Misconceptions regarding case-control studies of bicycle helmets and head injury

Accid Anal Prev. 2006 Jul;38(4):636-43. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2005.12.007. Epub 2006 Jan 18.

Abstract

A number of published case-control studies have reported that bicycle helmets are associated with a reduced risk of head injury and brain injury among bicyclists who crashed. A paper in this journal offered several criticisms of these studies and of a systematic review of these studies. Many of those criticisms stem from misconceptions about the studies that have been done and about case-control studies in general. In this manuscript we review case-control study design, particularly as it applies to bicycle helmet studies, and review some aspects of the analysis of case-control data.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data*
  • Bicycling / injuries*
  • Brain Injuries / prevention & control
  • Case-Control Studies*
  • Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / prevention & control*
  • Head Protective Devices*
  • Humans
  • Odds Ratio