title: Test of homogeneity of binary data with explanatory variables.
abstract: Apparent heterogeneity of the risk of a disease in different groups may be explained by subject-specific risk factors unequally distributed in these groups. We propose a score test of homogeneity that allows adjustment for known risk factors of the disease. The test is based on a random-effect logistic regression model and requires only simple computations in addition to a conventional logistic regression method. The score test is applied to the study of geographical heterogeneity of cognitive impairment in elderly using a sample of 3,318 subjects scattered in 75 parishes. It is shown that an apparent heterogeneity disappears when taking into account subject-specific risk factors. This test may also be useful for studying familial aggregation of a disease.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U.330, Université de Bordeaux II, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Commenges
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Letenneur
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jacqmin
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moreau
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Dartigues
mesh_terms: D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011897:Random Allocation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors