[Cluster analysis applied in the epidemiological stratification analysis].
OBJECTIVE: To establish a new method on stratification analysis when the stratification limits of confounding factors was not clear or contradictory. METHOD: Data on a study of diabetes mellitus in Guangdong province collected in the year of 1997 and 1998 was analyzed using cluster-stratification analysis. RESULTS: The efficiency of stratification analysis was improved and the confounding bias was effectively controlled with information bias avoided when the clusters-stratification analysis was applied. CONCLUSION: The problem was logically solved using cluster analysis as an assistant stratification means.
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