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Non-Linear Risk Curves

Meaning

Non-Linear Risk Curves describe the relationship between a health-related variable, such as a hormone concentration or a lifestyle factor, and a clinical outcome, such as mortality or disease incidence, where the risk does not increase or decrease proportionally. These curves are often classically U-shaped or J-shaped, indicating that both excessively low and excessively high levels of the variable are associated with a significant elevation in risk, while an optimal, protective range exists in the middle. Clinically, recognizing these non-linear relationships is essential for defining precise therapeutic targets and avoiding the unintended adverse consequences of over-treatment or under-treatment.