Cohort Study Design — NDEB AFK MCQ
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Correct answer: B — Individuals classified by exposure status, followed forward in time to measure disease occurrence
A cohort study (prospective or retrospective) identifies a group of individuals classified by their exposure status (exposed vs. unexposed) and follows them over time to measure the incidence of the outcome (disease). It is the strongest observational study design for establishing temporal relationships and calculating relative risk (RR) and incidence rates. Example: following a cohort of smokers vs. non-smokers to compare oral cancer incidence over 20 years. Cohort studies are more expensive and time-consuming than case-control studies but provide stronger evidence.
Reference: Burt & Eklund – Dentistry, Dental Practice, and the Community, 7th ed., 2005