Confounder

Definitions

1. A person who confounds.
2. A factor, in data analysis, that causes the effects of two distinct processes to be indistinguishable; a confounding variable.

Equivalents

Examples

“There is increasing evidence that cannabis use⟳ can act as a risk⟳ factor for the development of bipolar as well as psychotic disorders. A recent systematic review⟳ by Gibbs and colleagues identified several studies supporting a link⟳ between cannabis use⟳ and subsequent relapse of manic symptoms. This review⟳ also included a meta-analysis of two large prospective cohort studies, which found that cannabis use⟳ almost trebled the risk⟳ of new-onset subthreshold manic symptoms after adjusting for potential confounding factors. A further large prospective cohort study⟳ found cannabis use⟳ increased the risk⟳ of first episode bipolar by a factor of 5 after adjusting for confounders, and demonstrated evidence of a dose–response relationship.”

CEFR level