Which group had a higher death count in absolute numbers?

Which group had a higher death count in absolute numbers?

• A. Depressed group
• B. Cannot determine
• C. Non-depressed group
• D. Both equal

Answer: (C)

Absolute death counts reflect total deaths and depend on how many people are in each group and how long they’re observed. A higher count in one group doesn’t necessarily mean that group has the higher risk; it can simply be a bigger group or longer follow-up producing more deaths overall. If the non-depressed group has more participants or more person-years of follow-up, it can accumulate more deaths even if its death rate is lower. To compare risk properly, you’d look at the death rate (deaths per people or per person-time) rather than raw counts. In this case, the non-depressed group shows a higher death count in absolute numbers.

Absolute death counts reflect total deaths and depend on how many people are in each group and how long they’re observed. A higher count in one group doesn’t necessarily mean that group has the higher risk; it can simply be a bigger group or longer follow-up producing more deaths overall. If the non-depressed group has more participants or more person-years of follow-up, it can accumulate more deaths even if its death rate is lower. To compare risk properly, you’d look at the death rate (deaths per people or per person-time) rather than raw counts. In this case, the non-depressed group shows a higher death count in absolute numbers.