2 - Epidemiology

Question 1

How did John Graunt’s studies impact the evolution epidemiology

Answer 1

Used data collection to describe distribution
* Found a pattern in seasons and mortality

Question 2

How did William Farr’s studies impact the evolution epidemiology

Answer 2

Compared disease rates across groups > studies to find determinants of disease
* Showed link between working conditions in mines and death rates
* Systemic data collection

Question 3

How did John Snow’s studies impact the evolution epidemiology

Answer 3

Analytical approach
* Use maps of london to analyses the rates of cholera to produce a putative causal relationship

Question 4

How did James Lind’s studies impact the evolution epidemiology

Answer 4

Used systematic intervention approach
* Reveal a casual relationship between food intake and disease status

Question 5

What is epidemiology?

Answer 5

Study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to control of health problems

Question 6

Descriptive studies focus on the…

Answer 6

DISTRIBUTION of disease
* Correlation, case report/series, cross-sectional

Question 7

What do correlation studies obtain + provide an ex.

Answer 7

Compare disease frequency from data of entire populations
* E.g. Prescription rates for drugs and ADRs

Question 8

What do case report/series studies obtain + provide an ex.

Answer 8

Clinicians detailed profile of a single patient
* A young patient with an older person’s disease

Question 9

Analytical studies focus on the…

Answer 9

DETERMINANTS of disease. Split up into:
1. Observational
2. Intervention

Question 10

What are the types of observational studies?

Answer 10

1. Case control
2. Cohort

Question 11

What are the types of intervention studies?

Answer 11

1. Therapeutic
2. Preventative

Question 12

What are some advantages and disadvantages of case control studies?

Answer 12

A: Good for disease with latency and is cost effective
D: Susceptible to bias (subjects selected based on criterion)

Question 13

What is a prospective cohort study?

Answer 13

Follow subjects over period based on potential for exposure to putative toxicant/influence

Question 14

What is a retrospective cohort study

Answer 14

Select subjects on basis of exposure then investigate for presence on disease

Question 15

What is an intervention study?

Answer 15

Large scale study to determine whether a particular action/remedy will reduce **morbidity/mortality **
* action could be a removal or introduction of some factor