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Cohort studies are a cornerstone of medical statistics and epidemiological research. They involve following a group of individuals, known as a cohort, over a period of time to observe outcomes such as the development of diseases or the occurrence of certain health events. The participants in a cohort study are selected based on their exposure to a particular factor of interest, such as a medication, lifestyle choice, or environmental condition, but not based on whether they have the outcome of interest at the start of the study.
Let us first look at the main terms that we need to understand when learning about cohort studies
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Cohort | A group of individuals with a shared characteristic or experience, often related to exposure to a specific risk factor. |
| Prospective Cohort Study | A study where participants are followed over time from the point of exposure to observe the outcomes. |
| Retrospective Cohort Study | A study where participants are selected after outcomes have occurred and data is collected from past records to determine exposure status. |
| Incidence | The count of new cases of a disease or health outcome in a population within a specific time period. |
| Prevalence | The total number of cases of a disease... |
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