dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaHow to interpret hazard ratios
| Authors | Jonathan W. Bartlett, Dominic Magirr, Tim P. Morris |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | 2601.09571vv1 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.09571 |
| License | http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/ |
Abstract
The hazard ratio, typically estimated using Cox's famous proportional hazards model, is the most common effect measure used to describe the association or effect of a covariate on a time-to-event outcome. In recent years the hazard ratio has been argued by some to lack a causal interpretation, even in randomised trials, and even if the proportional hazards assumption holds. This is concerning, not least due to the ubiquity of hazard ratios in analyses of time-to-event data. We review these criticisms, describe how we think hazard ratios should be interpreted, and argue that they retain a valid causal interpretation. Nevertheless, alternative measures may be preferable to describe effects of exposures or treatments on time-to-event outcomes.
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"abstract": "The hazard ratio, typically estimated using Cox\u0027s famous proportional hazards model, is the most common effect measure used to describe the association or effect of a covariate on a time-to-event outcome. In recent years the hazard ratio has been argued by some to lack a causal interpretation, even in randomised trials, and even if the proportional hazards assumption holds. This is concerning, not least due to the ubiquity of hazard ratios in analyses of time-to-event data. We review these criticisms, describe how we think hazard ratios should be interpreted, and argue that they retain a valid causal interpretation. Nevertheless, alternative measures may be preferable to describe effects of exposures or treatments on time-to-event outcomes.",
"arxiv_id": "2601.09571",
"authors": [
"Jonathan W. Bartlett",
"Dominic Magirr",
"Tim P. Morris"
],
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"stat.ME"
],
"license": "http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/",
"title": "How to interpret hazard ratios",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.09571",
"version": "v1"
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