Clinical Epidemiology Exam Questions
with Latest Update
Define Clinical Epidemiology: - ANSWER-application of epidemiological principles and
methods to the practice of clinical medicine
What are the 5 central concerns of Clinical Epi? - ANSWER-being able to define what is
normal vs abnormal, the accuracy of diagnostic tests. natural history and prognosis of
disease, effectiveness of treatment, and prevention in clinical practice
What is considered normal as common? - ANSWER-classifies values that occur
frequently as normal and those that occur infrequently as abnormal
What is considered abnormal as associated w/ disease? - ANSWER-the distinction
between normal and abnormal can be based on distribution of measurements for both
healthy and diseased people and attempt to define a cut-off point that clearly separates
two groups
What is considered abnormal as treatable? - ANSWER-the point at which treatment
does more good than harm
What is the purpose of diagnostic tests? - ANSWER-to confirm possible diagnoses
suggested by the patients signs and symptoms
Sensitivity- - ANSWER-proportion of individuals with the disease that have a positive
test result
Specificity- - ANSWER-proportion of individuals without the disease that have a
negative test result
What are the three stages of natural history of disease? - ANSWER-1. Pathological
Onset
2. Presymptomatic Stage
3. Clinically Manifest Disease
Pathological Onset Stage: - ANSWER-pathological appearance but no symptoms
Pre-symptomatic Stage: - ANSWER-first appearance of symptoms or signs
Clinically Manifest Disease: - ANSWER-disease is clinically obvious and may be subject
to remissions and relapses, regress spontaneously or progress to death
Quality of Life: - ANSWER-when prognosis includes measurement of all clinically
relevant outcomes and not just death
with Latest Update
Define Clinical Epidemiology: - ANSWER-application of epidemiological principles and
methods to the practice of clinical medicine
What are the 5 central concerns of Clinical Epi? - ANSWER-being able to define what is
normal vs abnormal, the accuracy of diagnostic tests. natural history and prognosis of
disease, effectiveness of treatment, and prevention in clinical practice
What is considered normal as common? - ANSWER-classifies values that occur
frequently as normal and those that occur infrequently as abnormal
What is considered abnormal as associated w/ disease? - ANSWER-the distinction
between normal and abnormal can be based on distribution of measurements for both
healthy and diseased people and attempt to define a cut-off point that clearly separates
two groups
What is considered abnormal as treatable? - ANSWER-the point at which treatment
does more good than harm
What is the purpose of diagnostic tests? - ANSWER-to confirm possible diagnoses
suggested by the patients signs and symptoms
Sensitivity- - ANSWER-proportion of individuals with the disease that have a positive
test result
Specificity- - ANSWER-proportion of individuals without the disease that have a
negative test result
What are the three stages of natural history of disease? - ANSWER-1. Pathological
Onset
2. Presymptomatic Stage
3. Clinically Manifest Disease
Pathological Onset Stage: - ANSWER-pathological appearance but no symptoms
Pre-symptomatic Stage: - ANSWER-first appearance of symptoms or signs
Clinically Manifest Disease: - ANSWER-disease is clinically obvious and may be subject
to remissions and relapses, regress spontaneously or progress to death
Quality of Life: - ANSWER-when prognosis includes measurement of all clinically
relevant outcomes and not just death
