Estimation of Relative Risk in Case Control Studies Through Logistic Regression Analysis

Abstract

AbstractMultiple logistic regression analysis is used to estimate the relative risk in case control studies. The estimators obtained are valid when disease is rare. In this paper an estimator of relative risk in a case control study has been proposed using logistic regression results when the incidence of disease is not small. The bias of the usual estimator through logistic regression as compared to the new estimator has been worked out. The expression of Mean Square Error of proposed estimator has been derived in situations when the incidence of disease is known exactly as well as when estimated through an independent survey. It has been observed that there is a significant bias using the conventional estimator of relative risk when incidence of disease is high. In such situations the proposed estimator can be used with advantage.