Women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) appear to be at greater risk for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV-related malignancies compared to healthy counterparts. A new study evaluated knowledge about HPV infection among women with IBD. Potential participants were identified from among patients seeking care at local clinics, and all women age ≥15 with an established diagnosis of IBD from 2009 to 2010 were invited to participate in the study. A questionnaire was used to collect information on demographics, lifestyle, sexual behavior, and HPV-related knowledge; simultaneously, the association between HPV-related knowledge and the other factors was analyzed. Which of the following best describes the study design?

Question

Women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) appear to be at greater risk for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV-related malignancies compared to healthy counterparts.  A new study evaluated knowledge about HPV infection among women with IBD.  Potential participants were identified from among patients seeking care at local clinics, and all women age ≥15 with an established diagnosis of IBD from 2009 to 2010 were invited to participate in the study.  A questionnaire was used to collect information on demographics, lifestyle, sexual behavior, and HPV-related knowledge; simultaneously, the association between HPV-related knowledge and the other factors was analyzed.  Which of the following best describes the study design?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Explanation: 11ec2b69_c0ea_da82_8f63_7d4a372f8bd5_MD0005_00 Research studies are broadly classified as having an observational design or an experimental design depending on the control the researchers have over the independent variables. In observational studies (eg, case series, case-control, cohort, cross-sectional), the researchers have no control over the independent variables (eg, exposure to risk factors, treatments). In experimental studies (eg, randomized controlled trial), the researchers control and randomly assign the independent variables (eg, treatments). A cross-sectional study is an observational study used to estimate prevalence of disease. It may also be used to examine associations between risk factors and outcomes (eg, disease) in a well-defined population at one particular time. This type of study typically takes a snapshot of a population and measures frequency of risk factors and outcomes simultaneously. In this study, participants (ie, women with inflammatory bowel disease) were classified according to potential risk factors (eg, demographics, lifestyle, sexual behavior) and outcome status (ie, knowledge about human papillomavirus infection) at the same time (ie, snapshot). The association between risk factor and outcome was then evaluated. However, a major limitation of cross-sectional studies like this one is that the temporal relationship between risk factor and outcome is not always clear. (Choice A) In a case series, a small group of patients with a similar diagnosis or treatment is described at a point in time or followed over a certain period. A case series study is observational but has no comparison group, so it cannot establish associations between risk factors and outcome (eg, disease). (Choices B, D, and E) In a case-control study, 2 groups of individuals are initially identified as cases or controls according to an outcome (eg, disease of interest) and then assessed on their past exposure to risk factors. In a cohort study, 2 groups of individuals are initially identified as exposed or nonexposed according to their status with respect to a specific risk factor and then followed over time to assess development of the outcome. In the cross-sectional study, individuals were assessed for exposure to risk factors and outcome at the same time (ie, snapshot). Educational objective: A cross-sectional study is commonly used to estimate the prevalence of disease, but it may also be used to examine associations between potential risk factors and outcomes (eg, disease). Exposure to risk factors and outcome status may be measured simultaneously at a particular point in time (ie, snapshot), but the temporal relationship between the two is not always clear.

Women with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Appear to Be at Greater