A New Estrogen Receptor Agonist Is Being Evaluated for the Treatment

question 17

Multiple Choice

A new estrogen receptor agonist is being evaluated for the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms.  A prospective study shows that the drug increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in treated women who smoke compared to untreated women who smoke, with a relative risk (RR) of 1.70 and p-value of 0.01.  In nonsmokers, no increased risk of DVT is evident with use of the drug (RR = 0.96; p-value = 0.68) .  Which of the following describes this phenomenon?

• A)Confounding
• B)Effect modification
• C)Latent period
• D)Observer bias
• E)Selection bias

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Definitions:

Single Reagent

A specific chemical substance used alone in a reaction to achieve a particular synthesis or transformation.

Ylide

A compound containing a positively charged atom directly bonded to a negatively charged atom, except oxygen or a halogen.

Carbanion

An ion that contains a negatively charged carbon atom, typically highly reactive in organic chemistry.

Carbocation

A species characterized by a carbon atom bearing a positive charge and three bonds instead of the usual four, making it highly reactive in organic reactions.