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Case-case analysis of enteric diseases with routine surveillance data: Potential use and example results
Nick Wilson1, Michael Baker, Richard Edwards
1Departament of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand. nick.wilson@otago.ac.nz
Epidemiologic Perspectives & Innovations : EP+I
|November 4, 2008
Summary
The case-case method offers a low-cost way to study enteric disease risk factors using surveillance data. This approach can supplement traditional methods like case-control studies for monitoring disease trends.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- Traditional epidemiological tools like case-control studies and outbreak investigations for enteric diseases are limited by cost and logistics.
- Investigating enteric disease sources and risk factors is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the advantages and disadvantages of the case-case method for analyzing enteric disease risk factors.
- To assess the utility of routine surveillance data for this analysis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of routine, aggregated enteric disease notification data from New Zealand's national surveillance system for 2006.
- Comparison of findings with established case-control studies and outbreak investigations.
Main Results:
- Crude odds ratios for risk factors were consistent with findings from case-control studies and outbreak investigations.
- The case-case method shows potential for monitoring enteric disease risk factor trends despite inherent limitations.
- Improving surveillance data quality and using individual-level data are recommended to reduce bias and confounding.
Conclusions:
- Case-case analysis of routine surveillance data presents a cost-effective method for studying enteric disease trends and informing control measures.
- This method should supplement, not replace, traditional outbreak investigations and case-control studies.
- Enhancing case-case analysis with high-quality, individual-level data from sentinel sites can improve its utility.
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