Younger age predicted greater colposcopy consent comprehension (b=-0.06, p=.003)

Description #

In the adjusted multivariate model, younger age independently predicted greater colposcopy comprehension (β = −0.06; 95% CI −0.10 to −0.02; p = .003) (Table 3) — each category increase in age (above the youngest reference category) was associated with a 0.06-point lower summary knowledge score.

"We also found that younger age (β = −0.06; p = .003) … were associated with increased comprehension of informed consent." (Krankl, 2011, p. 83)

"Age −0.06 −0.10 to −0.02 .003" (Krankl, 2011, p. 84)

Methods Context #

What? #ⓘ

The observable: the adjusted effect of patient age category on the summary colposcopy knowledge score.

"Age −0.06 −0.10 to −0.02 .003" (Krankl, 2011, p. 84)

How? #ⓘ

Robust multivariate linear regression; age retained as a confounder (p < .05), estimated as change in mean score per category above the youngest reference category.

"Reference categories were speaking Spanish, lowest education category, youngest age category, fewest years in the United States, and private health insurance." (Krankl, 2011, p. 84)

Who? #ⓘ

The 149 complete-data colposcopy patients (mean age ≈ 30 years in both language groups) at two Boston hospitals.

"Average age (years ± SD) 30.1 ± 10.2 31.1 ± 8.9 .8" (Krankl, 2011, p. 83)

Caveats #

• Exploratory analysis with no adjustment for multiple comparisons The analysis was exploratory and the type I error was not adjusted for multiple comparisons, so the many reported p-values should be interpreted cautiously and some significant associations may be chance findings. The authors argue the number of significant associations exceeds what chance alone would produce, but the secondary adjusted predictors (age, years in the US, insurance) in particular should be read as hypothesis-generating rather than confirmatory.