[Cluster analysis applied in the epidemiological stratification analysis].
OBJECTIVE
To establish a new method on stratification analysis when the stratification limits of confounding factors was not clear or contradictory.


METHODS
Data on a study of diabetes mellitus in Guangdong province collected in the year of 1997 and 1998 was analyzed using cluster-stratification analysis.


RESULTS
The efficiency of stratification analysis was improved and the confounding bias was effectively controlled with information bias avoided when the clusters-stratification analysis was applied.


CONCLUSIONS
The problem was logically solved using cluster analysis as an assistant stratification means.
Zhang
Ji-kai
JK
Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510300, China.
Hu
Yi-ling
YL
Hu
Chao-feng
CF
Luo
Yao-xing
YX
Lin
Wei-sheng
WS
Wu
Chi-peng
CP
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015982:Bias; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors