title: Assessment of cumulative evidence on genetic associations: interim guidelines.
abstract: Established guidelines for causal inference in epidemiological studies may be inappropriate for genetic associations. A consensus process was used to develop guidance criteria for assessing cumulative epidemiologic evidence in genetic associations. A proposed semi-quantitative index assigns three levels for the amount of evidence, extent of replication, and protection from bias, and also generates a composite assessment of 'strong', 'moderate' or 'weak' epidemiological credibility. In addition, we discuss how additional input and guidance can be derived from biological data. Future empirical research and consensus development are needed to develop an integrated model for combining epidemiological and biological evidence in the rapidly evolving field of investigation of genetic factors.
authors: Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology Unit, University of Ioannina School of Medicine, Ioannina 45110, Greece. jioannid@cc.uoi.gr
authors: John P A
authors: JP
authors: Ioannidis
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Boffetta
authors: Julian
authors: J
authors: Little
authors: Thomas R
authors: TR
authors: O'Brien
authors: Andre G
authors: AG
authors: Uitterlinden
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Vineis
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Balding
authors: Anand
authors: A
authors: Chokkalingam
authors: Siobhan M
authors: SM
authors: Dolan
authors: W Dana
authors: WD
authors: Flanders
authors: Julian P T
authors: JP
authors: Higgins
authors: Mark I
authors: MI
authors: McCarthy
authors: David H
authors: DH
authors: McDermott
authors: Grier P
authors: GP
authors: Page
authors: Timothy R
authors: TR
authors: Rebbeck
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Seminara
authors: Muin J
authors: MJ
authors: Khoury
mesh_terms: D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D018740:Genetic Heterogeneity; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity