Recommendations on statistical approaches to account for dose uncertainties in radiation epidemiologic risk models Review


Authors: Bellamy, M. B.; Bernstein, J. L.; Cullings, H. M.; French, B.; Grogan, H. A.; Held, K. D.; Little, M. P.; Tekwe, C. D.
Review Title: Recommendations on statistical approaches to account for dose uncertainties in radiation epidemiologic risk models
Abstract: PurposeEpidemiological studies of stochastic radiation health effects such as cancer, meant to estimate risks of the adverse effects as a function of radiation dose, depend largely on estimates of the radiation doses received by the exposed group under study. Those estimates are based on dosimetry that always has uncertainty, which often can be quite substantial. Studies that do not incorporate statistical methods to correct for dosimetric uncertainty may produce biased estimates of risk and incorrect confidence bounds on those estimates. This paper reviews commonly used statistical methods to correct radiation risk regressions for dosimetric uncertainty, with emphasis on some newer methods. We begin by describing the types of dose uncertainty that may occur, including those in which an uncertain value is shared by part or all of a cohort, and then demonstrate how these sources of uncertainty arise in radiation dosimetry. We briefly describe the effects of different types of dosimetric uncertainty on risk estimates, followed by a description of each method of adjusting for the uncertainty.ConclusionsEach of the method has strengths and weaknesses, and some methods have limited applicability. We describe the types of uncertainty to which each method can be applied and its pros and cons. Finally, we provide summary recommendations and touch briefly on suggestions for further research.
Keywords: cancer incidence; measurement error; lung-cancer; regression; variables; atomic-bomb survivors; solid cancer; life-span; uncertainties; mortality risk; dosimetric; berkson error; dose error; classical error
Journal Title: International Journal of Radiation Biology
Volume: 100
Issue: 10
ISSN: 0955-3002
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group Ltd.  
Date Published: 2024-01-01
Start Page: 1393
End Page: 1404
Language: English
ACCESSION: WOS:001276971900001
DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2024.2381482
PROVIDER: wos
PMCID: PMC11421978
PUBMED: 39058334
Notes: Source: Wos
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  1. Jonine L Bernstein
    142 Bernstein
  2. Michael B. Bellamy
    16 Bellamy