Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
standardized mortality ratio
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "standardized mortality ratio" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in epidemiology and public health to compare the mortality rates of a specific population to a standard population. Example: "The study revealed a standardized mortality ratio of 1.5, indicating that the population under review had a higher mortality rate than the general population."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
SMR, standardized mortality ratio.
SCORE and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) were calculated.
The all-causes standardized mortality ratio is 84 and that for all cancers is 80.
Mortality was calculated as case fatality rate (CFR) and standardized mortality ratio (SMR).
Science
The overall age and sex standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was 5.98 (95% CI = 4.09-7.87).
Science
We observed 222 cancer deaths compared with 116.4 expected (standardized mortality ratio, SMR=191).
Science
Predicted and actual mortality rates, and standardized mortality ratio were calculated.
Science
A significant decrease (70%) in SMR (standardized mortality ratio) for colorectal cancer was seen over time (P < 0.001).
Finally, we used the hospital standardized mortality ratio (HSMR) to account for the quality of inpatient services.
Science
Uterine cancer among women was the only cause of death with a significantly increased standardized mortality ratio.
CI, confidence interval; PIM, Paediatric Index of Mortality [4]; PRISM, Paediatric RISk of Mortality [1,2]; SMR, standardized mortality ratio.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When reporting a "standardized mortality ratio", always include the reference population used for standardization. This ensures clarity and allows for meaningful comparisons across studies.
Common error
Avoid assuming that a low "standardized mortality ratio" automatically indicates excellent performance. It's crucial to consider the specific context, potential biases, and limitations of the data when interpreting SMR values.
Source & Trust
79%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "standardized mortality ratio" functions as a noun phrase used to describe a statistical measure. It quantifies the mortality experience of a specific population relative to a standard population, adjusting for factors like age and sex. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.
Frequent in
Science
98%
News & Media
1%
Formal & Business
1%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "standardized mortality ratio" (SMR) is a common and grammatically correct term used in epidemiology and public health to compare mortality rates between populations, as verified by Ludwig. It is most frequently found in scientific and academic contexts. The SMR is calculated by dividing the observed deaths by the expected deaths and is often expressed as a percentage. It is crucial to consider the reference population when interpreting SMR values. Common alternative phrases include "age-adjusted mortality ratio" and "risk-adjusted mortality rate". When using the "standardized mortality ratio", specify the reference population and avoid misinterpreting low SMR values without considering context and potential biases.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
SMR
This is the acronym for "standardized mortality ratio", providing a shortened form for use in contexts where the full phrase has already been introduced.
age-adjusted mortality ratio
This term emphasizes the adjustment for age differences in populations, similar to standardization.
mortality rate adjusted for confounders
This highlights the statistical adjustment process to remove the effects of confounding variables.
risk-adjusted mortality rate
This term focuses on adjusting for various risk factors that influence mortality.
expected-to-observed mortality ratio
This describes the ratio by comparing the expected number of deaths to the observed number.
normalized mortality rate
"Normalized mortality rate" indicates a mortality rate that has been adjusted to a standard scale or distribution for comparison purposes.
comparative mortality figure
This term suggests a mortality rate that is used for comparison between different groups or populations.
standardized morbidity ratio
"Standardized morbidity ratio" measures the relative frequency of disease occurrence in a study population compared to a standard population.
mortality index
This is a general term for a measure that quantifies mortality, often adjusted for various factors.
mortality benchmark
This term refers to a standard or reference point against which mortality rates are compared.
FAQs
How is the "standardized mortality ratio" calculated?
The "standardized mortality ratio" (SMR) is calculated by dividing the observed number of deaths in a study population by the expected number of deaths, based on the mortality rates of a standard population. The formula is: SMR = (Observed deaths / Expected deaths) * 100. An SMR of 100 indicates that the observed mortality is the same as the standard population. An SMR greater than 100 suggests higher mortality, while an SMR less than 100 suggests lower mortality.
What does a "standardized mortality ratio" of 1.5 indicate?
A "standardized mortality ratio" of 1.5 (or 150%) indicates that the study population has a mortality rate 50% higher than the standard population to which it is being compared. This suggests an elevated risk of death in the study population relative to the reference group.
What are some alternatives to "standardized mortality ratio"?
Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "age-adjusted mortality ratio", "risk-adjusted mortality rate", or "expected-to-observed mortality ratio". The acronym "SMR" can also be used after the full phrase has been introduced.
What is the difference between "standardized mortality ratio" and standardized morbidity ratio?
The "standardized mortality ratio" (SMR) focuses on death rates, comparing observed deaths to expected deaths. In contrast, "standardized morbidity ratio" (also abbreviated SMR) focuses on the incidence of disease, comparing observed cases of a disease to expected cases. Both are used to compare a study population to a standard population, but they measure different outcomes.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
79%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested