In a case-control study, what is true regarding the comparison of exposures?

In a case-control study, the primary objective is to determine whether exposure to a certain risk factor is associated with a specific outcome (in this case, a disease). The correct understanding involves comparing the exposure status between two distinct groups: those who have the disease (cases) and those who do not (controls).

The first option accurately describes this comparison by indicating that the study assesses the proportion of cases that were exposed to the risk factor and contrasts it with the proportion of controls that were exposed. This approach allows researchers to infer if there is an association between the exposure and the occurrence of disease, as a higher proportion of cases with the exposure compared to controls would suggest a potential risk factor for the disease.

The other options, while relevant to case-control studies, do not precisely capture the fundamental aspect of exposure comparison that defines the method. For instance, the second option describes a different type of analysis often seen in cohort studies, where rates of disease are assessed based on exposure status. The third option discusses the flexibility in study design but does not specifically address the core feature of exposure comparison. The last option references recall bias, a common issue in case-control studies, yet it is a concern related to study methodology rather than the fundamental aim of comparing exposures between groups