I need to calculate the p-trend of age-adjusted incidences. The age-adjusted incidences were calculated using the direct method, so the numerators and denominators were large. I tried the poison model and found the p-trend was <0.0001, but the incidence rates seem to be non-linear, rather than an increased or decreased trend. Also, I found the value/df are very high (>3500), which should be close to 1 for better accuracy. Is it right to use poison model? Which model is good for calculating the
p-trend of age-adjusted incidences?
input periods cases pyears;
model cases=periods / dist=poisson link=log offset=loga;