Question

A case-control study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between artificial sweeteners and bladder cancer. 3,000 cases and 3,000 controls were enrolled in the study. Amongst the cases, 1,293 had used artificial sweeteners in the past, while 1,707 had never used artificial sweeteners. Among the controls, 855 had used sweeteners and 2,145 had not. Calculate the odds of being a case.

Answer 1

Odds of being a case = 1.90

Explanation:

Relationship between artificial sweeteners and bladder cancer.

Amongst the cases, 1,293 had used artificial sweeteners in the past, while 1,707 had never used artificial sweeteners.

used AS = 1,293

Not used AS = 1,707

Among the controls, 855 had used sweeteners and 2,145 had not.

We can prepare a table from the above information,

Cases Controls

used AS a = 1,293 b = 855

Not used AS c = 1,707 d = 2,145

The odds of being a case may be calculated as

`$ odds = (a * d)/(b * c) $`

`$ odds = (1,293 * 2,145)/(855 * 1,707) $`

`odds = 1.90`

Therefore, we can conclude that a person having bladder cancer used artificial sweeteners was 1.90 times the odds that a person without bladder cancer used artificial sweeteners .