Epidemiological Analysis and Study Designs: Mortality Rates, Cancer Registries, and Antioxidant Intake Study

Question 1:

The table below shows hypothetical mortality data by age groups in a population at two different periods.

• “Compare the crude mortality rate per 100,000 people in eachperiod.Which period has the higher mortality rate? In your answer about the comparison use rate ratio and rate difference. (You need to show all the calculations steps not just give the final correct answer) [4 marks]

• “Calculate the direct age-standardised mortality rate; the standard population is the sum of the two periods as in the Table above. (i.e., for age 30-49 it is 500,000+300,00=800,000)

Is the age-standardised mortality rate different from the crude rate, and in what way?(You need to show all the calculation steps not just give the final correct answer)[4 marks]”

• “How can you explain the differences between crude mortality and age-standardised mortality, back up your answer with data from the table and no more than 100 words are needed to explain it [6 marks]”

Question 2

“Cancer registries have been established in many countries In 1985. All these registries used similar protocols for the ‘case definition’ of each type of cancer. This figure has been generated based on data retrieved from cancer registries and population data on meat consumption in each countries.”

1. “Summarisein your own words what the research question the epidemiologists wish to answer and what this figure tells us(no more than 100 words!). [4 marks]”

1. “What is the study design that produces such a figure, justify your answer and indicate the main advantage and shortcoming of this design (use dot points [4Marks]”

1. “If you are asked to choose a different observational study design that explores the same research question what will you choose, and justify your choice. [4 Marks]”

Question 3

“Dietary antioxidant intake (Vitamin A and Vitamin E) was hypothesised as substances that may protect against colon cancer. To explore this hypothesis 120,000 people, aged 20-70 years, were randomly selected from the total population of Melbourne in 1987 and invited to join the study. 110,700 of those invited agreed to participate. Measures of their age, socio-demographic characteristics, height, weight, dietary intake and health risk factors (including smoking, exercise and stress) were taken at the start of the study, and every two years thereafter. Ten years later, study researchers were still in contact with 64% of the study population and still collecting data from them. Outcome data (cancer episode and site) were available for 97% of the original study population from the Victorian Cancer Registry. The study found that the risk of cancer was 2% lower, in absolute terms, among people with a higher intake (the minimum daily recommended intake) of anti-oxidant vitamins, compared to those with lower intakes.”

1. “What study type/design is the paragraph described and why do you think this is the type (justify your answer with no more than 60 words!!) [4 marks]”

1. “What is the research question or hypothesis that the study attempts to answer, what is the exposure factor and what is the outcome (no more than 40 words).[4 marks]”

1. “What other study design you can consider for this research question and explain why you chose it.[4 Marks]”

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