Power and sample size calculations in case-control studies of gene- environment interactions: comments on different approaches

Power and sample size considerations are critical for the design of epidemiologic studies of gene-environment interactions. Hwang et al. (Am J Epidemiol 1994;140:1029-37) and Foppa and Spiegelman (Am J Epidemiol 1997;146:596-604) have presented power and sample size calculations for case-control studies of gene-environment interactions. Comparisons of calculations using these approaches and an approach for general multivariate regression models for the odds ratio previously published by Lubin and Gail (Am J Epidemiol 1990; 131:552-66) have revealed substantial differences under some scenarios. These differences are the result of a highly restrictive characterization of the null hypothesis in Hwang et al. and Foppa and Spiegelman, which results in an underestimation of sample size and overestimation of power for the test of a gene-environment interaction. A computer program to perform sample size and power calculations to detect additive or multiplicative models of gene-environment interactions using the Lubin and Gail approach will be available free of charge in the near future from the National Cancer Institute.