Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
This commentary presents a new esti- of matching variables, unmatched varimator of the variance of the natural log of ables, or both. This notation encompasses the Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio and illus- the full spectrum of matched and untrates its application in typical case-control matched designs. For example, in the pairdesigns. In contrast with any single previ- matched study, MI and Mo are always one; ously proposed estimator (1-7), this esti- in a design with J controls uniquely mator is easily computed and can be used matched to each case (1: J matching), MI in the analysis of data from any sampling is always one and Mo is always J; in an design (e.g., individually matched, category unmatched design, MI and Mo will usually matched, or unmatched). Furthermore, in vary in an arbitrary fashion across the a series of Monte Carlo simulations, this strata. estimator yielded confidence limits as good Suppose now that the parameter of inas or better than those obtained using pre- terest is the odds ratio and the odds ratio vious estimators (8). has a common (constant) value across strata. If R = AD/T and S = BC/T, the BACKGROUND Mantel-Haenszel estirnator2f the common We will use the following notation to odds ratio is defined as ORMH = R+/S+, represent data values in a basic stratum
Robins et al. (1986) studied this question.