Recycling of predictors used to estimate glomerular filtration rate: Insight into lateral collinearity.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:One overlooked problem in statistical analysis is lateral collinearity, a phenomenon that may occur when the outcome variable derives from the predictors. In nephrology this issue is seen with the use of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as an outcome and age, sex, and ethnicity as predictors. In this study with simulated data, we aim to illustrate this problem. METHODS:We randomly generated unrelated data to estimate eGFR by common equations. RESULTS:Using simulated data, we show that age, gender, and ethnicity (recycled predictors variables) are statistically significantly correlated with eGFR in linear regression analysis. Whereas the initial obvious conclusion is that age, sex, and ethnicity are strong predictors of eGFR, more rigorous interpretation suggests that

SUBMITTER: de Andrade LGM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7012427 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature