Standardized risk and description of results from multivariable modeling of a binary response

Descriptions of significant associations found from a logistic regression analysis typically are based on adjusted odds ratios. Unfortunately, odds ratios provide no information about the prevalence of response. In this paper, we justify and recommend using standardized risks, i.e., standardized probabilities, which do provide information about prevalence, in addition to adjusted odds ratios, for pairwise comparisons of the levels of a significant factor. We illustrate the advantages of generally reporting standardized risk estimates, in the context of assessing the effect of blood lead levels during the preschool years on occurrence of academic problems in kindergarten. Results are more meaningfully interpreted when accompanied by standardized risk estimates.