Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of a case-control study?

1. To explore causal relationships.

2. To identify risk factors or causes for a disease.

3. To track changes over time in a population.

4. To assess the effectiveness of a treatment.

The correct answer is: To identify risk factors or causes for a disease.

The primary purpose of a case-control study is to identify risk factors or causes for a disease. In this type of observational study, researchers compare individuals with a specific condition or disease (the cases) to those without the condition (the controls). By analyzing the differences in exposure to potential risk factors between the two groups, researchers can gain insights into what might have contributed to the development of the disease. Case-control studies are particularly useful for studying rare diseases where it would be impractical or unethical to conduct a cohort study that follows a large population over time. They allow for the examination of past exposures and can highlight associations between risk factors and health outcomes, thereby providing vital information that may indicate causal relationships. This careful comparison helps in building a better understanding of the etiology of diseases, leading to improved prevention strategies. In contrast, other study designs mentioned in the options, such as cohort studies or randomized controlled trials, are better suited for tracking changes over time or assessing treatment effectiveness but do not focus primarily on the identification of risk factors for diseases.