The Lifetime Fractional Ratio (LFR) is a specific metric used in risk assessment to compare attributable risk against baseline risk over a lifetime.
Understanding the Lifetime Fractional Ratio (LFR)
Based on the provided definition, the Lifetime fractional ratio (LFR) is calculated as the ratio of LAR to LBR (expressed as a percentage). This ratio was developed to effectively show how much of the total risk can be attributed to a specific factor when compared to the risk that is naturally present or expected over a lifetime.
Key Components of the LFR
The LFR relies on two primary components:
- LAR (Lifetime Attributable Risk): This figure represents the additional risk that a person accumulates over their lifetime due to a specific exposure or factor being studied.
- LBR (Lifetime Baseline Risk): This represents the risk that a person faces over their lifetime in the absence of the specific factor being studied; it's the normal, expected risk.
Purpose of the LFR
By expressing the ratio of LAR to LBR (%), the LFR provides a standardized way to understand the relative impact of a specific factor on lifetime risk. It helps researchers and analysts quantify how significant the attributable risk is when benchmarked against the inherent baseline risk.
For example, if an LFR is calculated to be 10%, it suggests that the attributable risk (LAR) is 10% of the baseline risk (LBR) over a lifetime.
