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Epidemiological Methods in Studies of Symptoms in Advanced Disease
Author Bios
Why Study Advanced Disease?
Why Epidemiology?
Currently selected selection: Incidence and Prevalence
Using Incidence and Prevalence
Definition of a Case
Defining Time, Place, Person
Types of Study Design
Cross-Sectional Studies
Longitudinal Studies
Measurement
Bias
Selection Bias
Measurement Bias
Presenting and Interpreting Results
Practical Example
Calculating Prevalence
Conclusion


Chapter 19: Epidemiological Methods in Studies of Symptoms in Advanced Disease: Incidence and Prevalence
         

Figure 3.1: Breathlessness Journal
Graphic depiction of breathlessness journal

In this study five patients free from breathlessness were followed for 6 days before and after admission in a palliative care program. Patients were admitted to the palliative care program on day 2. Breathlessness was measured throughout this period. The lines in the table show, for each patient, when breathlessness (B) occurred.

Question 3.1: The incidence of breathlessness is four patients out of five, or 80%.

Question 3.2: The point prevalence on day two is 3/5, or 60%.

Question 3.3: The period prevalence is four patients out of five, or 80%.

Question 3.4: The incidence is one patient out of five with new breathlessness between days three and five, hence 20%.

Question 3.5: The period prevalence of breathlessness between days three and five is three patients out of five, or 60%.

Question 3.6: The point prevalence of breathlessness at the beginning of day five is two patients out of five, or 40%

 

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