title: Maximum (Max) and Mid-P confidence intervals and p values for the standardized mortality and incidence ratios.
abstract: The authors present algorithms to compute the confidence interval for a Poisson parameter (lambda) and the p value for testing the hypothesis that lambda is equal to a constant, which can be used to make inferences about the standardized mortality ratio and the standardized incidence ratio. The p value and confidence interval always agree, despite the discrete nature of the Poisson distribution. The authors also give simple equations to compute numeric approximations of the confidence limits that do not require the use of any probability distributions. An example based on data arising from a study of cancer incidence is given.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of South Alabama, Mobile 36688-0002, USA.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Tripathi
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Michalek
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009026:Mortality; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D011336:Probability; D015203:Reproducibility of Results