Intro to Epi: Burden of Respiratory Disease

Question 1

Describe the two types of prevalence

Answer 1

1. Point Prevelance
   
   1. one point in time (do you have asthma)
2. Period Prevalence
   
   1. between stated periods of time (asthma in last 12 months/lifetime asthma)

Question 2

Describe two ways in which we collect data to describe the burden of asthma in the community

Answer 2

1. Routine data collection (electronic records, bills, national stats ONS)
2. Surveys (questionnaires, interviews)

Question 3

Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using electronic records, bilss or national stats to assess burden of disease

Answer 3

Advantages

1. Easy access

Disdavantages

1. Reporting bias
   
   1. Multiple codes for disease
2. Recall bias
   
   1. Incomplete records
3. Not all patients with disease are admitted

Question 4

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using surveys (interviewed) to assess burden of disease

Answer 4

Advantages

1. Non-invasive
2. Cheap and quick

Disadvantages

1. Needs standardisation
   
   1. Interview skills, same definitions
2. missing information
3. transcription errors
4. recall/report bias

Question 5

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using self-administered questionnaires to assess burden of disease

Answer 5

Advantages:

1. More honest
2. More likely to fill out

Disadlimited by advantages:

1. Limited by patient understanding of questionnaire

Question 6

List some biases that occur in epidemiological survyes

Answer 6

Sample representative of population

Standardised data collection

Standardised definitions used (positive tests, biomarkers)