结构方程模型方法在流行病学研究中的应用

The application of structural equation model approach in epidemiological research

目的论述结构方程模型(SEM)方法在流行病学研究中的应用。方法简述SEM的主要构成、统计假设和目前常用的软件及这一方法如何在流行病学研究中应用和对应用中的有关问题的处理。结果相对于传统的流行病学方法,SEM是一种综合思维方法,不仅分析因素和疾病之间的关系,也分析因素和因素之间的关系;同样是一种验证性的方法,对于有些复杂问题的流行病学研究,特别是以理论为依据的研究颇为重要;SEM分析能够得到潜在变量的有关参数,并对表述潜在变量的显变量的测量误差做出估计。结论SEM能够应用于流行病学的研究,且具有较传统流行病学分析方法无法比拟的优势。

Objective To discuss application of structural equation model(SEM) approach in epidemiological research. Methods A brief overview on major components of SEM,statistical assumptions underlying the use of SEM,and current software available to users and how SEM can be used were discussed through a practical epidemiological research project. Results Advantages of SEM comparing with conventional epidemiological approach were shown. SEM,having the nature of comprehensive thinking and analytic approach,not only exploring the association between factors and diseases but also among factors. It also served a confirmatory,rather than exploratory approach on data modeling,as well as having the capability of correcting estimates by separating measurement error from the equations,to provide modeling the latent variables. Conclusion SEM approach could be used in epidemiological research as having some advantages comparing with conventional epidemiological approaches.