Using variable importance measures from causal inference to rank risk factors of schistosomiasis infection in a rural setting in China.

Epidemiologic Perspectives & Innovations : EP+I
Sylvia Ek SudatAlan E Hubbard

Abstract

Schistosomiasis infection, contracted through contact with contaminated water, is a global public health concern. In this paper we analyze data from a retrospective study reporting water contact and schistosomiasis infection status among 1011 individuals in rural China. We present semi-parametric methods for identifying risk factors through a comparison of three analysis approaches: a prediction-focused machine learning algorithm, a simple main-effects multivariable regression, and a semi-parametric variable importance (VI) estimate inspired by a causal population intervention parameter. The multivariable regression found only tool washing to be associated with the outcome, with a relative risk of 1.03 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.01-1.05. Three types of water contact were found to be associated with the outcome in the semi-parametric VI analysis: July water contact (VI estimate 0.16, 95% CI 0.11-0.22), water contact from tool washing (VI estimate 0.88, 95% CI 0.80-0.97), and water contact from rice planting (VI estimate 0.71, 95% CI 0.53-0.96). The July VI result, in particular, indicated a strong association with infection status - its causal interpretation implies that eliminating water contact in July would reduc...Continue Reading

References

Oct 22, 1987·The New England Journal of Medicine·R D Mosteller
Aug 24, 2000·Epidemiology·J M RobinsB Brumback
Apr 19, 2002·The New England Journal of Medicine·Allen G P RossDonald P McManus
Jul 15, 2005·American Journal of Epidemiology·Kathleen M MortimerIra B Tager
May 2, 2006·Statistical Applications in Genetics and Molecular Biology·Sandra E Sinisi, Mark J van der Laan
Aug 23, 2006·Infection and Immunity·Tjalling LeenstraJennifer F Friedman
Apr 4, 2007·Statistical Applications in Genetics and Molecular Biology·Sandra E SinisiMark J van der Laan
Apr 18, 2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Song LiangRobert C Spear
Jun 7, 2007·Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH·Barbara MatthysJürg Utzinger
Oct 25, 2007·Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH·Edmund Y W SetoBo Zhong
Dec 1, 2007·Epidemiology·Nancy L FleischerAlan E Hubbard
Jul 17, 2008·Biometrika·Alan E Hubbard, Mark J VAN DER Laan
Aug 7, 2008·American Journal of Epidemiology·Stephen R Cole, Miguel A Hernán
Nov 19, 2008·PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases·Yuen Wai Hung, Justin Remais
Jan 13, 2010·The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·Michelle S HsiangRobert C Spear
Jun 12, 2010·Epidemiology·S V Subramanian, A James O'Malley
Dec 7, 2011·The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·Francis M MutukuUriel Kitron

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Aug 26, 2014·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Jorge BacallaoMarcos A Espinal
Feb 20, 2016·Health Services Research·Sherri Rose
Jul 15, 2015·Environmental Science & Technology·Nicholas B DeFeliceJacqueline MacDonald Gibson
Feb 1, 2013·American Journal of Epidemiology·Sherri Rose
Jan 14, 2021·American Journal of Epidemiology·Andrea G BuchwaldElizabeth J Carlton

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
PCR

Software Mentioned

Stata
POLYCLASS
rpart
R function rpart

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.