Length time bias
Length time bias
Length time bias (pronunciation: /lɛŋkθ taɪm baɪəs/) is a type of bias that can occur in epidemiological studies, particularly in screening programs.
Etymology
The term "length time bias" is derived from the concept that slower progressing diseases are more likely to be detected in a screening program, thus giving the illusion that early detection leads to longer survival times.
Definition
Length time bias refers to the tendency of screening to preferentially detect slower progressing diseases. This is because these diseases are in a detectable preclinical phase for a longer period of time compared to faster progressing diseases. As a result, the survival time after diagnosis appears to be longer, not because the patient's life was extended, but because the disease was identified earlier in its course. This can lead to an overestimation of the benefits of screening.
Related Terms
- Lead time bias: This is another type of bias that can occur in screening programs. It refers to the time between the detection of a disease through screening and its usual clinical presentation. Like length time bias, lead time bias can also lead to an overestimation of survival times.
- Overdiagnosis: This refers to the detection of "diseases" that will never cause symptoms or death during a patient's lifetime. Overdiagnosis can be a consequence of length time bias, as slower progressing diseases are more likely to be overdiagnosed.
- Screening: This is the process of testing for disease when there are no symptoms. Screening can lead to length time bias if it preferentially detects slower progressing diseases.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Length time bias
- Wikipedia's article - Length time bias
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