In a case-control study, the group with disease is referred to as the.

In a case-control study, the group with disease is referred to as the.

• A. Participants
• B. Controls
• C. Cases
• D. Cohorts

Answer: (C)

In a case-control study, you identify people by their outcome first and then look back to see what exposures they had. The group that has the disease is called cases. This term reflects that these individuals are the cases whose disease status defines them for the study’s comparisons. The other terms don’t fit as well in this context: cohorts refer to groups followed over time in prospective studies; controls are the disease-free comparison group used against the cases; and participants is a general label that doesn’t specify disease status.

In a case-control study, you identify people by their outcome first and then look back to see what exposures they had. The group that has the disease is called cases. This term reflects that these individuals are the cases whose disease status defines them for the study’s comparisons.

The other terms don’t fit as well in this context: cohorts refer to groups followed over time in prospective studies; controls are the disease-free comparison group used against the cases; and participants is a general label that doesn’t specify disease status.