What is the relative risk of death for depressed vs non-depressed?

What is the relative risk of death for depressed vs non-depressed?

• A. 2.75
• B. 0.62
• C. 1.03
• D. 1.57

Answer: (D)

Relative risk compares the probability of death between two groups: those who are depressed and those who are not. It is the death rate in the depressed group divided by the death rate in the non-depressed group. A value above 1 means the depressed group has a higher risk; below 1 would mean a lower risk; a value of 1 means no difference. A relative risk of 1.57 means the death risk is 57% higher for depressed individuals compared with non-depressed individuals. For example, if the non-depressed death risk is 4%, the depressed group would have about 6.28% risk (0.04 × 1.57). The other numbers reflect different magnitudes of difference: a much larger increase, a decrease, or only a tiny difference.

Relative risk compares the probability of death between two groups: those who are depressed and those who are not. It is the death rate in the depressed group divided by the death rate in the non-depressed group. A value above 1 means the depressed group has a higher risk; below 1 would mean a lower risk; a value of 1 means no difference. A relative risk of 1.57 means the death risk is 57% higher for depressed individuals compared with non-depressed individuals. For example, if the non-depressed death risk is 4%, the depressed group would have about 6.28% risk (0.04 × 1.57). The other numbers reflect different magnitudes of difference: a much larger increase, a decrease, or only a tiny difference.