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Public Health: 2x2 Table & Formulas

The 2x2 Table

  • By convention, this is what a 2x2 table looks like. 
    • Be sure to label the table correctly with exposure status on the side and disease status across the top.
  • One tip I found was just draw some of these out as soon as you get your scratch paper. 
  • You may or may not need the totals depending on what you are trying to measure. 
  • Just remember to think carefully about what the question is asking. Also, don’t let a change in terms throw you. For instance, instead of sick and well, you might see died and lived.

FORMULAS:

  • OR = (A/B) / (C/D)
  • RR = (A / (A+B)) / (C / (C+D))
  • Experimental Event Rate (EER) = a/a+b
  • Control Event Rate (CER) = c/c+d
  • Relative Risk Reduction (RRR) = CER-EER/CER
  • Absolute Risk Reduction (ARR) = CER-EER
  • Absolute Risk Increase (EER-CER)
  • Number Needed to Treat (NNT) = 1/ARR
  • Number Needed to Harm (NNH) = 1/ARI

MEDCALC Statistical Calculator 

Calculating RR by Dr. Shaneyfelt

Calculating OR by Dr Shaneyfelt


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