Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “EPIDEMIOLOGY”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

A genetic-epidemiologic study of human immune responsiveness to allergens in an industrial population: I. Epidemiology of reported allergy and skin-test positivity.

Four hundred six subjects, comprising a 10% random sample of all employees, and a sample of "self-reported" allergic employees of a light industrial plant participated in an epidemiologic study of allergy. Puncture skin testing with a wide variety of crude allergens revealed a significantly higher prevalence of IgE-mediated sensitivity in males than females (29% males and 7% females in a random group; 60% males and 30% females in a self-reported allergic group); however, reported prevalence rates for "allergy" and different allergic symptoms were generally not different between males and females. Interestingly, reported asthma was greater in skin-test-positive subjects than in skin-test-negative subjects. We also noted a decrease in skin-test positivity with increasing age in self-reported allergic subjects. This was significant in the case of several crude allergens but not in the case of positivity to at least one allergen. We also found evidence that people born in and who have been resident in "Zone I) (MD, PA, Del, NJ, or DC) for most of their lives exhibit a greater prevalence of skin-test positivity than people who were born in and have lived for much of their lives in the northeastern United States (east of the Mississippi River and to the north of South Carolina) other than in Zone I.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Epidemiology of prolapse and incontinence questionnaire: validation of a new epidemiologic survey.

The epidemiology of prolapse and incontinence questionnaire (EPIQ) was developed to screen for female pelvic floor disorders (PFD). Content and face validity, reliability, internal consistency and criterion validity of the EPIQ to detect the presence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), stress urinary incontinence (SUI), overactive bladder (OAB) and anal incontinence (AI) is presented. Cronbach's alpha; Spearman's, kappa, intraclass correlations, factor analysis and Chi-Squared tests were used for analysis. Questions related to PFD proved internally consistent (alpha = 0.91) and reproducible (correlations >0.70) for all but three items on the EPIQ. Positive and negative predictive values of the EPIQ to detect PFD were: POP = 76% and 97%, SUI = 88% and 87%, OAB = 77% and 90% and AI = 61% and 91% respectively. EPIQ is a psychometrically validated screening instrument that may identify women at high risk of having pelvic floor disorders in large undiagnosed populations.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 infection in a small Brazilian county: usefulness of envelope and polymerase sequences to epidemiologic studies.

OBJECTIVE: The AIDS epidemic in Brazil is spreading from the large urban centers to small counties and the innermost parts of the country; however, data on the features of HIV-1 infection in these places are scarce. To study the routes of HIV-1 spread and assess the existence of transmission networks in such a setting, we performed a genetic analysis of viral sequences from the small county of Miracema, Rio de Janeiro State. METHODS: HIV-1 envelope and polymerase sequences recovered from 63 adult patients (from a cohort of 78 patients) were phylogenetically analyzed. RESULTS: A polyphyletic pattern ensued. Six clusters of sequences sharing close genetic relatedness were also recovered from 29 (46%) patients. Envelope and polymerase phylogenies yielded essentially the same results. CONCLUSIONS: The polyphyletic pattern suggests multiple viral introductions in the region. Intracluster cases, including those with no known direct epidemiologic link, probably took part in the same chain of viral transmission. Such a pattern suggests the existence of sexual networks and the emergence of multiple new infections within a relatively short period, a potential molecular marker of high incidence.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1984

Epidemiological investigations into multiple sclerosis in southern Hesse. I. Methodological problems and basic epidemiologic characteristics.

An epidemiological field-survey on multiple sclerosis (MS) was carried out in the southern part of the state of Hesse (West Germany). Out of 472 patients primarily ascertained, 75% could finally be accepted as definite or probable MS cases. Cross-checking of the 3 sources for case-finding (practitioners and specialists, neurological hospital, MS society) revealed that case-finding in all and especially that of definite and probable MS cases was rather complete. The overall prevalence rate was 58.3, the annual incidence 2.15 and the mortality rate 2.0 per 100,000. Male patients showed a faster course than females. The prevalence in immigrants who mostly originated from Mediterranean countries, was significantly lower (14.3 per 100,000) than the prevalence in the German population (63.1 per 100,000).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Recreational and occupational field exposure to freshwater cyanobacteria--a review of anecdotal and case reports, epidemiological studies and the challenges for epidemiologic assessment.

Cyanobacteria are common inhabitants of freshwater lakes and reservoirs throughout the world. Under favourable conditions, certain cyanobacteria can dominate the phytoplankton within a waterbody and form nuisance blooms. Case reports and anecdotal references dating from 1949 describe a range of illnesses associated with recreational exposure to cyanobacteria: hay fever-like symptoms, pruritic skin rashes and gastro-intestinal symptoms are most frequently reported. Some papers give convincing descriptions of allergic reactions while others describe more serious acute illnesses, with symptoms such as severe headache, pneumonia, fever, myalgia, vertigo and blistering in the mouth. A coroner in the United States found that a teenage boy died as a result of accidentally ingesting a neurotoxic cyanotoxin from a golf course pond. This death is the first recorded human fatality attributed to recreational exposure to cyanobacteria, although uncertainties surround the forensic identification of the suspected cyanotoxin in this case. We systematically reviewed the literature on recreational exposure to freshwater cyanobacteria. Epidemiological data are limited, with six studies conducted since 1990. Statistically significant increases in symptoms were reported in individuals exposed to cyanobacteria compared to unexposed counterparts in two Australian cohort studies, though minor morbidity appeared to be the main finding. The four other small studies (three from the UK, one Australian) did not report any significant association. However, the potential for serious injury or death remains, as freshwater cyanobacteria under bloom conditions are capable of producing potent toxins that cause specific and severe dysfunction to hepatic or central nervous systems. The exposure route for these toxins is oral, from ingestion of recreational water, and possibly by inhalation.A range of freshwater microbial agents may cause acute conditions that present with features that resemble illnesses attributed to contact with cyanobacteria and, conversely, acute illness resulting from exposure to cyanobacteria or cyanotoxins in recreational waters could be misdiagnosed. Accurately assessing exposure to cyanobacteria in recreational waters is difficult and unreliable at present, as specific biomarkers are unavailable. However, diagnosis of cyanobacteria-related illness should be considered for individuals presenting with acute illness following freshwater contact if a description is given of a waterbody visibly affected by planktonic mass development.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed2006

Progress of epidemiological and molecular epidemiological studies on benzene in China.

Benzene is an organic solvent that has been used in industry for about 100 years throughout the world. Since 1973, a series of toxicological and molecular epidemiological studies on benzene were conducted by researchers at the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine (CAPM) (1973-1986) and subsequently by a collaboration between the CAPM and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the United States that began in 1986, which was joined by investigators from the University of California at Berkeley, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and New York University. The findings demonstrated that the risk of leukemia and lymphoma among benzene-exposed workers was significantly increased, with elevated risks for leukemia present not only at higher exposure but also among workers exposed to under 10 ppm. Therefore, the benzene permissible level was decreased to 1.8 ppm (6 mg/m(3)) and benzene-induced leukemia is treated as an occupational cancer in China. The benzene permissible level is 1.0 in the United States and in several other developed countries and it has been suggested to be decreased to 0.5 ppm (ACGIH). A number of potential biomarkers are related to benzene exposure and poisoning. Some of these are benzene oxide-protein adducts, chromosome aberration of lymphocytes, and GPA mutations in erythrocytes, a decrease in B cell and CD4(-)T cell counts in peripheral blood, and altered expression of CXCL16, ZNF331, JUN, and PF4 in lymphocytes. Variation in multiple benzene metabolizing genes may be associated with risk of benzene hematotoxicity, including CYP2E1, MPO, NQO1, and GSTT1.

Benzene↗
PubMed2000

Molecular epidemiology: the impact of molecular biology in epidemiology research.

Progress in molecular biology and genetics is changing the practice of medicine and public health through the development of molecular diagnostics and targeted interventions for susceptible individuals. The ethical, legal and social issues that are becoming apparent as these important discoveries are introduced into practice will have an enormous impact on society. The accurate translation of this new genetic information from the laboratory to the community is an urgent need. Molecular epidemiology is at the foundation of this important link, and represents the scientific basis of public health for the 21st Century.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1992

[From epidemiology to social epidemiology in dentistry. The example of caries].

Today, we know the caries aetiology and prevention rather well. We also know that caries-related levels of dental health are inequitably distributed among social classes: on the average, disadvantaged people experience higher DMFS then privileged people. This difference can be explained by a differential access to health care, which can be shown by the study of components of the DMFS index: proportion of filled surfaces (F/DMFS), proportion of missing surfaces (M/DMFS), and proportion of recurrent caries (secondary caries/filled surfaces). Though we are able to describe the social distribution of levels of dental care, we cannot "explain" the differences we observe. The explanation of those differences defines the field of social epidemiology. This consists in determining the social aetiology of diseases, starting from social determinants of attitudes and behaviors influencing health.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Epidemiologic studies using computerized data bases. III. Various examples of epidemiological studies using computerized data bases].

Three epidemiological observational studies, utilising data from the computerized data base at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh, are presented: the association between tail injuries and docking in dogs; a study of breed and sex in relation to canine degenerative heart valve disease, the association between urinary incontinence and spaying in bitches.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in Hungary (comparative sero-epidemiologic study)].

In the last decade pathogenetical role of Helicobacter pylori infection has been proved in development of gastroduodenal alterations. DNA-RNA hybridisation and protein profile studies proved that Helicobacter pylori is an organism distinct from other bacteria. Therefore serology became a useful method to study the epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in various populations. In Hungary sera were collected from adults aged 20-60 in blood banks (Military Hospital, Tolna County Hospital) in 1993. The samples were classified in 5 year increment groups and questionnaires were filled out. Anti-H. pylori IgG were tested using Cobas Core kit (Roche Diagnostic). The overall rate of seropositivity was 63.3%. The prevalence according to age was the following: 20-24 yrs = 44%, 25-29 yrs = 40%, 30-34 yrs = 52%, 35-39 yrs = 64%, 40-44 yrs = 75%, 45-49 yrs = 73%, 50-54 yrs = 77%, 55-59 yrs = 83%. There were no statistical difference between gender, living in urban or rural areas at the time of collection or in childhood, between the level of education, type of labour or social status. However we found statistical correlation between anti-H. pylori seropositivity and epigastric symptoms. The same characteristics of Helicobacter pylori infection were found in Hungary as well as in other countries. In groups between 20 and 30 years has been proved lower prevalence in Hungary than in Poland, Bulgaria.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Epidemiology of type II diabetes mellitus and ageing of the population: health policy implications and recommendations for epidemiological research.

As the result of an increase in the ageing of the population and an expected rise in age-specific incidence, the number of elderly patients with diabetes mellitus will increase in most developed countries. However, in elderly diabetic patients, the difference in prevalence of late complications such as microalbuminuria, neuropathy and atherosclerosis with that in the normal population tends to disappear. In contrast retinopathy is a frequently occurring complication among elderly diabetics which does not appear in the normal population. As a result there will be an increase in demand for health care by the elderly diabetic population in future and epidemiological research can help find a solution to this problem. Estimation of the prevalence of known and unknown diabetes mellitus over time, and of the late complications, in different age groups is recommended. In addition, further research needs to be done on the risk factors for the age-related increase of glucose impairment and diabetes mellitus and on the risk factors for late complications in the elderly patient.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1997

Epidemiological factors affecting the severity of hepatitis C virus-related liver disease: a French survey of 6,664 patients. The Study Group for the Prevalence and the Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus.

Cirrhosis is a frequent and severe event in the course of chronic hepatitis C, but it is unclear why some patients develop cirrhosis after a given period whereas others do not. We studied a large cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis C to determine the role of the route of transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the onset of cirrhosis. Six thousand six hundred sixty-four patients were enrolled in a nationwide survey of chronic hepatitis C in France. We first randomly defined a representative sample of 30 hospitals with medical units managing patients with HCV infection. All patients with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled if hepatitis C was diagnosed or treated in these units in 1991, 1992, or 1993. A questionnaire was filled in from the patients' charts and covered demographic data, risk factors for HCV infection, clinical and histological data, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus status, and alcohol intake. Descriptive statistics were prepared, and factors potentially related to the onset of cirrhosis were identified by means of univariate analysis followed by stepwise logistic regression analysis. Among the patients enrolled, 21.4% had biopsy-proven cirrhosis. Prevalence of cirrhosis markedly varied according to the route of transmission of HCV. It was significantly more frequent in blood recipients (23.4%) than in drug users (7.0%). Although the occurrence of cirrhosis was dependent on disease duration, it remained more frequent in blood recipients than in drug users for a given duration. Apart from the route of transmission, excessive alcohol intake was also associated with a higher risk of cirrhosis (34.9% vs. 18.2%; P < .001), and so was HBV infection (24.6% vs. 21.1%; P < .05). These factors acted independently of the route of transmission. Hepatocellular carcinoma was observed in 3.6% of all patients and in 17.8% of cirrhotic patients, and its occurrence was strongly and mainly related to the presence of cirrhosis. In conclusion, cirrhosis occurred in about 20% of the HCV-infected patients in this study and was more frequent in blood recipients than in drug users, independently of disease duration. Expected changes in the epidemiology of HCV infection might modify the risk of developing cirrhosis and, thereafter, cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The epidemiology of anxiety disorders: the Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) experience.

According to the Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) study--one of the largest investigations of the prevalence of mental disorders ever conducted--anxiety disorders affect more than 7% of adults in the United States. Women, individuals under age 45, those who are separated or divorced, and those in low socioeconomic groups all have a higher rate of anxiety than individuals in other groups. This article will present prevalence rates of anxiety disorders based on data from the five ECA sites--New Haven, Conn; Baltimore, Md; St Louis, Mo; Durham, NC; and Los Angeles, Ca.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Molecular IDDM epidemiology: international studies. WHO DiaMond Molecular Epidemiology Sub-Project Group.

The WHO DiaMond Molecular Epidemiology Sub-Project is testing the hypothesis that the geographic differences in IDDM incidence reflect population variation in the frequency of IDDM susceptibility genes (i.e., DQA1 and DQB1 alleles with sequences coding for arginine (R) in position 52 of the DQ alpha-chain, and an amino acid other than aspartic acid (ND) in position 57 of the DQ beta-chain, respectively) using a standardized case-control design. Data from twelve populations which have completed (or have nearly completed) recruitment and HLA molecular analyses are presented. There was an approximate 2-fold increase in the frequencies of DGA1*0301, DQB1*0201 and DQB11*0302 among IDDM cases compared to non-diabetic controls in most populations. Interestingly, DQA*0301 was more common in low versus moderate-high incidence countries. DQB1*0201 and DQB1*0302 were more prevalent in the moderate-high incidence areas. DQA1*R and DQB1*ND were both consistent markers of IDDM risk, with stronger associations in moderate-high versus low incidence areas. In general, individuals homozygous for both DQA1*R and DQB1*ND had the highest genotype-specific IDDM incidence rates, which approximated risk estimates for first degree relatives in several countries. These data revealed considerable variation in the frequencies of DQB1 and DQA1 alleles across countries, which likely contribute to the global patterns of IDDM incidence.

Alleles↗
PubMed1996

Molecular epidemiology of IDDM in the Western Pacific Rim Region. WHO DiaMond Molecular Epidemiology Sub-Project Group.

HLA-DQA11 and DQB1 alleles coding for arginine (R) in position 52, and an amino acid other than aspartic acid (ND) in position 57, respectively, are strong genetic markers for IDDM in Caucasians. However, their contribution to the occurrence of the disease in Asian populations is less clear. As part of the WHO DiaMond Molecular Epidemiology Sub-Project, HLA-DQ molecular typing was performed for IDDM cases and non-diabetic controls from three populations in the Western Pacific Rim Region where incidence rates have been established (Hokkaido, Japan; Seoul, Korea; Auckland, New Zealand). DQA1*R homozygosity was significantly associated with IDDM in all areas. DQB1*ND homozygosity was also related to IDDM in Korea and New Zealand, but not in Japan. Individuals who were homozygous for DQA1*R and DQB1*ND were at highest IDDM risk in Korea and New Zealand, with the most striking findings in Auckland. In Japan, individuals carrying two DQA1*R, but only one DQB1*ND allele, were most likely to develop IDDM. These data revealed considerable genetic heterogeneity between Japan and Korea and suggest that DQA1*R and DQB1*ND alleles may explain a larger proportion of IDDM incidence in Caucasian compared to Asian populations.

Alleles↗
PubMed1998

Beyond strain typing and molecular epidemiology: integrated genetic epidemiology of infectious diseases.

In the past 20 years, genetic and molecular methods for characterizing pathogen strains have taken a major place in modern approaches to epidemiology of parasitic and other infectious diseases. Here, Michel Tibayrenc explains the main concepts used in this field of research, with special emphasis on the approaches developed in his team, and suggests future avenues to explore.

Journal Article↗