Case-control studies can be either prospective or retrospective.

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This statement concerns the design and timing of data collection in case-control studies.

Option 1 (True): The claim that case-control studies can be either prospective or retrospective is misleading. Traditional case-control studies select individuals based on outcome status (cases and controls) and then look back to assess prior exposures, which is the hallmark of a retrospective design. While some studies may collect exposure information from existing records or recall data, the fundamental framework is not typically described as prospective. Therefore, labeling case-control studies as potentially prospective is not accurate in standard epidemiologic terminology.

Option 2 (False): In standard practice, case-control studies are defined by retrospective evaluation of exposure history after outcome status has been determined. The selection of cases and controls happens first, followed by a backward assessment of exposures. The prospective collection of exposure data before outcomes occur would align more with a cohort design, where exposure status is established and participants are followed forward in time to observe outcomes. Although there are variations and hybrids (like nested case-control studies within a cohort), the classical and most common approach is retrospective. Hence, describing case-control studies as being both prospective and retrospective is incorrect.

In summary, the core idea is that case-control studies are typically retrospective in nature, focusing on past exposures after selecting cases and controls, which makes the statement false. The correct interpretation emphasizes the retrospective orientation rather than a prospective one as part of the standard definition.

EPI 201 Week 6 - Case-control & matched studies

Case-control studies can be either prospective or retrospective.

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