Appendix:

I Overview of dermato-epidemiology

• Introduction to epidemiology
• Independent vs. dependent variables
• Qualitative (nominal, ordinal) vs. Quantitative variables
• Discrete vs. continuous variables
• Parametric vs. nonparametric tests
• Descriptive vs. inferential statistics

Theoretical Reading: Strachan, DP: “The Nature of Epidemiological Studies” The Challenge of Dermatoepidemiology, Eds. Williams HC, Strachan DP, CRC Press 1997 (ISBN: 0-8493-7689-0, List price $129.95 U.S. @ 800-272-7737)

II Validity and reliability of screening tests [& Descriptive Data]

• Validity, reliability
• Sensitivity, Specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value
• Measures of central tendency (Mean, Median Mode)
• Measures of dispersion (Standard Deviation & Variance)
• Incidence & Prevalence
• Rates, Attack rate

Theoretical Reading: Weinstock MA. Validation of a diagnostic test. Epidemiologic principles in dermatology. Arch Dermatol 1989;125(9):1260-4.

III Bias in Studies & Mortality

• Selection Bias
• Information Bias
• Crude Mortality
• Cause and age-specific mortality
• Case Fatality
• Proportionate Mortality
• Mortality Standardization

Theoretical Reading: Bobak M: Bias—The Silent Menace. Chapter 8 in The Challenge of Dermatoepidemiology.

IV Case Control Studies and Measures of Risk

• Observational vs. Experimental studies
• Prospective/retrospective
• Case Control Studies, Cohort Studies, Surveys
• Relative Risk, Odds Ratio
• Confidence Intervals

Theoretical Reading: Heacock HJ, Rivers JK, et al. Assessing scientific data: The case-control study as it applies to dermatology. Part I, The case-control method: J Cutan Med & Surg. Vol 1, No. 3: 151-56, 1997 and Part II, Interpreting the results: : J Cutan Med & Surg. Vol 2, No. 1: 35-40, 1997

V No Evidence of Effect [& related factors]

• Hypothesis Testing
• Type I errors, Type II errors
• Power, alpha & beta
• p-values

Theoretical Reading: Williams HC, Seed P. Inadequate size of 'negative' clinical trials in dermatology. Br J Dermatol 1993;128(3):317-26.

VI Evidence Based Medicine in Dermatology

• Evidence based medicine
• Association vs. Causation (& establishing causation)
• Proxy (surrogate) endpoints
• Internal vs. External validity

Theoretical Reading: Bigby M: Evidence-based medicine in a nutshell. Arch Dermatol 1998; 134:1609-1618

VII Quality of Life Studies and Categorical Statistics

• Quality of life studies
• Quantitative vs. Qualitative variables (reviewed)
• Chi-Square Statistic, Fisher’s Exact test

Theoretical Reading: Chren M: Understanding Research About Quality of Life and Other Health Outcomes, J Cutan Med & Surg. Vol 3, No. 6: 312-, 1999

VIII Systematic reviews

• Systematic reviews & meta-analysis
• Statistical vs. clinical significance
• t-tests & ANOVA
• Time-allowing: Kruskal-Wallis & Mann-Whitney test

Theoretical Reading: (1) Williams HC, Adetugbo K, Po AL, Naldi L, Diepgen T, Murrell D. The Cochrane Skin Group. Preparing, Maintaining and Disseminating Systematic Review of Clinical Interventions In Dermatology. Arch Dermatol 1998;134:1620-6.
(2) Po WL, Williams WC. Collating the Evidence, Chapter 9 in The Challenge of Dermatoepidemiology.

IX Confounding

• Confounding
• Correlation
• Linear Regression
• Restriction, Adjusting & Stratification

Theoretical Reading: Phillips A, Smith GD. Confounding, Chapter 7 in The Challenge of Dermatoepidemiology

X Health Services Research

• Introduction to Health Services Research
• Screening II: Lead-time & length bias

Theoretical Reading: Cheri MM. Dermatologic health services research. Dermatol Clin 1995:13;689

XII Randomized Controlled Trials

• RCT Study design
• Intention-to-treat analysis

Theoretical Reading: Chapter on Randomized Controlled Trials in Epidemiology by Leon Gordis.