Textbook of Epidemiology

by Lex Bouter, Maurice Zeegers, Tianjing Li

Overview

TEXTBOOK OF EPIDEMIOLOGY

The gold standard in epidemiological texts

In the second edition of Textbook of Epidemiology, a distinguished team of researchers deliver an extensively updated and comprehensive exploration of epidemiological methods, illuminating the tools for studying the distribution and risk factors of health states and events in populations.

• An introduction to epidemiological methods with recent and broadly applicable examples
• End-of-chapter self-assessment questions for readers to check their understanding of key concepts, with answer keys and further enrichment materials available on a companion website
• A brand-new chapter covering methods for systematic review and meta-analysis
• Accessible material appropriate for clinical practitioners and researchers from around the world

Perfect for professionals working in clinical medicine and public health, Textbook of Epidemiology will also earn a place in the libraries of allied health professionals seeking a one-stop resource or to reimmerse themselves in specific methodological topics and practices.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781119776024
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	01/04/2023
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Lex Bouter, PhD, is a tenured chair in Methodology and Integrity in the Department of Epidemiology and Data Science of the Amsterdam University Medical Centers, and in the Department of Philosophy of the Faculty of Humanities of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Maurice Zeegers, MBA, PhD, is a tenured Professor at the Department of Epidemiology at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. He is the former Head of the School of Public Health and the former Chair and Vice-Chair of the Dutch and European Associations of Epidemiology, respectively.

Tianjing Li, MD, MHS, PhD, is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Table of Contents

Preface xi

About the companion website xiii

1 Epidemiology 1

1.1 What is epidemiology? 2

1.2 Developments in epidemiology 7

1.3 Developments in the discipline itself 10

Recommended reading 11

Knowledge assessment questions 12

2 Frequency 13

2.1 Definition of health outcomes 14

2.2 Definition of disease 14

2.3 Disease frequency: existing or new cases of disease 17

2.4 Populations 17

2.5 The concept of time 18

2.6 Measures of outcome frequency 19

2.7 Continuous measures of health outcomes 27

Recommended reading 30

Knowledge assessment questions 30

3 Association 31

3.1 The epidemiological function describes the association between health outcomes and explanatory factors 32

3.2 Measures of association for dichotomous outcomes 34

3.3 Measures of association for continuous outcomes 41

3.4 Regression analysis 43

Recommended reading 44

Knowledge assessment questions 44

4 Study Design 47

4.1 Introduction: the research question determines the design 48

4.2 Randomized experiment as the paradigm for establishing a causal relationship 52

4.3 Observational study designs 55

Recommended reading 63

Knowledge assessment questions 63

5 Precision and Validity 65

5.1 Introduction 66

5.2 Systematic and random errors 66

5.3 Precision 66

5.4 Validity 69

5.5 Effect modification 92

5.6 External validity 95

5.7 Validity, reliability, and responsiveness of instruments 97

Recommended reading 99

Knowledge assessment questions 99

Notes 100

6 Etiology and Causality 101

6.1 Introduction 102

6.2 Causality 106

6.3 Applications 113

Recommended reading 114

Knowledge assessment questions 114

Notes 115

7 Genetic Epidemiology 117

7.1 Introduction 118

7.2 Family-based studies 120

7.3 Association studies 124

7.4 Precision medicine 129

7.5 Mendelian randomization 129

7.6 Reporting guidelines 131

Recommended reading 131

Knowledge assessment questions 131

8 Outbreak Epidemioloty 133

8.1 Introduction 134

8.2 Surveillance for early warning 137

8.3 Study designs for research into outbreaks 141

8.4 Stepwise approach to outbreak investigation 147

8.5 Interpreting data on supposed outbreaks remains difficult 151

8.6 Other approaches to studying outbreaks and clusters 152

References 156

Recommended reading 156

Knowledge assessment questions 156

9 Diagnostic and Prognostic Research 159

9.1 Introduction 161

9.2 Validity and reproducibility of diagnostic tests 163

9.3 Measures of validity of diagnostic tests 167

9.4 Measures of reproducibility of diagnostic tests 180

9.5 Guidelines for diagnostic research 184

9.6 Prognostic research 184

9.7 Guidelines for prognostic research 187

9.8 An example 187

Recommended reading 188

Knowledge assessment questions 189

10 Intervention 191

10.1 Introduction 192

10.2 The research question 192

10.3 Data from RCTs are analyzed to produce a valid estimate of effect 202

10.4 Assessing harms of interventions 203

Recommended reading 205

Knowledge assessment questions 205

11 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis 207

11.1 Introduction 208

11.2 Steps in completing a systematic review 209

11.3 Where can systematic reviews be found? 217

11.4 Other review types 217

11.5 Using a systematic review 218

Recommended reading 218

Knowledge assessment questions 219

Answers to knowledge assessment questions 221

Index 233