Epidemiology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Epidemiology, including details on twin studies, statistics, environmental and genetic factors. | ||||||
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When is the absence of evidence, evidence of absence? Use of equivalence-based analyses in genetic epidemiology and a conclusion for the KIF1B rs10492972*C allelic association in multiple sclerosis.Gourraud PA, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California. pierreantoine.gourraud@ucsf.edu. Statistical equivalence methods have been in development since the late 1980s in order to provide an appropriate statistical methodology to address nondifferences in biological experiments. This is analogous to genetic association studies in which a polymorphism "is not associated" with a trait. We applied the equivalence method to genetic data to confirm that an association between the KIF1B (kinesin family member1B) rs10492972 allele and multiple sclerosis (MS), reported in Nature Genetics in 2008, is present neither in eight data sets of cases and controls nor in three independent data sets of the International Multiple Sclerosis Genetic Consortium. When the data sets are considered together, a nonsuperiority test excludes the rs10492972*C allele as a major "risk" allele for MS with a high degree of confidence (P = 1.18 × 10(-4) ). We propose that equivalence methods are more appropriate for stating that a polymorphism does not contribute to disease susceptibility. If an equivalence test applied to genetic data sets fails to reveal an association based on standard methods, it demonstrates that there is no genetic association-i.e., the absence of evidence is evidence of absence. When reporting genetic association based on a cohort of a limited size, caution is needed regardless of how attractive the underlying biological rationale is. The data gathered for KIF1B in MS also underscore the need for very large sample sizes with the appropriate equivalence statistical methods in order to exclude reported false-positive results. Genet. Epidemiol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Published 19 May 2011 in Genet Epidemiol. Articles on Epidemiology published 19 May 2011: Burns in Sulaymaniyah Province, Iraq: Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Death in Patients Admitted to Hospital. J Burn Care Res. This retrospective study was undertaken to describe the epidemiology of burns in the province of Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan and investigate factors associated with mortality. Hospital records of all patients admitted to the Burns and Plastic Surgery Centre of Sulaymaniyah for a burn incident during the calendar year of 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 947 acute burn patients were admitted over the year (females 53.5%, males 46.5%) of which 41% were aged 0 to 14 years. Flame ... [Abstract] [Full-text] Introduction: A population-based observational study was used to assess the prevalence, demographics, risk factors, and costs of triptan overuse, defined as more than 30 (International Headache Society criteria) or 54 (stringent criteria) defined daily doses per 3 months. Methods: Analysis of the Dutch Health Care Insurance Board Database for 2005, which included prescriptions for 6.7 million people (46% of the total Dutch population). Results: Triptans were used by 85,172 (1.3%) people; of ... [Abstract] [Full-text] Molecular epidemiology and phylogeny reveals complex spatial dynamics of endemic canine parvovirus. J Virol. Canine parvovirus 2 (CPV-2) is a severe enteric pathogen of dogs, causing high mortality in unvaccinated dogs. After emerging, CPV-2 spread rapidly worldwide. However, there is now some evidence to suggest that international transmission appears to be more restricted. In order to investigate the transmission and evolution of CPV-2 both nationally and in relation to the global situation, we have used a long range PCR to amplify and sequence the full VP2 gene of 150 canine parvoviruses obtained ... [Abstract] [Full-text] Epidemiology of electrical injury: Findings from a community based national survey in Bangladesh. Injury. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to explore the magnitude and pattern of electrical injury in Bangladesh. METHOD: A national survey was conducted between January and December 2003 in Bangladesh. Nationally representative data were collected from 171,366 rural and urban households comprising a 819,429 population. The survey was conducted at a household level with a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The incidence of fatal and non-fatal injury was found to be 1.6 and 73.7 per 100,000 ... [Abstract] [Full-text] Migraine is a common, often disabling disorder associated with a significant personal and societal burden. The presence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may increase this disability substantially. Migraine and PTSD are both up to 3 times more common in women than in men. The divergence in prevalence rates of migraine and PTSD that occurs between the sexes after puberty suggests that gonadal hormones play an important role. In addition, the preponderance of PTSD in women may be related ... [Abstract] [Full-text] Phylogeography and molecular epidemiology of Papaya ringspot virus. Virus Res. Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) is the most important virus affecting papaya and cucurbit plants in tropical and subtropical areas. PRSV isolates are divided into biotypes P and W: both the P and W types naturally infect plants in the family Cucurbitaceae, whereas the P type naturally infects papaya (Carica papaya). Understanding the origin and nature of the PRSV genetic diversity and evolution is critical for the implementation of control strategies based on cross-protection and the deployment of ... [Abstract] [Full-text] The epidemiology of civilian inpatients' burns in Chinese military hospitals, 2001-2007. Burns. BACKGROUND: In China, large sample research directed at the epidemiology of burns is still scarce. Given the leading position of Chinese military hospitals in domestic clinical practice pertaining to burns, a look into their cases would help shed light on the incidence and hospital care of burns in China today. METHODS: Data were collected from information systems of all the Chinese military hospitals, for the years 2001-2007 inclusive. Retrospective analyses on the epidemiology characteristics ... [Abstract] [Full-text] Epidemiology of acute poisonings during 2003-2007 in toxicology unit, department of occupational medicine and toxicology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland. Int J Occup Med Environ Health, 24(2): 199-207. © 2005-2011 Epidemiology Research Today. All Rights Reserved. |
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