From: Gout. Hyperuricemia and cardiovascular disease: how strong is the evidence for a causal link?
Consideration | Explanation |
---|---|
Strength | Strong associations are intuitively considered more compelling. However, weak associations do not rule out causation. |
Consistency | The association is found in different experiments, with different populations, and with varied circumstances. |
Specificity | The most controversial consideration. A cause leading to a single effect (and vice versa) offers more support for the causation argument than one cause leading to multiple effects (and vice versa). |
Temporality | The cause must happen before the effect. |
Biologic gradient | A dose–response pattern is present, or incremental amounts of exposure should lead to corresponding increments in the effect. |
Plausibility | The proposed association seems reasonable or probable as a cause. Most subjective consideration. |
Coherence | A causative effect is not in conflict with current knowledge about the pathophysiology of the disease. |
Experimental evidence | The effect can be reduced or altered by reducing or eliminating the proposed cause. |
Analogy | Alternative explanations for the causative effect are evaluated and considered less likely than the one proposed. |