Question

Investigators began a study in 1995 to evaluate the association between infertility treatment and ovarian cancer occurrence among 3,000 Rhode Island women treated for infertility between 1984 and 1994. Cancer incidence was determined by cross-referencing the women to information in the Rhode Island Cancer Registry. The cancer rates in this sample were compared with cancer rates among the general population of Rhode Island women. What kind of cohort study is this?

Group of answer choices

Retrospective

Prospective

Both of the above

Neither of the above

Answer 1

Solution:

Prospective study: In prospective study investigator design the study, recruit subjects and obtain the data regarding the exposure on all subjects. At the start of the study no subjects have developed the outcome of the interest. The subjects are observed for long period of time to record the outcomes of interest and relates the outcome to other factors.

Retroactive Study: The retrospective study is the study which is performed using the information on subjects that have occured in the past. In this type of study investigator compares the two groups of subjects: one group of subjects with the condition and a group of very similar sujects who do not have that condition. And then investigator try to find the factor associated with the disease.

Now, since the characteristics of the given study matches with the retrospective study, therefore the given cohort study is a Retrospective study.