What statistical test should be applied to a cross-sectional study to find the independent association between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and preterm birth?

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From the Research

Logistic regression is the most appropriate statistical test to find the independent association between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and preterm birth in a cross-sectional study. This statistical method allows researchers to examine the relationship between a dependent variable (ADHD) and multiple independent variables simultaneously, while controlling for potential confounding factors, as seen in a study published in 2020 1. In this case, logistic regression would enable investigators to determine if preterm birth is independently associated with ADHD after adjusting for other variables that might influence this relationship, such as socioeconomic status, maternal health conditions, or birth complications.

Key Considerations

  • Unlike chi-square tests (which examine associations between categorical variables without controlling for confounders) or t-tests (which compare means between two groups), logistic regression provides a more comprehensive analysis by quantifying the strength and direction of the relationship while accounting for multiple factors that could affect the outcome.
  • A study published in 2022 2 used Cox proportional hazards models to investigate the association between preterm birth and ADHD, and found that preterm birth was associated with an increased risk of ADHD.
  • Another study published in 2011 3 used logistic regression to examine the effect of preterm birth on the risk of ADHD, and found that preterm birth was associated with an increased risk of ADHD.

Recommendations

  • Logistic regression should be used to analyze the relationship between ADHD and preterm birth, as it allows for the control of confounding variables and provides a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the two variables.
  • Researchers should consider adjusting for potential confounding factors, such as socioeconomic status, maternal health conditions, or birth complications, when examining the relationship between ADHD and preterm birth.
  • The use of logistic regression can help to identify independent associations between ADHD and preterm birth, which can inform the development of targeted interventions to reduce the risk of ADHD in children born preterm.

References

1
Research

Association of maternal attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and preterm birth: a cohort study.

BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 2020

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