MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Emerging Themes in Epidemiology' source. Sat, 10 Oct 2009 19:30:56 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2454856&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F4 Conclusion: This analysis develops a new variable based on WNV-positive dead birds, [(Positive/Tested)*(Population/Area)] to be assessed in future real-time studies for forecasting the number of human cases in a county. A delay period of approximately two weeks between increases in this variable and the human case onset was identified. Several threshold 'signal' values were assessed and found effective at indicating human case risk, although specific thresholds are likely to vary by region and surveillance system differences. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2454856 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2454856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2411860&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F3 Conclusion: Given an inheritance of gene expression from parents, Mendelian randomization studies not only need to assume a random distribution of alleles in the offspring, but also a random distribution of epigenetic changes (e.g. gene expression) at conception, in order for the core assumptions of the Mendelian randomization methodology to remain valid. As an increasing number of epidemiologists employ Mendelian randomization methods in their research, caution is therefore needed in drawing conclusions from these studies if these assumptions are not met. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2411860 Mon, 11 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2411860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2322053&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F6%2F1%2F2 Conclusion: This method proved to be useful in disentangling the effect of different subsequent cancers on mortality. In our application it shows a worse long-term mortality for women with two cancers than that with BC only. However, the increase in mortality was lower than expected under the additivity assumption. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2322053 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2322053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2072562&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F26 Background: Excess mortality due to seasonal influenza is thought to be substantial. However, influenza may often not be recognized as cause of death. Imputation methods are therefore required to assess the public health impact of influenza. The purpose of this study was to obtain estimates of monthly excess mortality due to influenza that are based on an epidemiologically meaningful model. Methods and Results: U.S. monthly all-cause mortality, 1995 through 2005, was hierarchically modeled as Poisson variable with a mean that linearly depends both on seasonal covariates and on influenza-certified mortality. It also allowed for overdispersion to account for extra variation that is not captured by the Poisson error. The coefficient associated with influenza-certified mortality was interprete... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2072562 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2072562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2025741&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F25 Cluster surveys are commonly used in humanitarian emergencies to measure health and nutrition indicators. Deitchler et al. have proposed to use Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) hypothesis testing in cluster surveys to classify the prevalence of global acute malnutrition as exceeding or not exceeding the pre-established thresholds. Field practitioners and decision-makers must clearly understand the meaning and implications of using this test in interpreting survey results to make programmatic decisions. We demonstrate that the LQAS test--as proposed by Deitchler et al.--is prone to producing false-positive results and thus is likely to suggest interventions in situations where interventions may not be needed. As an alternative, to provide more useful information for decision-making, we... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2025741 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2025741 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2010405&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F24 Conclusions: When a significant effect of the group of genetic variants is detected, subsequent multiple tests could be conducted to detect which individual genetic variants and their combinations are associated with disease risk. When testing for an effect size in a group of genetic variants, one can use our global test described in this paper, because the sample size required to detect an effect size in the group is comparatively small. Our method could be viewed as a screening tool for assessing groups of genetic variants involved in pathogenesis and etiology of common complex human diseases. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2010405 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2010405 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1984164&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F13 Conclusion: The results of the search to date have greatly increased access to reports of trials in EMBASE, especially in some languages other than English. The search strategy used was subjectively derived from a small 'gold standard' set of test records and was not validated in an independent test set. We intend to design an objectively-derived validated search strategy using logistic regression based on the frequency of occurrence of terms in the approximately 80,000 reports of randomized trials identified compared with the frequency of these terms across the entire EMBASE database. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1984164 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1984164 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1891460&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F12 Articles published in English language journals with citations of non-English peer reviewed materials are not very common today. However, as epidemiologists are becoming more aware of data and information being readily available and accessible in the non-English literature, the question of whether non-English materials can be cited in English language journals and if so, how should they be cited, has become an increasingly important issue. Bringing together personal insights from the author's familiarity with both the English and Chinese language epidemiological literature and results from a survey on the use of citations of non-English peer reviewed materials across a sample of epidemiology and public health journals, this commentary discusses the different ways authors cite non-English a... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1891460 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1891460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1840335&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F12 Articles published in English language journals with citations of non-English peer reviewed materials are not very common today. However, as epidemiologists are becoming more aware of data and information being readily available and accessible in the non-English literature, the question of whether non-English materials can be cited in English language journals and if so, how should they be cited, has become an increasingly important issue. Bringing together personal insights from the author's familiarity with both the English and Chinese language epidemiological literature and results from a survey on the use of citations of non-English peer reviewed materials across a sample of epidemiology and public health journals, this commentary discusses the different ways authors cite non-English a... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1840335 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1840335 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1840334&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F13 Conclusions: The results of the search to date have greatly increased access to reports of trials in EMBASE, especially in some languages other than English. The search strategy used was subjectively derived from a small 'gold standard' set of test records and was not validated in an independent test set. We intend to design an objectively-derived validated search strategy using logistic regression based on the frequency of occurrence of terms in the approximately 80,000 reports of randomized trials identified compared with the frequency of these terms across the entire EMBASE database. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1840334 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1840334 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1840333&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F14 The study provides the rationale, history and current status of the Index Medicus for the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region. The Index is unique in combining the geographic coverage of peer-reviewed health and biomedical journals (408 titles) from the 22 countries of the Region. Compiling and publishing the Index coupled with a document delivery service is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office's knowledge management and sharing programme. In this paper, bibliometric indicators are presented to demonstrate the distribution of journals, articles, languages, subjects and authors as well as availability in printed and electronic formats. Two countries in the Region (Egypt and Pakistan) contribute over 50% of the articles in the Index. About 90% of the articles are pu... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1840333 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1840333 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1840332&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F15 In the 20th century, Russian biomedical science experienced a decline from the blossom of the early years to a drastic state. Through the first decades of the USSR, it was transformed to suit the ideological requirements of a totalitarian state and biased directives of communist leadership. Later, depressing economic conditions and isolation from the international research community further impeded its development. Contemporary Russia has inherited a system of medical education quite different from the west as well as counterproductive regulations for the allocation of research funding. The methodology of medical and epidemiological research in Russia is largely outdated. Epidemiology continues to focus on infectious disease and results of the best studies tend to be published in internati... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1840332 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1840332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1840331&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F16 Epidemiology and public health are usually context-specific. Journals published in different languages and countries play a role both as sources of data and as channels through which evidence is incorporated into local public health practice. Databases in these languages facilitate access to relevant journals, and professional education in these languages facilitates the growth of native expertise in epidemiology and public health. However, as English has become the lingua franca of scientific communication in the era of globalisation, many journals published in non-English languages face the difficult dilemma of either switching to English and competing internationally, or sticking to the native tongue and having a restricted circulation among a local readership. This paper discusses the ... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1840331 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1840331 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1840330&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F17 No abstract available (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1840330 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1840330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1840329&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F18 The objective of this paper is to facilitate the access to the public health and epidemiology literature available in Portuguese speaking countries. It was found that it is particularly concentrated in Brazil, with some few examples in Portugal and none in other Portuguese speaking countries. This literature is predominantly written in Portuguese, but also in other languages such as English or Spanish. The paper describes the several journals, as well as the bibliographic databases that index these journals and how to access them. Most journals provide open-access with direct links in the indexing databases. The importance of this scientific production for the development of epidemiology as a scientific discipline and as a basic discipline for public health practice is discussed. To margin... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1840329 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1840329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1840328&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F19 In conclusion, significant research is published in the Chinese literature, which is relevant for local control measures and global scientific knowledge. Open access should be encouraged and language barriers removed so the wealth of Chinese research can be more fully appreciated by the scientific community. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1840328 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1840328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1840327&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F20 This article therefore provides an overview of the contemporary scene in Chinese biomedical journal publication, Chinese bibliographic databases and Chinese journals in epidemiology, preventive medicine and public health. The challenge of switching to English as the medium of publication, the development of publishing bibliometric data from Chinese databases, the prospect of an Open Access publication model in China, the issue of language bias in literature reviews and the quality of Chinese journals are discussed. Epidemiologists are encouraged to search the Chinese bibliographic databases for Chinese journal articles. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1840327 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1840327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1840326&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F21 The thematic series 'Beyond English: Accessing the global epidemiological literature' in Emerging Themes in Epidemiology highlights the wealth of epidemiological and public health literature in the major languages of the world, and the bibliographic databases through which they can be searched and accessed. This editorial suggests that all systematic reviews in epidemiology and public health should include literature published in the major languages of the world and that the use of regional and non-English bibliographic databases should become routine. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1840326 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1840326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1663397&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F10 There is a multiplicity of journals originating in Spain and the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (SSLAC) in the health sciences of relevance to the fields of epidemiology and public health. While the subject matter of epidemiology in Spain shares many features with its neighbours in Western Europe, many aspects of epidemiology in Latin America are particular to that region. There are also distinctive theoretical and philosophical approaches to the study of epidemiology and public health arising from traditions such as the Latin American social medicine movement, of which there may be limited awareness. A number of online bibliographic databases are available which focus primarily on health sciences literature arising in Spain and Latin America, the most promin... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1663397 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1663397 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1663396&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F11 DiscussionOur findings show that even in the most extreme situations, where 15% of the female population was raped, where HIV prevalence among assailants was 8 times the country population prevalence, and where the HIV transmission rate was highest at 4 times the average high rate, widespread rape increased the absolute HIV prevalence of these countries by only 0.023%. These projections support the finding that widespread rape in conflict-affected countries in SSA has not incurred a major direct population-level change in HIV prevalence. However, this must not be interpreted to say that widespread rape does not pose serious problems to women's acquisition of HIV on an individual basis or in specific settings. Furthermore, direct and indirect consequences of sexual violence, such as physica... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1663396 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1663396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1634315&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F7 Conclusion: Cluster designs discussed in this paper may offer substantial time and cost savings compared to the traditional 30 × 30 design, and may provide acceptable levels of precision when measuring outcomes that have high intracluster homogeneity. Further investigation is required to determine whether these designs can consistently provide accurate point estimates for key outcomes of interest. Organizations conducting cluster surveys in emergency settings need to build their technical capacity in survey design to be able to calculate context-specific sample sizes individually for each planned survey. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1634315 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1634315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1417385&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F6 In this study, we compare the precision, time and cost of the 30x30 cluster survey with two alternative sampling designs: a 33x6 cluster design (33 clusters, 6 observations per cluster) and a 67x3 cluster design (67 clusters, 3 observations per cluster). Data for each sampling design were collected concurrently in West Darfur, Sudan in September-October 2005 in an emergency setting. Results of the study show the 30x30 design to provide more precise results (i.e. narrower 95% confidence intervals) than the 33x6 and 67x3 design for most child-level indicators. Exceptions are indicators of immunization and vitamin A capsule supplementation coverage which show a high intra-cluster correlation. Although the 33x6 and 67x3 designs provide wider confidence intervals than the 30x30 design for child... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1417385 Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1417385 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1257519&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F5 Tu et al present an analysis of the equivalence of three paradoxes, namely, Simpson's, Lord's, and the suppression phenomena. They conclude that all three simply reiterate the occurrence of a change in the association of any two variables when a third variable is statistically controlled for. This is not surprising because reversal or change in magnitude is common in conditional analysis. At the heart of the phenomenon of change in magnitude, with or without reversal of effect estimate, is the question of which to use: the unadjusted (combined table) or adjusted (sub-table) estimate. Hence, Simpson's paradox and related phenomena are a problem of covariate selection and adjustment (when to adjust or not) in the causal analysis of non-experimental data. It cannot be overemphasized that alth... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1257519 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1257519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1247676&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F4 Social epidemiologists have drawn attention to health inequalities as avoidable and inequitable, encouraging thinking beyond proximal risk factors to the causes of the causes. However, key debates remain unresolved including the contribution of material and psychosocial pathways to health inequalities. Tools to operationalise social factors have not developed in tandem with conceptual frameworks, and research has often remained focused on the disadvantaged rather than on forces shaping population health across the distribution. Using the example of transport, we argue that closer attention to social processes (capital accumulation and motorisation) and social forms (commodity, corporation, and car) offers a way forward. Corporations tied to the car, primarily oil and vehicle manufacturers,... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1247676 Thu, 21 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1247676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1188250&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F3 Conclusion: This study provides further doubt on the appropriateness of considering wealth indices as proxies for consumption expenditure. The choice of data included had a greater influence on the wealth index than the method used to weight the data. Despite the limitations of PCA, alternative methods also all had disadvantages, and there appears to be little reason to advocate the alternative weighting methods explored here. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1188250 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1188250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1169066&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F2 This article discusses three statistical paradoxes that pervade epidemiological research: Simpson's paradox, Lord's paradox, and suppression. These paradoxes have important implications for the interpretation of evidence from observational studies. This article uses hypothetical scenarios to illustrate how the three paradoxes are different manifestations of one phenomenon - the reversal paradox - depending on whether the outcome and explanatory variables are categorical, continuous or a combination of both; this renders the issues and remedies for any one to be similar for all three. Although the three statistical paradoxes occur in different types of variables, they share the same characteristic: the association between two variables can be reversed, diminished, or enhanced when another v... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1169066 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1169066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=963840&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F15 This study aimed to estimate the proportion of pertussis transmission due to casual contact using demographic and clinical data from a study of 95 infant pertussis cases and their close contacts enrolled at 14 hospitals in France, Germany, Canada, and the United States between February 2003 and September 2004. A complete case analysis was conducted, as well as multiple imputation (MI) analysis to account for missing data for participants and close contacts who did not participate. Using MI analysis (considering all possible close contacts), we estimated that 66% of source cases were close contacts, implying that the minimum attributable proportion of infant cases due to transmission from casual contact with community members was 34% (95% CI = 24% - 44%). Estimates from the complete case an... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=963840 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:00:00 +0100 963840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=717632&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F14 Conclusions: The variation in rates between registers and hospital catchment area may have resulted in part from differences in case ascertainment, and this should be taken into account in geographical epidemiological studies of environmental exposures. The absence of evidence for variation below this level should be interpreted cautiously in view of the low power of general heterogeneity tests. Nevertheless, the data suggest that strong localised clusters in congenital anomalies are uncommon, so clusters around specific putative environmental hazards are remarkable when observed. Negative binomial models applied at successive hierarchical levels provide an approach of intermediate complexity to characterising geographical heterogeneity. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=717632 Fri, 06 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 717632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=680932&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F6 Conclusion: This paper describes the conceptual reasoning behind the construction of the survey sample and shows that it can be advantageous to choose clusters using reasoned hypotheses, based on both probability and geographical approaches, in contrast to a conventional, random cluster selection strategy. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=680932 Fri, 01 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 680932 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=680931&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F11 In this paper we explore the strengths and gaps among NGO surveys based on an analysis of the records held in the CE-DAT database at CRED. We conclude by recommending the priority areas for strengthening NGO capacity to undertake surveys and ways to improve data quality in general. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=680931 Fri, 01 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 680931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=608453&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F3 The study of inequities in health is a critical component of monitoring government obligations to uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples. In Aotearoa/New Zealand the indigenous Maori population has a substantially younger age structure than the non-indigenous population making it necessary to account for age differences when comparing population health outcomes. An age-standardised rate is a summary measure of a rate that a population would have if it had a standard age structure. Changing age standards have stimulated interest in the potential impact of population standards on disparities data and consequently on health policy. This paper compares the age structure of the Maori and non-Maori populations with two standard populations commonly used in New Zealand: Segis world and WHO world... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=608453 Mon, 14 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 608453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=525856&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F1 We describe how the results of age-at-onset studies of environmental risk factors reflect the underlying structure of the source population, rather than an association with age-at-onset, by contrasting the effects of coffee drinking and cigarette smoking on Parkinson disease age-at-onset with the effects on age-at-enrollment in a population based study sample. Despite earlier evidence to suggest a protective association of coffee drinking and cigarette smoking with Parkinson disease risk, the age-at-onset results are comparable to the patterns observed in the population sample, and thus a causal inference from the age-at-onset effect may not be justified. Protective effects of multivitamin use on PD age-at-onset are also shown to be subject to a bias from the relationship between age and m... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=525856 Wed, 04 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 525856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=353085&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F19 Conclusion: Estimation of efficacy, attributable fraction and effectiveness leads to improved understanding of trial results, gives trial results greater external validity and is essential to determine the broader public health impact of circumcision to men and women. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=353085 Fri, 22 Dec 2006 07:00:00 +0100 353085 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=318987&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F18 Public health research and practice is faced with three problems: (1) a focus on disease instead of health, (2) consideration of risk factor/disease relationships one at a time, and (3) attention to individuals with limited regard for the communities in which they live. We propose a framework for health-focused research and practice. This framework encompasses individual and community pathways to health while incorporating the dynamics of context and overall population vulnerability and resilience. Individual pathways to health may differ, but commonalities will exist. By understanding these commonalities, communities can work to support health-promoting pathways in addition to removing barriers. The perspective afforded by viewing health as a dynamic process instead of as a collection of ... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=318987 Tue, 12 Dec 2006 07:00:00 +0100 318987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=218871&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F16 A rich and growing body of literature has emerged on ethics in epidemiologic research and public health practice. Recent articles have included conceptual frameworks of public health ethics and overviews of historical developments in the field. Several important topics in public health ethics have also been highlighted. Attention to ethical issues can facilitate the effective planning, implementation, and growth of a variety of public health programs and research activities. Public health ethics is consistent with the prevention orientation of public health. Ethical concerns can be anticipated or identified early and effectively addressed through careful analysis and consultation. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=218871 Tue, 03 Oct 2006 06:00:00 +0100 218871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=218873&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F14 Individuals might reasonably expect the freedom to make their own decisions regarding their health. However, what happens when an individual's wishes conflict with what is in that individual's best interests? How far should an individual's rights be restricted for his or her own benefit? Similarly, what limitations should be placed on an individual's behaviour when that person's wishes go against what is good for the population in general? Here we discuss the issues that can arise when the rights of individuals conflict with individual and population benefits in relation to infectious diseases. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=218873 Mon, 02 Oct 2006 06:00:00 +0100 218873 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=218872&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F15 The recent Immigration Bill debate in the United States Congress has again re-ignited the polemic regarding immigration policy. In this essay, I argue that disputes surrounding the legality of migrant workers highlight chronic, underlying problems related to factors that drive migration. The public health field, although concerned primarily with addressing the health needs of migrant populations, cannot remain disengaged from the wider debates about migration. The health needs of migrants, although in themselves important, are merely symptoms of deeper structural process that are intrinsically linked to equity and human rights, and simply focusing on health issues will be insufficient to address these societal pathologies. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=218872 Mon, 02 Oct 2006 06:00:00 +0100 218872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=215203&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F13 Modern public health strives for maximizing benefits for the highest number of people while protecting individual rights. Restrictions on individual rights are justified for two reasons - for the benefit of the individual or the benefit of the community. In extreme situations there may be a need to protect the health of an individual and particularly a child; even by overriding individual/parental autonomy. However, The American Academy of Pediatrics recently concluded that "Continued (vaccine) refusal after adequate discussion should be respected unless the child is put at significant risk of serious harm (as, for example, might be the case during an epidemic). Only then should state agencies be involved to override parental discretion on the basis of medical neglect". Many countries h... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=215203 Wed, 27 Sep 2006 06:00:00 +0100 215203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=215204&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F12 Individuals' free choices in vaccination do not guarantee social optimum since individuals' decision is based on imperfect information, and vaccination decision involves positive externality. Public policy of compulsory vaccination or subsidised vaccination aims to increase aggregate private demand closer to social optimum. However, there is controversy over the effectiveness of public intervention compared to the free choice outcome in vaccination, and this article provides a brief discussion on this issue. It can be summarised that individuals incentives to vaccination and accordingly their behavioural responses can greatly influence public policy's pursuit to control disease transmission, and compulsory (or subsidised) vaccination policy without incorporating such behavioural responses ... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=215204 Tue, 26 Sep 2006 06:00:00 +0100 215204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=145250&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F10 This study aims to estimate the number of partnerships that individuals make, their stability and the degree to which mixing is assortative with respect to age. We defined four levels of putative at-risk events from casual (physical contact without conversation) to intimate (contact of a sexual nature), and asked university student volunteers to record details on those they contacted at these levels on three separate days. We found that intimate contacts are stable over short time periods whereas there was no evidence of repeat casual contacts with the same individuals. The contacts were increasingly assortative as intimacy increased. Such information will aid the development and parameterisation of models of close contact diseases, and may have direct use in outbreak investigations. (Sour... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=145250 Mon, 14 Aug 2006 06:00:00 +0100 145250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=140453&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F9 We present an univariate time series analysis of pertussis, mumps, measles and rubella based on Box-Jenkins or ARIMA (autoregressive integrated moving average) modeling. The method, which allows to model the dependency structure embedded in the time series data, has potential research applications in a study of infectious disease dynamics. Canadian chronological series of pertussis, mumps, measles and rubella, before and after mass vaccination, are analyzed to characterize the statistical structure of these diseases. Despite the fact that these infectious diseases are biologically different, it is found that they all may be represented by simple models which have basically the same statistical structure. Aside from seasonal effects, the number of new cases is given by the incidence in the ... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=140453 Tue, 08 Aug 2006 06:00:00 +0100 140453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=115628&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F8 In their commentary on my paper Phillips and Goodman suggested that counterfactual causality and considerations on causality like those by Bradford Hill are only guideposts on the road to common sense. I argue that if common sense is understood to mean views that the vast majority of researchers share, Hills considerations did not lead to common sense in the past - precisely because they are so controversial. If common sense is taken to mean beliefs that are true, then Hills considerations can only lead to common sense in the simple causal systems they apply to. Counterfactuals, however, are largely common sense in the latter meaning. I suggest that the road of scientific endeavour should lead epidemiologic research toward sound strategies that equip researchers with skills to separate ca... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=115628 Wed, 19 Jul 2006 06:00:00 +0100 115628 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=104869&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F7 Diagnostic test evaluations are susceptible to random and systematic error. Simulated non-differential random error for six different error distributions was evaluated for its effect on measures of diagnostic accuracy for a brucellosis competitive ELISA. Test results were divided into four categories: =0.50 proportions inhibition for calculation of likelihood ratios and diagnostic odds ratios. Larger variance components of the error structure result in larger accuracy attenuations as measured by the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve and systematic components appeared to cause little bias. Added error caused point estimates of likelihood ratios to be biased towards the null value (1.0) for all categories except 0.25 - 0.349. Results for the 0.35 - 0.499 category also ex... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=104869 Mon, 17 Jul 2006 06:00:00 +0100 104869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=90440&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F6 Conclusions: Regression calibration in its most well-known form is not appropriate for measurement error correction when the exposure is analyzed on a percentile scale. Relating back to the original scale of the exposure solves the problem. The conclusion regards all regression models. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=90440 Tue, 04 Jul 2006 06:00:00 +0100 90440 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=87480&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F6 Conclusions: Regression calibration in its most well-known form is not appropriate for measurement error correction when the exposure is analyzed on a percentile scale. Relating back to the original scale of the exposure solves the problem. The conclusion regards all regression models. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=87480 Tue, 04 Jul 2006 06:00:00 +0100 87480 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=37092&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F5 Two persistent myths in epidemiology are that we can use a list of "causal criteria" to provide an algorithmic approach to inferring causation and that a modern "counterfactual model" can assist in the same endeavor. We argue that these are neither criteria nor a model, but that lists of causal considerations and formalizations of the counterfactual definition of causation are nevertheless useful tools for promoting scientific thinking. They set us on the path to the common sense of scientific inquiry, including testing hypotheses (really putting them to a test, not just calculating simplistic statistics), responding to the Duhem-Quine problem, and avoiding many common errors. Austin Bradford Hill's famous considerations are thus both over-interpreted by those who would use them as criteri... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=37092 Fri, 26 May 2006 06:00:00 +0100 37092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4208&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F4 Conclusions: The low hospitalisation rates for foreigners may suggest that they are a population with good health status. However, critical areas, related to poor living and working conditions and to social vulnerability, have been identified. Under-utilisation of services and low day care rates may be partially due to administrative, linguistic, and cultural barriers. As the presence of foreigners becomes an established phenomenon, it is important to evaluate their epidemiological profile, develop instruments to monitor and fulfil their specific health needs and plan health services for a multi-ethnic population. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4208 Thu, 11 May 2006 06:00:00 +0100 4208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4209&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F3 Currently, migrants and other mobile individuals, such as migrant workers and asylum seekers, are an expanding global population of growing social, demographic and political importance. Disparities often exist between a migrant populations place of origin and its destination, particularly with relation to health determinants. The effects of those disparities can be observed at both individual and population levels. Migration across health and disease disparities influences the epidemiology of certain diseases globally and in nations receiving migrants. While specific disease-based outcomes may vary between migrant group and location, general epidemiological principles may be applied to any situation where numbers of individuals move between differences in disease prevalence. Traditionally,... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4209 Thu, 04 May 2006 06:00:00 +0100 4209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4210&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F2 Conclusions: The sib-recruitment design is robust and has been adopted in the main study. It is possible that simple urban-rural study designs under-estimate the true differences in diabetes risk between migrants and non-migrants. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4210 Mon, 13 Mar 2006 07:00:00 +0100 4210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4211&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F1 Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the causal criteria as described in textbooks and the Surgeon General reports can have variable interpretations and applications in practice. While the authors of these reports may have considered evidential factors that they did not explicitly cite, such lack of transparency of methods undermines the purpose of the causal criteria to promote objective, evidence-based decision making. Further empirical study and critical examination of the process by which causal conclusions are reached can play an important role in advancing the practice of epidemiology by helping public health scientists to better understand the practice of causal inference. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4211 Tue, 10 Jan 2006 07:00:00 +0100 4211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4212&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F2%2F1%2F12 DiscussionThree case studies focused on Sudan, Uganda and Guinea describe what the media reported and why the reports were incomplete, misleading or incorrect. The exploration of possible ways to ensure that the media do not unwittingly inflame delicate and complicated situations of HIV among conflict-affected and displaced populations is then undertaken using epidemiological and journalistic principles. The discussion is divided into four sections: 1) Avoid stigmatising statements and ensure a balanced view; 2) Avoid accurate but misleading statements; 3) Avoid inaccurate statements by clearly stating sources and verifying their credibility; and 4) Do not repeat data and conclusions from other news sources without checking their accuracy. The aim of this manuscript is to stimulate awarene... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4212 Tue, 13 Dec 2005 07:00:00 +0100 4212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4213&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F2%2F1%2F11 Bradford Hill's considerations published in 1965 had an enormous influence on attempts to separate causal from non-causal explanations of observed associations. These considerations were often applied as a checklist of criteria, although they were by no means intended to be used in this way by Hill himself. Hill, however, avoided defining explicitly what he meant by "causal effect".This paper provides a fresh point of view on Hill's considerations from the perspective of counterfactual causality. I argue that counterfactual arguments strongly contribute to the question of when to apply the Hill considerations. Some of the considerations, however, involve many counterfactuals in a broader causal system, and their heuristic value decreases as the complexity of a system increases; the danger ... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4213 Thu, 03 Nov 2005 07:00:00 +0100 4213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F2%2F1%2F10 A new scientific discipline arose in the late 20th century known as biodemography. When applied to aging, biodemography is the scientific study of common age patterns and causes of death observed among humans and other sexually reproducing species and the biological forces that contribute to them. Biodemography is interdisciplinary, involving a combination of the population sciences and such fields as molecular and evolutionary biology. Researchers in this emerging field have discovered attributes of aging and death in humans that may very well change the way epidemiologists view and study the causes and expression of disease. In this paper, the biodemography of aging is introduced in light of traditional epidemiologic models of disease causation and death. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epid... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214 Fri, 30 Sep 2005 06:00:00 +0100 4214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4215&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F2%2F1%2F9 We describe the key parameters that determine the impact of therapy, and argue that mathematical models of disease transmission are the natural framework within which to explore the interaction between antiviral use and the dynamics of an HIV epidemic. Our review focuses on the potential effects of ART in resource-poor settings. We discuss choice of model type and structure, the potential for risk behaviour change following widespread introduction of ART, the importance of the stage of HIV infection at which treatment is initiated, and the potential for spread of drug resistance. These issues are illustrated with results from models of HIV transmission. We demonstrate that HIV transmission models predicting the impact of ART use should incorporate a realistic progression through stages of ... Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4215 Sat, 10 Sep 2005 06:00:00 +0100 4215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4216&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F2%2F1%2F8 Conclusion: Reporting of observational studies of medical treatments was often inadequate to compare study designs or allow other meaningful interpretation of results. All observational studies should report details of treatment, outcome assessment, patient characteristics, and confounding assessment. (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4216 Thu, 01 Sep 2005 06:00:00 +0100 4216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4217&cid=s_33115_54_f&fid=33115&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ete-online.com%2Fcontent%2F2%2F1%2F7 None (Source: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology) Emerging Themes in Epidemiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4217 Thu, 21 Jul 2005 06:00:00 +0100 4217