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Figure
5.1: Cases of Breathlessness
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As
in the hypothetical study of breathlessness in Problem 3.1, consider
five patients followed for 6 days before and after admission in
a palliative care program. This time, however, you are given the
severity of breathlessness in terms of a Likert scale from 1 (mild
breathlessness) to 4 (overwhelming breathlessness). For this exercise
a "case" of severe breathlessness is defined as a score
of 3 or 4.
Question 5.1 The incidence of severe breathlessness
in the first two days is three patients out of five, or 60%.
Question 5.2 The point prevalence of severe breathlessness
at the beginning of day two is three patients out of five, or
60%.
Question 5.3 The period prevalence of severe
breathlessness in the first two days is three patients out of
five, or 60%.
Question 5.4 The incidence is 20% (one patient)
because patient #5 goes from mild breathlessness to severe breathlessness
at this time.
Question 5.5 The period prevalence of severe breathlessness
between days three and five is 20% (one patient).
Question 5.6 The point prevalence of severe breathlessness
at the beginning of day six is 20% (one patient).
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