Sample size determination for pair-matched case-control studies where the goal is interval estimation of the odds ratio.

Samples sizes are calculated for case-control studies where 1:1 matching has been employed, and where the goal is the interval estimation of the odds ratio. The optimal sample size is defined to be the smallest value for which a 100(1 - alpha)% confidence interval for the log odds ratio will not exceed a specified width 2 delta with specified probability (1 - gamma). This approach is similar in spirit to the power-based approach for sample size determination when significance testing is the goal. Tables of sample sizes are presented for various choices of parameters. We also find considerable disagreement with a published method based on expected numbers of discordant pairs.