Epidemiology: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Epidemiology

Sample item

Two towns are to be compared for mortality. Town A has a much older population than Town B and a higher crude death rate. Which approach allows a fair comparison?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Age standardisation of death rates

Crude death rates are affected by differences in age structure. Age standardisation (direct, using a standard population, or indirect, giving the standardised mortality ratio) removes this confounding and makes the rates comparable.

Option by option

  • A. Comparing the proportional mortality rates only

    Proportional mortality depends on the distribution of other causes and does not remove age effect.

  • B. Age standardisation of death rates (correct)

    Correct. Standardisation adjusts for the differing age structure.

  • C. Comparing the crude birth rates

    Birth rates do not address differences in mortality or age structure.

  • D. Comparing the case fatality rates

    Case fatality concerns deaths among those with a given disease.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Age standardisation of death rates. Crude death rates are affected by differences in age structure.

Why is "Comparing the proportional mortality rates only" not the answer?

Proportional mortality depends on the distribution of other causes and does not remove age effect.

Why is "Comparing the crude birth rates" not the answer?

Birth rates do not address differences in mortality or age structure.

Why is "Comparing the case fatality rates" not the answer?

Case fatality concerns deaths among those with a given disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Epidemiology in PSM. Age standardisation (direct, using a standard population, or indirect, giving the standardised mortality ratio) removes this confounding and makes the rates comparable.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Epidemiology?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.