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Biological markers: their use in quantitative assessments
1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7400.
Advances in Dental Research
|June 1, 1994
Summary
Biological markers track disease progression from exposure to outcome. Selecting appropriate markers for epidemiologic studies requires careful consideration of many factors for accurate results.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Toxicology
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Biological markers represent a continuum of events from exposure to disease.
- Categories include internal dose, biologically effective dose, early response, and disease markers.
- Susceptibility factors modulate disease outcomes by interacting with exposures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conceptualize biological markers within a disease continuum.
- To provide examples of marker use in epidemiologic research.
- To outline critical factors for selecting biological markers in studies.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual framework development for marker categorization.
- Review of factors influencing biological marker selection for epidemiology.
- Discussion of marker properties and their impact on study objectives.
Main Results:
- Biological markers can be categorized based on their position in the exposure-disease continuum.
- Numerous factors, including marker properties and assay characteristics, must be evaluated for marker selection.
- The utility of a marker is contingent on study objectives and feasibility.
Conclusions:
- Effective use of biological markers in epidemiology hinges on aligning marker characteristics with study goals.
- Careful consideration of marker availability, feasibility, cost, and reliability is crucial.
- Proper marker selection enhances the validity and cost-effectiveness of epidemiologic research.