Summary
The robust Poisson method is becoming increasingly popular when estimating the association of exposures with a binary outcome. Unlike the logistic regression model, the robust Poisson method yields results that can be interpreted as risk or prevalence ratios. In addition, it does not suffer from frequent nonconvergence problems such as the most common implementations of maximum likelihood estimators of the log-binomial model. However, using a Poisson distribution to model a binary outcome may seem counterintuitive. Methodologic papers have often presented this as a good approximation to the more natural binomial distribution. In this article, we provide an alternative perspective to the robust Poisson method based on the semiparametric theory. This perspective highlights that the robust Poisson method does not require assuming a Poisson distribution for the outcome. In fact, the method only assumes a log-linear relation between the risk or prevalence of the outcome and the explanatory variables. This assumption and the consequences of its violation are discussed. We also provide suggestions to reduce the risk of violating the modeling assumption. Additionally, we discuss and contrast the robust Poisson method with other approaches for estimating exposure risk or prevalence ratios. See video abstract at, http://links.lww.com/EDE/B987.
Outcomes reported
Referenced by Lancet Public Health FOPL RCT as citation 26; likely supports topic area: front-of-package labelling / warning labels. Topics: front-of-package labelling / warning labels Evidence type: Research article / other Source report: Lancet Public Health FOPL RCT Ref#: Lancet Public Health FOPL RCT #26 Original: Talbot D, Mésidor M, Chiu Y, Simard M, Sirois C. An alternative perspective on the robust Poisson method for estimating risk or prevalence ratios. Epidemiology 2023; 34: 1-7.
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