A case-control study looking at the association between smoking and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) produced an odds ratio of 2.5. Smoking was considered the exposure.... A case-control study looking at the association between smoking and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) produced an odds ratio of 2.5. Smoking was considered the exposure. Which of the following is the correct interpretation of this finding?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking to interpret the meaning of an odds ratio of 2.5 derived from a case-control study examining the relationship between smoking and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This ratio indicates how the odds of developing COPD among smokers compare to those among non-smokers.
Answer
The odds of COPD are 2.5 times higher for smokers than non-smokers.
The odds of having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) among smokers are 2.5 times the odds for non-smokers.
Answer for screen readers
The odds of having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) among smokers are 2.5 times the odds for non-smokers.
More Information
In a case-control study, the odds ratio compares the odds of exposure (in this case, smoking) in cases with the outcome (COPD) to the odds of exposure in controls without the outcome.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing odds ratios with relative risks, which are not the same.
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