2.3 () Epidemiology of death and symptoms

Question 1

Define incidence and prevalence

Answer 1

Incidence: number of new cases of disease that develop in a population of individuals at risk during a specified time internal (number of new cases / total population at risk)

Prevalence: proportion of individuals in a population who have the disease at a specific instant (number of cases / total population at given point in time)

Question 2

Name 5 top leading causes of death worldwide

Answer 2

Ischemic heart disease
Stroke
COPD
Lower resp infection
Alzheimer and other dementia
Trachea/bronchus/lung cancers
Diabetes
Road injury
Diarrheal diseases
TB

FS:
Stroke
Ischemia heart disease
Lung cancer, Lung infection, COPD

Question 3

Name 3 factors influencing a home death

Answer 3

Pall care available in patient’s home
Early referral to pall care
The patient’s disease
Fewer hospitalizations during end of life period
Living with someone (instead of alone)

FS:
Patient disease
Living with someone
Community pall professionals

Question 4

Name 5 common symptoms experienced at end of life (cancer/non-cancer)

Answer 4

Pain
SOB
Anorexia
Fatigue
Anxiety

Question 5

Why is understanding the epidemiology of symptoms at end of life important?

Answer 5

Define priorities for clinician education and workforce preparation