Week 1, disease concepts

Question 1

List and define 3 factors of disease frequency

Answer 1

1. Disease case (# of new episodes of a particular illness OR ongoing current case). Ex: COVID is ongoing, new outbreak of equine encephalitis in New Hamp, Mass)
2. Incidence (# of new cases arising in population at risk during specific time). Ex: again, eastern equine encephalitis with 5 cases, one death since 8/24
3. Prevalence (Measurement of current disease at a specified period in time) Ex: There was a large polio outbreak in the US in the 1950s, making the disease very prevalent

Question 2

Incidence and prevalence sound similar, so how are they different?

Answer 2

INCIDENCE is limited to new cases only
PREVALENCE includes all cases, new and pre-existing

Question 3

Give/explain an example of incidence vs prevalence

Answer 3

Asthma. Is a disease with a genetic component, rate of newly diagnosed people hasn’t shown significant increase/decrease in decades. So, INCIDENCE is pretty constant. Thankfully, with better treatment, people with asthma now living longer. Therefore, the total number of cases, both newly diagnosed plus long time patients, is increasing. This makes the PREVALENCE of asthma in the US population rising

Question 4

Define: Morbidity vs mortality

Answer 4

Morbidity: effects that an illness has on a person’s life. Simply refers to an illness someone has. Co-morbid factors means person has multiple medical conditions. The morbidity rate of US adults have diabetes is 15%
Mortality: refers to cause of death. US state with highest mortality rate of heart disease is Oklahoma

Question 5

Define and give example of a primary prevention strategy

Answer 5

Primary: removes risk, limiting ability for disease to occur
Ex: immunizations, seatbelts, bicycle helmets

Question 6

Define and give example of secondary prevention strategy

Answer 6

Secondary: early detection of a disease, reduces impact of something that has already occurred. Ex: any screening test to identify disease at early stage, like mammogram, PAP smear, colonscopy. Also: diet/exercise programs after stroke/heart attack. Modified work/lifting restrictions for people muscle/skeletal injuries

Question 7

Define/give example of tertiary prevention strategy

Answer 7

Tertiary: decrease impact of condition, limiting complications. Ex: usually refers to chronic conditions. Could be stroke survivor support groups, drug rehabilitation after detox center

Question 7

How are clinical practice guidelines formed?

Answer 7

1. Committee of specialists is formed
2. Committee collects, reviews as much peer-reviewed information as possible.
   Assessments, opinions of committee members are discussed. A consensus of opinion is reached to form best practice guidelines
3. All committee members must declare/release any potential conflict of interest (ex: paid consultant with a pharmaceutical company that makes meds used in condition’s treatment)

Question 8

What is necessary to formulate an evidence based treatment guideline?

Answer 8

NOT SURE IF THIS IS WHAT SHE IS LOOKING FOR

Evidence based guidelines require best available resources, Clinician knowledge and skills and consideration of patients’ wants/needs