Odds: The probability of the event occurring divided by the probability of the

event not occurring.

Odds ratios: with groups quantify ( measure the quantity of something) the
strength of the relationship between two conditions. They indicate ( show ) how
likely an outcome ( result) is to occur in one context relative to another.

The odds ratio formula below shows how to calculate it for conditions A and B.

The denominator (condition B) in the odds ratio formula is the baseline or control

group. Consequently, the OR tells you how much more or less likely the

numerator events (condition A) are likely to occur relative to the denominator

events.

WHEN IS IT REASONABLE TO COMPUTE ODDS RATIOS?

There are 2 principal situations in which the computation of ORs is justified:

1. In case-control studies, where the absolute risks and hence the relative
risks cannot be estimated. => OR can be used to assess if a particular
treatment is considered a ‘risk factor’ for a particular outcome.
2. In logistic regression analyses, where ORs are generated as part of the
analysis.
3. used in logistic regression (estimates the probability of an event occurring)

CALCULATION:
OR = odds of disease in exposed / odds of disease in the non-exposed
= (a/b) / (c/d) = a.d/b.c

● Probability values can only range from 0 to 1 (0% to 100%), whereas

odds can take on any value