Causal mechanism for atherosclerosis or coronary heart disease in women: a constellation of components.

摘要

"[...] No specific event, condition, or characteristic is sufficient by itself to produce disease", those are the words of Rothman in a chapter called basic concept to explain causation and causal inference in epidemiology [1], reminding us that causal mechanism for any effect must consist of a constellation of components that act in concert. Explaining the occurrence of coronary heart disease (CHD) or atherosclerosis does not make an exception to this premise, including in women. As a response to Mascitelli et al. (Maturitas 2010;65(4):403), we would like to add a few arguments on the causal mechanism for atherosclerosis or CHD in women.