasible, because of the logistics of blood collection and the costs of vitamin D testing. To address this problem, past research has used predicted 25(OH)D concentration, based on multivariable linear regression, as a proxy for unmeasured vitamin D status. We restate this approach in a mathematical framework, to deduce its possible pitfalls. Monte Carlo simulation and real data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-06 are used to confirm the deductions. The results indicate that variable

SUBMITTER: Ding N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4445919 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature