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On the proper use of linear regression: Basic conceptualization through an example applied to health sciences

Abstract:

Linear regression is one of the most widespread statistical techniques and with greater possibilities of application in di-verse contexts; from technical, practical or engineering sce-narios; to situations related to social, behavioral and health sciences. Regression equations make possible to interpret phenomena by the parsimonious modeling of reality, becom-ing an important tool of help for academics, researchers or professionals. The aim of this review is to provide a theoreti-cal-practical guide on the basic aspects of linear regression, emphasizing the development of the ordinary least squares method to obtain the regression estimators, presenting the formulas required for this and using an example related to medicine to illustrate the procedure. The mathematical level is relatively basic, although some knowledge of statistics and matrix algebra will be required. The analyzed case revolves around the study on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome from the city of Maracaibo, Venezuela. Insulin resistance measured by HOMA-2 is used as a dependent variable, and age, body mass index and triglyceride-cholesterol ratio as pbkp_redictor variables. The solution to the problem is also offered by using the R-Studio program.