Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study [Neurosurgery Wiki]

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===== Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study =====

A **[[cross-sectional]] [[case-control study]]** is an [[observational study]] [[design]] that combines elements of both cross-sectional and case-control methodologies.

==== Definition ====
A study that:
  * Compares individuals with a particular condition (cases) to those without it (controls).
  * Collects data on exposures and outcomes at a **single point in time**.
  * Aims to find **associations**, not causality.

==== Key Characteristics ====
^ Feature           ^ Description                                                                 ^
| Timeframe         | Single time point (cross-sectional)                                          |
| Groups            | Cases (with condition) vs. Controls (without condition)                      |
| Purpose           | Assess association between exposure and outcome                              |
| Temporality       | Cannot determine what came first: exposure or outcome                        |
| Data collection   | Often via questionnaires, interviews, or records                             |

==== Example ====
Study investigating the relationship between childhood trauma and alcohol use disorder:
  * '''Cases''': Patients with alcohol use disorder
  * '''Controls''': Individuals without alcohol use disorder
  * '''Data''': Collected at one time using structured interviews

==== Advantages ====
  * Relatively quick and inexpensive
  * Useful for studying rare outcomes
  * Good for hypothesis generation

==== Limitations ====
  * Cannot establish causality
  * Risk of recall and selection bias
  * Unclear temporal relationship between exposure and outcome