Podcast
Questions and Answers
What must occur for causation to be established in epidemiology?
What must occur for causation to be established in epidemiology?
- The cause must be more severe than the effect.
- The effect must precede the cause.
- The cause must precede the effect. (correct)
- The effect must be reversible.
Which criterion suggests that increased exposure to a factor should correlate with a higher incidence of the disease?
Which criterion suggests that increased exposure to a factor should correlate with a higher incidence of the disease?
- Biological gradient (correct)
- Plausibility
- Temporality
- Analogy
How does coherence in epidemiological research influence the understanding of a disease's effect?
How does coherence in epidemiological research influence the understanding of a disease's effect?
- By indicating that all cases must be reported.
- By confirming that the disease has historical precedence.
- By ensuring that laboratory findings align with epidemiological evidence. (correct)
- By providing absolute evidence of causation.
What characterizes a pandemic as opposed to an epidemic?
What characterizes a pandemic as opposed to an epidemic?
Which of the following best describes an outbreak in epidemiological terms?
Which of the following best describes an outbreak in epidemiological terms?
What is the primary difference between endemic and epidemic diseases?
What is the primary difference between endemic and epidemic diseases?
Which term describes a disease spread across multiple regions impacting a widespread population?
Which term describes a disease spread across multiple regions impacting a widespread population?
Which of the following statements about clusters in epidemiology is true?
Which of the following statements about clusters in epidemiology is true?
Which of the following best defines epidemiology?
Which of the following best defines epidemiology?
What does the term 'distribution' in epidemiology refer to?
What does the term 'distribution' in epidemiology refer to?
Which of the following criteria is NOT part of the Bradford Hill Criteria of Causation?
Which of the following criteria is NOT part of the Bradford Hill Criteria of Causation?
In epidemiology, how is a 'pandemic' best described?
In epidemiology, how is a 'pandemic' best described?
What is the primary goal of calculating prevalence in epidemiology?
What is the primary goal of calculating prevalence in epidemiology?
Which of the following populations would be most relevant for an epidemiological study?
Which of the following populations would be most relevant for an epidemiological study?
The term 'cluster' in epidemiology refers to what?
The term 'cluster' in epidemiology refers to what?
What is the importance of identifying segments of the population with the greatest risk in epidemiology?
What is the importance of identifying segments of the population with the greatest risk in epidemiology?
What is the primary distinction between incidence risk and incidence rate?
What is the primary distinction between incidence risk and incidence rate?
Which factor is NOT essential for calculating a disease rate?
Which factor is NOT essential for calculating a disease rate?
What does a higher incidence rate typically indicate about a population?
What does a higher incidence rate typically indicate about a population?
In a cohort study, which situation could potentially distort the incidence risk calculation?
In a cohort study, which situation could potentially distort the incidence risk calculation?
Why is it important to follow participants over time in a study calculating incidence rates?
Why is it important to follow participants over time in a study calculating incidence rates?
How does the concept of 'person-time' contribute to the calculation of incidence rates?
How does the concept of 'person-time' contribute to the calculation of incidence rates?
Which of the following is considered a discrete outcome in epidemiology?
Which of the following is considered a discrete outcome in epidemiology?
What is the main purpose of measuring incidence in public health?
What is the main purpose of measuring incidence in public health?
What equation accurately represents the calculation of prevalence?
What equation accurately represents the calculation of prevalence?
Which statement is true regarding point prevalence?
Which statement is true regarding point prevalence?
If a disease's prevalence increases significantly, which of the following explanations is NOT likely?
If a disease's prevalence increases significantly, which of the following explanations is NOT likely?
What is the main distinction between prevalence and incidence?
What is the main distinction between prevalence and incidence?
Given the prevalence of COPD in 2018 at a practice with 39,640 patients, what was the prevalence percentage?
Given the prevalence of COPD in 2018 at a practice with 39,640 patients, what was the prevalence percentage?
Which of the following could lead to a decrease in disease prevalence?
Which of the following could lead to a decrease in disease prevalence?
In the example of COPD, what is the incidence calculated from July 1st to August 1st given a rise in cases during the month?
In the example of COPD, what is the incidence calculated from July 1st to August 1st given a rise in cases during the month?
What does a low period prevalence suggest about a disease in a population?
What does a low period prevalence suggest about a disease in a population?
What does the prevalence of COPD in 2018 represent as a percentage of the total population?
What does the prevalence of COPD in 2018 represent as a percentage of the total population?
How many new cases of COPD were diagnosed in 2019 compared to 2018?
How many new cases of COPD were diagnosed in 2019 compared to 2018?
What is the incidence rate of new COPD cases in 2019 per 1000 population?
What is the incidence rate of new COPD cases in 2019 per 1000 population?
What is the primary concern if the number of patients remained static while new COPD cases rose significantly?
What is the primary concern if the number of patients remained static while new COPD cases rose significantly?
What does prevalence-incidence bias imply when studying a specific health outcome?
What does prevalence-incidence bias imply when studying a specific health outcome?
Which year saw a higher prevalence of COPD among patients?
Which year saw a higher prevalence of COPD among patients?
Why might a GP feel reassured after reviewing the prevalence and incidence data over the two years?
Why might a GP feel reassured after reviewing the prevalence and incidence data over the two years?
What could be a potential outcome of not considering prevalence-incidence bias during data collection?
What could be a potential outcome of not considering prevalence-incidence bias during data collection?
Study Notes
Epidemiology
- The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states among specified populations.
- Application of this study to controlling health problems.
- Methodology used to find the causes of health outcomes and diseases in populations.
- In epidemiology, the patient is the community, and individuals are viewed collectively.
Key Terms in Epidemiology
- Epidemic: A disease occurrence among a population exceeding what is expected in a given time and place.
- Example: Ebola in parts of Africa
- Pandemic: A disease or condition that spreads across regions.
- Example: COVID-19
- Endemic: Disease or condition present among a population at all times.
- Example: Malaria in Africa
- Cluster: A group of cases in a specific time and place that might be more than expected.
- Example: Measles outbreak at a factory in Fort Worth, Texas.
- Rate: The number of cases occurring during a specified period.
- Always dependent on the size of the population during that period.
Outcomes in Epidemiology
- Discrete: Disease occurrence or severity.
- Continuous: Blood pressure or glucose levels
Rates in Epidemiology
- Rates are used to compare health problems among different populations that include two or more groups who differ by a selected characteristic.
Incidence
- The occurrence of NEW cases of disease or injury in a population over a specified period of time.
- Used to describe how quickly the disease is occurring in a population.
- Used to identify increasing transmission and influence decision making about public health interventions.
- Can be presented as a proportion (risk) or a rate (person-time).
Prevalence
- The proportion of people with a particular disease at a particular timepoint.
- Point prevalence is calculated by dividing the number of cases at one time by the total population at the same point in time.
- Period prevalence is the proportion of people with a particular disease during a given time period.
Prevalence and Incidence Examples
- 50 people are followed for one month to see how many have or develop COVID.
- The prevalence of this disease is 8 per 50, or 0.16, or 16%.
- The incidence from July 1st to August 1st is 5 per 47, or 0.106, or 10.6%.
Prevalence vs. Incidence
- Prevalence includes all cases (new and preexisting cases) in the population, while incidence only considers new cases.
Factors that Affect Incidence & Prevalence
-
Prevalence-Incidence Bias: A type of selection bias (Neyman bias) that occurs when individuals with severe or mild disease are excluded.
- This can lead to errors in the estimated association between an exposure and an outcome.
- Example: A study on cardiac arrest only collecting data on arrival to the emergency department, missing cases declared dead on scene.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the fundamental concepts of epidemiology, including key terms like epidemic, pandemic, and endemic. This quiz will help you understand the distribution and determinants of health-related states among populations and the methodologies used in epidemiological studies.
