This special feature sets forth the basic skills pharmacists need to evaluate the primary literature with regard to epidemiological risk. The author discusses (1) the three key types of observational study designs used in epidemiological literature; (2) common measures of association and and their utility; (3) calculation of attributable risk, relative risk, and odds ratio; (4) the limitations of using relative risk and odds ratio; and (5) inappropriate use of risk in the primary literature.
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