Tightrope walking: Using predictors of 25 (OH)D concentration based on multivariable linear regression to infer associations with health risks

Ning DING, Keith Dear, Shuyu Guo, Fan Xiang, Robyn Lucas

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    42 Downloads (Pure)

    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 variables that are used in the prediction model (for 25[OH]D concentration) but not in the model for the health outcome (called instrumental variables), play an essential role in the identification of an effect. Such variables should be unrelated to the health outcome other than through Vitamin D; otherwise the estimate of interest will be biased. The approach of predicted 25 (OH)D concentration derived from multivariable linear regression may be valid. However, careful verification that the instrumental variables are unrelated to the health outcome is required.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article numbere0125551
    Pages (from-to)1-13
    Number of pages13
    JournalPLoS One
    Volume10
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2015

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Tightrope walking: Using predictors of 25 (OH)D concentration based on multivariable linear regression to infer associations with health risks'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this