Analytical Implications of Epidemiological Concepts of Interaction

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Abstract
Pearce N (Department of Community Health, Wellington School of Medicine, PO Box 7343, Wellington, New Zealand). Analytical implications of epidemiological concepts of interaction. International Journal of Epidemiology 1989; 18: 976–980. In contrast to definitions based on statistical or biological concepts, Rothman has adopted an unambiguous epidemiological definition of interaction in which two factors are not ‘independent’ if they are component causes in the same sufficient cause. This leads to the adoption of additivity of incidence rates as the state of ‘no interaction’. However, there are other considerations which generally favour the use of multiplicative models. This implies an apparent dilemma as to how an analysis can be conducted which combines the advantages of ratio measures of effect with the assessment of independence in terms of a departure from additivity. These apparently contradictory goals can be reconciled through the analysis of separate and joint effects. This approach is discussed with reference to studies of asbestos exposure, cigarette smoking and lung cancer.

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