Understanding Association and Causation in Epidemiology and Philosophy
This article explores the nuanced concepts of association and causation as they relate to epidemiology and philosophical perspectives. It discusses the measures of association such as Relative Risk (RR), Risk Difference (RD), and Odds Ratio (OR), while examining the complexities of causation through various criteria, including temporality, strength, and specificity. Additionally, it draws connections to scripture, particularly the Bhagavad Gita, to illustrate the multifactorial nature of causation in life and action.
Understanding Association and Causation in Epidemiology and Philosophy
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Presentation Transcript
Association • Ms Ashvarya Rai is associated with Mr Bacchan • In Epidemiology association refers to a link between 2 or more factors • Measures of Association: Relative Risk or Risk Ratio RR Risk Difference ( Attributable Risk) RD Odds Ratio OR ( show Apple)
Causation • Question- Egg or Hen first? • Temporality- Cause precede effect • Strength of Association • Dose response • Specificity • Biological Plausability • Consistency • Experimental Evidence
Causes in ScriptureBhagwat Geeta • Panchaitaani mahaabaaho kaaranaani nibodha me; • Saankhye kritaante proktaani siddhaye sarvakarmanaam. • Learn from Me, O mighty-armed Arjuna, these five causes, as declared in the Sankhya system for the accomplishment of all actions! • Adhishthaanam tathaa kartaa karanam cha prithagvidham; • Vividhaashcha prithakcheshtaa daivam chaivaatra panchamam. • The body, the doer, the various senses, the different functions of various sorts, and the presiding Deity, also, the fifth, • Shareeravaangmanobhiryat karma praarabhate narah; • Nyaayyam vaa vipareetam vaa panchaite tasya hetavah. Whatever action a man performs by his body, speech and mind, whether right or the reverse, these five are its causes. Chapter 18; Slokes 13,14,15
Causality • Always a constellation of component causes • Nothing is caused by a single cause • Sufficient cause: A set of minimal conditions or events needed to cause the onset of disease • Rothman’s Causal Pie model
Confounding • Confundere (Latin)- to confuse ( Bible) • It is a mixing of effects due to a third factor in the study – Pati, patni & vo draw • A factor is a confounder if: • Associated with exposure in nondiseased • Associated with disease in unexposed( prior knowledge) • Not an intermediate in pathways • Not a surrogate for an exposure
