Hi , I have a 4 level- variable that I want to use as one of the independent variable (renalicd9 ) in proc logiotic model, The variable is coded as 0, (Normal renal finction) 1- Stage 3 chrnoic renal disease 2. Stage 4 chrnoic renal disease 3- Stage 5 chr rnal dis with dialysis. I want to obtain the Odds ratio for mortality (variable "died")  for each of this category compared against those with normal renal function.(code = 0) Can I use this multilevel variable as it is in the regression model or should I convert into 3 separate binary variables (coded as 0 and 1) and the run 3 different models? What would give me  correct results? At present after including the multilevel variable (highlighted) the the SAS code looks like this: proc logistic data =library.nismicathcabg4 descending; class  female  (ref= first) renalicd9 (ref=first) dm dmcx htn_c  aids alcohol ANEMDEF arth race1(ref=first)  ZIPINC_QRTL(ref=first) hosp_location h_contrl(ref=first) hosp_teach bldloss chf chrnlung coag depress drug hypothy liver lymph lytes mets neuro obese para perivasc psych pulmcirc renlfail tumor ulcer valve wghtloss cararrhythmia/param=ref; model died=  age female dm dmcx htn_c  aids alcohol ANEMDEF arth  race1 zipinc_qrtl hosp_location h_contrl hosp_teach  TOTAL_DISC bldloss chf chrnlung coag depress drug hypothy liver lymph lytes mets neuro obese para perivasc psych pulmcirc renalicd9 tumor ulcer valve wghtloss cararrhythmia; weight discwt; title 'Logi Reg in-hosp mortality vs renalicd9 in MI patients with race + income'; run; quit; The output i got after running this is attached here.. Thanks ... View more