Dear Editor,
We recently published a study on mobility and mortality around the COVID-19 pandemic (J Gen Intern Med 2020 35, 3100–3101). In the analysis, we estimated correlation coefficients and p-values comparing changes in population mobility and COVID-19 mortality across multiple countries over time. Upon reviewing our computer code, we have discovered an error that leads to changes in our estimated p-values.
The primary analysis of driving and COVID-19 mortality (r = 0.41, p < 0.001) changes now to (r = 0.41, p = 0.014). The sensitivity analysis of specific countries (r = 0.42, p = 0.01) changes now to (r = 0.45, p = 0.052). The sensitivity analysis of countries with the top public health systems (r = 0.38, p = 0.02) changes now to (r = 0.38, p = 0.11). The walking and COVID-19 mortality analysis (r = 0.43, p < 0.001) changes now to (r = 0.43, p = 0.009). No other changes are necessary.
In summary, the corrections do not change the direction of our findings or the qualitative interpretation of results. The primary analysis is essentially unchanged. We draw attention to these corrections for investigators elsewhere interested in pursuing more studies of mobility and mortality.
Sincerely,
Jonathan S. Zipursky, MD FRCPC
Clinical Associate, Division of General Internal Medicine & Clinical Pharmacology
Eliot Phillipson Clinician-Scientist Training Program, University of Toronto
Donald A. Redelmeier, MD, FRCPC, MS(HSR), FACP
Canada Research Chair in Medical Decision Sciences
Division of General Internal Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of Interest
JSZ has received payments for medicolegal opinions regarding the safety and effectiveness of drugs outside the submitted work.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Related article https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-020-05943-7.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zipursky, J.S., Redelmeier, D.A. Letter Relating to “Mobility and Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic” (J Gen Intern Med 2020 35, 3100–3101). J GEN INTERN MED 37, 245 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-021-07082-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-021-07082-z