Interaction fallacy

J Clin Epidemiol. 1997 Jul;50(7):809-12. doi: 10.1016/s0895-4356(97)00053-x.

Abstract

We define interaction fallacy as the situation in which heterogeneity of odds ratios suggests an interaction that does actually not exist among the corresponding risk ratios. We provide a hypothetical example of interaction fallacy between the presence of the germ-line BRCA1 mutation, age at first live birth, and breast cancer risk based on data from the literature. More generally, we present a set of hypothetical conditions under which interaction fallacy may occur.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bias
  • Breast Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic
  • Female
  • Genes, BRCA1
  • Germ-Line Mutation
  • Humans
  • Maternal Age
  • Odds Ratio*
  • Risk