Lec 5: Descriptive Epi

Question 1

Descriptive Epidemiology

Answer 1

describes/characterizes amount and distribution of dx in a population according to:

person
place
time

Question 2

3 objectives for descriptive epi

Answer 2

1. eval of trends
2. basis of planning and eval (i.e. setting up resources/care)
3. ID of problems

Question 3

3 types of Epi hypotheses

Answer 3

1. Positive declaration (alt hypothesis)
2. Negative declaration (null hypothesis)
3. Implicit question (general declaration of what’s being studied

Question 4

Positive declaration

Answer 4

1 of 3 types of Epi hypotheses

alt hypothesis

Question 5

Negative declaration

Answer 5

1 of 3 types of Epi hypotheses

null hypothesis

Question 6

Implicit question

Answer 6

1 of 3 types of Epi hypotheses

(general declaration of what’s being studied

Question 7

5 Logical “canons” behind epi hypotheses creation

Answer 7

1. Method of difference
2. Method of agreement
3. Method of concomitant agreement
4. Method of residues
5. Method of analogy

Question 8

Canon

Answer 8

general law/principle

Question 9

Method of difference

Answer 9

1 of 5 logical “canons” behind epi hypotheses creation

when you ensure that all conditions between comparison groups/treatments are exactly the same EXCEPT the one you’re studying

Question 10

Method of agreement

Answer 10

1 of 5 logical “canons” behind epi hypotheses creation

the idea that if a factor is present in the occurrence of an event (i.e. dx onset), then it must contribute to the occurrence of that event

Question 11

Method of concomitant agreement

Answer 11

1 of 5 logical “canons” behind epi hypotheses creation

the idea that dependent variable (dx frequency) varies based on the intensity/frequency of exposure to independent variable

Question 12

Method of residues

Answer 12

1 of 5 logical “canons” behind epi hypotheses creation

when contributing independent variable are removed from a condition systematically in order to determine which variable is actually impacting the dependent variable

Question 13

Method of analogy

Answer 13

1 of 5 logical “canons” behind epi hypotheses creation

the idea that an unknown dx that is similar to a better know dx must have similar mechanisms.

Question 14

Epi description in terms of ‘person’

Answer 14

age (most important/most impactful on health)
gender
marital status
race
ethnicity
etc

Question 15

Epi description in terms of ‘place’

Answer 15

geographical location (exp. urban vs rural) of a population

Question 16

Epi description in terms of ‘time’

Answer 16

cyclic/seasonal dx frequencies

point source epidemics/outbreaks (can always be traceback to a single ‘point’ or ‘source’ during a single time period

common source epidemics (share sources but occur continuously or sporadically)

Secular time trends (when dx frequency changes gradually over time)

Question 17

Epi description in terms of ‘person’: GENDER

Answer 17

health differentials r/t:

reproductive needs/anatomy
environmental factors (like dangerous jobs)
gender gaps in care

Question 18

Epi description in terms of ‘person’: MARITAL STATUS

Answer 18

married people have lower mortality

married men more likely to be overweight/obese

Question 19

Epi description in terms of ‘person’: RACE/ETHNICITY

Answer 19

Black ppl have higher mortality than white ppl

Inuit/indigenous ppl have higher morbidity (exp. TB & hep, suicide, etc) that the rest of U.S.

Asian ppl have lower mortality than white ppl

Hispanic/Latino ppl have lower mortality than white and black ppl but have diabetes

Question 20

Epi description in terms of ‘person’: RACE/ETHNICITY

Answer 20

Black ppl have higher mortality than white ppl

Inuit/indigenous ppl have higher morbidity (exp. TB & hep, suicide, etc) that the rest of U.S.

Asian ppl have lower mortality than white ppl

Hispanic/Latino ppl have lower mortality than white and black ppl but have stuff like diabetes

Question 21

Epi description in terms of ‘person’: SES, Country of Origin, Religion

Answer 21

Other metrics for ‘person’

Question 22

Epi description in terms of ‘person’: SES, Country of Nativity/Origin, Religion

Answer 22

Other metrics for ‘person’

Question 23

2 types of dx/case clustering

Answer 23

spatial

temporal

Question 24

Spatial dx/case clustering

Answer 24

1 of 2 types of dx/case clustering

when health events cluster over a particular place

Question 25

Temporal dx/case clustering

Answer 25

1 of 2 types of dx/case clustering

when health events cluster over a particular time period

Question 26

cyclic/seasonal dx frequencies

Answer 26

1 of 4 types of Epi description in terms of ‘time’

changes in the frequency of a health outcome that ebbs and flows in a cyclic or seasonal manner throughout a longer time period

Question 27

point source epidemics/outbreaks

Answer 27

1 of 4 types of Epi description in terms of ‘time’

can always be traced back to a single ‘point’ or ‘source’ during a BRIEF time period (usually a single incubation period if infection)

may involve sharp increase in cases followed by a slow decline in cases

Question 28

common source epidemics

Answer 28

1 of 4 types of Epi description in terms of ‘time’

involves intermittent/ongoing exposure to the source of a health outcome over time

Question 29

Secular time trends

Answer 29

1 of 4 types of Epi description in terms of ‘time’

when health outcome frequency changes gradually over time