hazard ratio


hazard ratio

(haz′ărd),

HR

1. In biostatistics, the calculated likelihood that a particular intervention will make a study outcome more or less likely to occur. A hazard ratio of 1.0 indicates that the variable has no impact on the outcome. A hazard ratio of less than 1.0 indicates that the variable decreases the likelihood of the outcome. A ratio exceeding 1.0 indicates that the variable increases the likelihood of the outcome. A ratio of 2.0 suggests that the variable doubles the likelihood of the outcome. A ratio of 0.5 suggests that it halves the risk of the outcome. 2. The likelihood that a group of people who are exposed to an event, toxin, or treatment will experience poor health, relative to a group of people who are not similarly exposed.