This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: Analytical Epidemiology, Subject name: Social & Preventive Medicine
In a case controlled study, it is found that the disease is more common in the group taking coffee as compared to the control group. The significance of this is: 
Select and explain. 
A. Cause and effect relationship established, B. Disease median can be calculated, C. Caffeine is associated with occurrence of disease, D. Controls will not get the disease
C: Caffeine is associated with occurrence of disease
Answer: C: Caffeine is associated with occurrence of disease 
Explanation: Ans is 'c' i.e. Caffeine is associated with the occurrence of the diseases [Ref: Park 20/e, p 69 (18/e, p 68, 17/e p64, 16/e,p62)[Cause and effect relationship is not established by case control study. It can be established by cohort study. A case control study cannot distinguish between causal factors and associated factors.A case control study can measure only the odd ratio ( an estimate of relative risk)A case control study does not establish a cause and effect relationship but it definately tells that caffeine is associated with the disease under study.