[Problems of the evaluation of occupational exposure in epidemiologic case-control studies]

The paper presents issues concerning collecting and assessing data on occupational exposure in case-referent studies. The authors discuss different opinions and methods for obtaining relatively trustworthy and valuable information regarding this subject. The system of combining data on profession and kind of exposure (the so-called occupational exposure system) and the method for constructing a job exposure matrix are paid much attention. Complexity of problems discussed, the absence of reliable methods and standardized instruments for case-referent study all require every caution in interpreting the data obtained in this type of examination.