The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #51041

Rosebud O Roberts, MD MS, Health Sciences Research, Division of Epidemiology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905, 507 284 5656, roberts.rosebud@mayo.edu

Community-based epidemiologic studies use representative samples from the community to determine findings that are generalizable to the community. Most urologic studies utilize patients seeking care or volunteers. In such studies, selection bias may result from a skewed spectrum of disease severity, demographic factors, or factors that influence voluntary participation. Referral bias may also occur, even in longitudinal studies, because findings among referral patients are not necessarily generalizable to the community. Thus, community-based studies provide a more valid approach to generalizable study findings. They do, however, face a number of challenges. The development of an appropriate sampling frame can be difficult. Multiple sources of medical care may preclude the ability to identify and exclude ineligible subjects. Issues related to participation bias can be a challenge. Reliable and valid measurement instruments may be difficult to acquire. Quality control of these instruments may be problematic because of differences in standards of measurement across and within data sources. Losses to follow up and ascertainment of treatments and other endpoints are major issues for community-based longitudinal studies and may bias study findings. While some biases can be prevented in the study design, others cannot, and their potential impact on the generalizability of the study should be assessed and reported. The Olmsted County Study is a longitudinal community-based study designed to provide insights into the natural history of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A presentation of the rewards and challenges addressed in that study may be beneficial to investigators contemplating community based studies of urologic diseases.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the potential benefits of community-based studies of urologic diseases.
• Recognize two common biases associated with clinic-based and volunteer studies.
• Define the potential challenges in the design and conduct of community-based epidemiologic studies on urologic diseases.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Community Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.