Analysis of matched case-control studies
- PMID: 26916049
- PMCID: PMC4770817
- DOI: 10.1136/bmj.i969
Analysis of matched case-control studies
Abstract
There are two common misconceptions about case-control studies: that matching in itself eliminates (controls) confounding by the matching factors, and that if matching has been performed, then a “matched analysis” is required. However, matching in a case-control study does not control for confounding by the matching factors; in fact it can introduce confounding by the matching factors even when it did not exist in the source population. Thus, a matched design may require controlling for the matching factors in the analysis. However, it is not the case that a matched design requires a matched analysis. Provided that there are no problems of sparse data, control for the matching factors can be obtained, with no loss of validity and a possible increase in precision, using a “standard” (unconditional) analysis, and a “matched” (conditional) analysis may not be required or appropriate.
Conflict of interest statement
Competing interests: I have read and understood the BMJ policy on declaration of interests and declare the following: none.
Provenance and peer review: Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
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