Cause And Effect In The Study Of Disease

Question 1

Explain how we can correlate the onset of disease to a cause (establish a cause and effect relationship)?

Answer 1

We can use Bradford Hill’s criteria of causality - the more criteria are encountered, the stronger the evidence for the relationship
The cause must preceed the outcome and there must be coherance and plausibility

Question 2

List some causes of disease

Answer 2

• Genetic
• Contact with physical or chemical agents
• Ionizing radiation
• Nutrition
• Environment
  Etc..

Question 3

List some degenerative diseases which are on the rise

Answer 3

• Cancer
• Ischemic heart disease
• Cerebrovascular disease

Question 4

Explain how multifactorial diseases arise?

Answer 4

They arise from the effects of various external triggers that act on a genetically susceptible individual