Case-control and case-cohort studies

Abstract

This chapter addresses Case-control and case-cohort studies. In a Case-control study, one samples persons based on their disease outcome, so the fraction of diseased persons in a Case-control study is usually known (at least approximately) before data collection. In a cohort (follow-up) study, the relationship between some exposure and disease incidence is investigated by following the entire cohort and measuring the rate of occurrence of new cases in the different exposure groups. The follow-up records all persons who develop the disease during the study period. Implicit in this is that the relevant exposure information is available at all times for all persons under follow-up. The chapter then looks at the statistical model for the odds ratio, before differentiating between odds ratio and rate ratio. It also considers confounding and stratified sampling; individually matched studies; and nested Case-control studies.