Abstract

Weak instrument bias is of practical importance for the design and analysis of Mendelian randomization studies. Post hoc choice of instruments, genetic models or data based on measured F-statistics can exacerbate bias. In particular, the commonly cited rule of thumb that F > 10 avoids bias in IV analysis is misleading.

Keywords

Mendelian randomizationObservational studyPoolingStatisticsStatisticCovariateEconometricsType I and type II errorsInstrumental variableStandard errorConfoundingOutcome (game theory)Causal inferenceMathematicsGeneticsComputer scienceGenetic variantsBiology

MeSH Terms

BiasConfounding FactorsEpidemiologicData InterpretationStatisticalFemaleGenetic Predisposition to DiseaseGenetic VariationGenotypeHumansMaleMendelian Randomization AnalysisRandom AllocationSensitivity and Specificity

Affiliated Institutions

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Publication Info

Year
2011
Type
review
Volume
40
Issue
3
Pages
755-764
Citations
3803
Access
Closed

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Citation Metrics

3803
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157
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3265
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Cite This

Stephen Burgess, Simon G. Thompson (2011). Avoiding bias from weak instruments in Mendelian randomization studies. International Journal of Epidemiology , 40 (3) , 755-764. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyr036

Identifiers

DOI
10.1093/ije/dyr036
PMID
21414999

Data Quality

Data completeness: 86%