Using national age-specific mortality rates applied to a cohort of asbestos miners, 40 deaths were expected during the study period, but 60 deaths were actually observed. The Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) for this cohort is:

• A 0.67
• B 1.5
• C 66.7
• D 150 ✓

Explanation

SMR is calculated as observed deaths divided by expected deaths multiplied by 100, giving 60/40 x 100 = 150. This indicates a 50 percent excess mortality compared with the general population after adjusting for age structure. Option B gives the ratio as a simple proportion rather than the conventional percentage form used in Indian exam convention, and option A is the inverse ratio, which has no interpretive value here.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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