Introduction to epidemiology

Epidemiology

READINGS
Required Texts: 1) Leon Gordis: Epidemiology. 3rd edition, 2004

Definitions of Epidemiology

Last JM: A dictionary of epidemiology The study of the distribution and determinants of health related states and events in populations and the application of this study to control of health problems“

What Is The Unique Skill Of Epidemiologists?

Measuring disease frequency in populations

Measuring Disease Frequency Has Several Components

Classifying and categorizing disease Deciding what constitutes a case of disease in a study

Finding a source for ascertaining the cases Defining the population at risk of disease

Defining the period of time of risk of disease Obtaining permission to study people Making measurements of disease frequency Relating cases to population and time at risk

Two Broad Types of Epidemiology

Examining the distribution of a disease in a population, and observing the basic features of its distribution in terms of time, place, and person. Typical study design: community health survey (approximate synonyms - cross-sectional study, descriptive study)
Testing a specific hypothesis about the relationship of a disease to a putative cause, by conducting an epidemiologic study that relates the exposure of interest to the disease of interest. Typical study designs: cohort, case-control
Descriptive epidemiology
Analytic epidemiology

The Basic Triad Of Descriptive Epidemiology

The three essential characteristics of disease we look for in descriptive epidemiology: Time Place Person

Time

Changing or stable? Seasonal variation. Clustered (epidemic) or evenly distributed (endemic)? Point source or propagated.

Place

Person
Age Socio-economic status Gender Ethnicity/Race Behavior

Descriptive Epidemiology Is A Necessary Antecedent Of Analytic Epidemiology

To undertake an analytic epidemiologic study you must first: Know where to look Know what to control for Be able to formulate hypotheses compatible with laboratory evidence

A common error in epidemiology is moving to analytic epidemiology without having a solid base in the descriptive epidemiology of the condition.

The Basic Triad Of Analytic Epidemiology

THE THREE PHENOMENA ASSESSED IN ANALYTIC EPIDEMIOLOGY ARE:


HOST
ENVIRONMENT
AGENT

Agents

Nutrients Poisons Allergens Radiation Physical trauma Microbes Psychological experiences

Host Factors

Genetic endowment Immunologic state Age Personal behavior

Environment

CrowdingAtmosphereModes of communication – phenomena in the environment that bring host and agent together, such as:VectorVehicleReservoir

Epidemiologists are required to have some knowledge of the disciplines of public health, clinical medicine, pathophysiology, statistics, and the social sciences.
• public health, because of the emphasis on disease prevention.• clinical medicine, because of the emphasis on disease classification and diagnosis. • pathophysiology, because of the need to understand basic biological mechanisms in disease.• statistics, because of the need to quantify disease frequency and its relationships to antecedents.• social sciences, because of the need to understand the social context in which disease occurs and presents.

Purposes Of Epidemiology(Gordis: Epidemiology, p. 3-4)

Identify causes and risk factors for disease. Determine the extent of disease in the community. Study natural history and prognosis of disease. Evaluate preventive and therapeutic measures Provide foundation for public policy

Differences Between Laboratory Sciences And Field Sciences

In the Laboratory: Mostly experimental Variables controlled by the investigator All variables known Replication easy Results valid Meaning of results for humans uncertain. Little need for statistical manipulation of data. Highly equipment intensive


Differences Between Laboratory Sciences And Field Sciences