What does relative risk represent?

Relative risk is a measure that allows for the comparison of the risk of an event occurring in two different groups, typically a treatment group and a control group. It is calculated by taking the absolute risk of an event in the treatment group and dividing it by the absolute risk of the event in the control group.

This ratio helps to contextualize the effect of a treatment or intervention compared to a baseline, which is represented by the control group. When the relative risk is greater than 1, it indicates an increased risk associated with the treatment, while a value less than 1 suggests a protective effect. A relative risk of exactly 1 implies no difference in risk between the treatment and control groups.

Options that mention absolute risk in the control group or treatment group in the wrong manner misrepresent the concept of relative risk. Understanding relative risk is important for interpreting the effectiveness and safety of medical interventions in the context of addiction medicine and other fields.