Module 2 Definitions

Question 1

Sufficient cause

Answer 1

A minimum set of conditions without one of which the disease would not occur.

Question 2

Component cause

Answer 2

A factor that contributes towards dis-ease causation, but is not sufficient to cause disease on its own.

Question 3

Necessary cause

Answer 3

A factor or component cause that must be present for the disease to occur.

Question 4

Primary Prevention

Answer 4

Limits the occurrence of disease by controlling specific causes and risk factors

Question 5

Secondary Prevention

Answer 5

Reduces the most serious consequences of disease

Question 6

Tertiary Prevention

Answer 6

Reduces the progress of complications of the established disease.

Question 7

Screening

Answer 7

Identifying risk factors for disease or unrecognised disease by applying tests on a large scale to a population.

Question 8

Sensitivity

Answer 8

The likelihood of a positive test in those with the disease.

Question 9

Specificity

Answer 9

The likelihood of a negative test in those without the disease

Question 10

PPV

Answer 10

The probability to having disease if the test is positive.

Question 11

NPV

Answer 11

The probability of not having the disease if the test is negative

Question 12

Lead time bias

Answer 12

The apparent increase in life expectancy / lead time due to early detection of disease

Question 13

Length time bias

Answer 13

Calculating mean survival from screened patients gives the impression of longer average survival that occurs in the population

Question 14

Attributable risk

Answer 14

The amount of extra disease attributable to a particular risk factor in the exposed group.

Question 15

Population attributable risk

Answer 15

The amount of extra disease attributable to a particular risk factor in a particular population.