A researcher conducting a cross-sectional survey finds that patients with depression have higher rates of chronic pain compared to those without depression (OR = 3.2, 95% CI 2.1-4.8, p < 0.001). The researcher concludes that depression causes chronic pain. Which of the following represents the primary limitation of this interpretation?
- A)Odds ratios cannot demonstrate causation
- B)Cross-sectional studies cannot establish temporal precedenceGABARITO
- C)Selection bias was not controlled
- D)The p-value indicates the result is unreliable
- E)The confidence interval is too narrow
Explicação
Cross-sectional studies measure exposure and outcome simultaneously, preventing determination of which condition preceded the other. Depression may cause pain, pain may cause depression, or both may result from a third factor. Establishing causation requires k... Ver explicação completa e trilha adaptativa →