RE: Tooth Loss May Increase Your Risk of Dementia by Up to 80%

You are viewing a single comment's thread from:

Tooth Loss May Increase Your Risk of Dementia by Up to 80%

in medicine •  8 years ago 

I appreciated seeing the p-values but unfortunately they completely invalidate the study in my opinion. A p-value of 0.08 is not statistically significant. The highest p-value I have seen considered statistically significant is 0.05. I personally prefer 0.01. That is influenced by having to prove statistical tests while working on my math degree in college and realizing they are based on multiple layers of assumptions.

You also have to keep in mind that statistical tests say nothing about causation, but can only reveal a probability of correlation. The article seems to imply that losing your teeth is a precursor to dimentia (With a p-value of 0.2 I reject the correlation altogether). However, what if it was some change in body chemistry that would later lead to dimentia that caused tooth loss?

Authors get paid when people like you upvote their post.
If you enjoyed what you read here, create your account today and start earning FREE STEEM!