A team from New York Presbyterian hospital is conducting a study about a recent increase in cases involving both excess sweating and kidney stones. What would the team need before it draws a conclusion about the cases?

Before drawing a conclusion about an increase in cases, the team needs information about who the patients are and what characteristics they share. Patient-profile data could help reveal patterns or other factors connected with the symptoms. The team should not assume that excess sweating causes kidney stones without evidence, so choice D is not a suitable starting requirement.

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