Researchers conducting a case-control study on oral cancer and tobacco use note that cases recalled tobacco exposure more thoroughly than controls because they had extensively discussed their habits with physicians after diagnosis. This is best described as:
- A Surveillance bias
- B Recall bias ✓
- C Berkson's bias
- D Neyman bias
Explanation
Recall bias occurs in case-control studies when cases (diagnosed individuals) recall past exposures differently (usually more completely) than controls, distorting the apparent exposure-disease association upward. Surveillance bias refers to differential detection of disease in exposed vs. unexposed. Berkson's bias occurs when hospital-based cases and controls have systematically different admission rates. Neyman (incidence-prevalence) bias occurs when cases with a particular exposure are more likely to die before selection, underrepresenting the exposure in surviving cases.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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