COMPARISON OF CROSSSECTIONAL, PROSPECTIVECOHORT STUDY, RETROSPECTIVE,& CASE CONTROL STUDY

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Tags:Case-control study, Cohort study, Observational studies, evidence-based medicine, control group,latency, matching, randomized control study.

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A Quick Reference Table for theAuthors & Researchers

Cross sectional studies, case-control studies and cohort studies arecollectively known as observational studies.

Observations and not interventions are carried out by the investigator.

This will act as a quick reference table for researchers and authors.

This blog tries to discuss each of the observational studies methods layingemphasis on what their strengths and weaknesses are by comparing them.

In Brief

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Cross sectional studies are used primarily to determine the prevalence of aproblem whereas cohort studies involve the study of the population that is bothexposed and non-exposed to the cause of disease development agents.

Analytical studies that are observational in nature are called as cohort studies andare derived from Latin meaning ‘unit’. This study can be prospective or retrospectivein nature (Barría, 2018).

Case control studies are undertaken with people who are already subjected to thecondition or disease that is being studied (Robert & G. Berman, 2015).

Introduction

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Comparisons of CrossSectional, Prospective

Cohort Study, Retrospective& Case Control Study

In cross sectional studies, prevalence determines the number of incidences ina given population. All the required measurements are administered to the setof population at the same time.

Prevalence helps the clinician in knowing the portending value of aninvestigation and also the likelihood of specific diagnosis.

Questionnaires are mainly used in most of the cross sectional studies.

Cross sectional studies are relatively cheap and quick, and allow theresearchers to obtain lot of information very quickly. Due to absence of followup, less usage of resources are needed to conduct cross sectional studies.

Different variables can be used to run the study. Researchers working on aproject can obtain data on various variables to know how differences in age,sex, income and educational status might correspond with the variable that iscritical for the study.

They act as a springboard for further studies and research (Hackshaw,2015).

CrossSectionalStudies

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Contd..

While studying a public health issue, cross-sectional study helps as a tool in understanding the link between aspecific behaviour to a specific illness and acts as a guide for future studies.

Relationship between the cause and the outcomes cannot be studied as other variables also affect the linkbetween cause and the outcome. Accuracy in reports cannot be expected as there might be biases in reports

There can also be cohort differences as different people might have different experiences that affect their livesdue to geographical and demographical regions even though can share the same historical experiences.

For example, in order to understand the influence of exercises on the cognitive function and health ofpeople as they age, researchers can obtain data from people falling into different age bracket as to theirexercise routines and their performances in cognitive tests which help researchers obtain thenecessary information about the what type of exercises might be beneficial the most for cognitivehealth of a particular age group and also helps in doing more experimental. But it does have its ownlimitations.

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In cohort studies, the results of the study of both the exposed and the non-exposed population are compared to try and find out the link or associationbetween the suspected cause and the disease.

Retrospective cohort studies use the data that is already obtained for otherreasons. Retrospective follow up of the cohort is done.

Prospective Cohort study is suitable for rare exposures. The incidence rateand the relative risk of the disease can be determined.

A single exposure can determine numerous diseases associated with it.

There is minimization of information and selection biases.

Cause and effect can be established by this type of study. Retrospectivecohort study takes less time to complete in contrast to prospective study.

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CohortStudies

Contd..

Several cohorts can be studied. Incidence data can be estimated.

Limitations include requirement of a huge population to conduct the study for prospective cohort studyand longer time required to complete the study.

The outcome of this type of study is largely affected by the loss of people or subjects during the followup process. It is not sufficient for the study of diseases that are rare. It is expensive.

It also has issues related to ethics whereas the Retrospective cohort study has difficulty in identifying thecorresponding exposed and non-exposed group to draw comparisons

Issues of confounding variables are a major weakness and is not suitable for rare diseases. Improperand low quality medical data leads to a lot of errors in the results obtained.

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Case control studies are undertaken with people who are already subjected to thecondition or disease that is being studied (Robert & G. Berman, 2015).

Just like taking a ‘history and physical’, the patient is examined and questioned so as toknow all those factors and elements that contributed in predisposing the patient to thedisease.

Its strengths lies in it being quick and inexpensive.

It is suitable for outcomes that have long latency and fewer subjects for study purpose.

Multiple risk factors or exposures can be studied and examined. Records that alreadyexist can be utilized.

Limitations can be seen as in bias being a major issue.

Validation of information is a problem.

Selecting an appropriate group for comparison can be very difficult. Determination ofexposed and non-exposed disease rate in individuals can be difficult.

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