Nonparametric analysis of dose-response relationships.
A nonparametric method, isotonic regression, is proposed for analyzing a dose-response relationship and for assessing a threshold value. There are several advantages of this method compared to parametric models. No specific form of the relationship (type of model and use of the covariates) is required. The only assumption is monotonicity. Rejection of specific hypothesis can be based on the result of a permutation test. Several applications (para-aramid, crystalline silica, and PNOC) are presented. In these examples the dose-response relationships are analyzed. Where a relationship is present the existence of a threshold is investigated.
Ulm
K
K
Institut für Medizinische Statistik und Epidemiologie, Technische Universität München, Germany. kurt.ulm@imse.med.tu-muenchen.de
D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004782:Environmental Health; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000009:adverse effects*
D015262:Xenobiotics