Question

Paller AS, Mercy K, Kwasny MJ, et al.  Association of pediatric psoriasis severity with excess and central adiposity: an international cross-sectional study. JAMA Dermatol. 2013 Feb;149(2):166-76.

Questions 1-5 relate to the Paller AS, et al. article.

1. Which best describes the research question investigated in the Paller AS, et al. study?

Group of answer choices

1. What is the relationship between adiposity and psoriasis severity in adults?

2. What is the relationship between adiposity and psoriasis severity in children?

3. Do children have a greater prevalence of psoriasis compared to adults?

4. Do adults have a greater prevalence of psoriasis compared to children?

2. Which type of study design was used to investigate this research question?

Group of answer choices

1. Retrospective Cohort

2. Case-control

3. Ecologic

4. Cross-sectional

3. How were subjects selected for inclusion in this study?

Group of answer choices

1.Subjects were recruited from a convenience sample of all patients with psoriasis

2.Subjects were recruited from among all adult psoriasis patients visiting their dermatologist between June 2009 and December 2011

3.Subjects were recruited from among all pediatric psoriasis patients presenting between June 2009 and December 2011 to participating dermatology referral centers located in 9 countries

4.Subjects were recruited from among all pediatric patients presenting between June 2009 and December 2011 with BMI >85th and <95th percentile

4.What measure(s) served as the outcome variable(s)?

Group of answer choices

1.Body Mass Index (BMI)

2.Psoriasis Severity

3.Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Height Ratio

4.Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference, Waist-to-Height Ratio and Psoriasis Severity

5.What measure(s) served as the exposure variable(s)?

Group of answer choices

1.Body Mass Index (BMI)

2.Psoriasis Severity

3.Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Hip Ratio

4.Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference, Waist-to-Hip Ratio and Psoriasis Severity

Cui Y, Zhang ZF, Froines J, et al. Air pollution and case fatality of SARS in the People's Republic of China: an ecologic study. Environ Health. 2003 Nov 20;2(1):15.

Questions 6-10 relate to the Cui Y, et al. article.

6.Which best describes the research question investigated in the Cui Y, et al. study?

Group of answer choices

1.Is there a relationship between air pollution and acute respiratory case fatality?

2.Is there a relationship between air pollution and asthma case fatality?

3.Is there a relationship between air pollution and COPD case fatality?

4.Is there a relationship between air pollution and SARS case fatality?

7. Which type of study design was used to investigate this research question?

Group of answer choices

1.Retrospective Cohort

2.Case-control

3.Ecologic

4. Cross-sectional

8. What data were used for this study?

Group of answer choices

1.Publicly accessible data on asthma morbidity and mortality in the People’s Republic of China

2.Publicly accessible data on SARS morbidity and mortality in the People’s Republic of China

3.Publicly accessible data on COPD morbidity and mortality in the People’s Republic of China

4.Publicly accessible data on acute respiratory failure morbidity and mortality in the People’s Republic of China

9.How were these data analyzed?

Group of answer choices

1. Prevalence odds ratio

2.Linear regression modeling

3.Logistic regression modeling

4.Prevalence ratio

10. What were the results of these analyses?

Group of answer choices

1. A negative relationship existed between air pollution and case fatality

2. A positive relationship existed between air pollution and case fatality

3. No relationship existed between air pollution and case fatality

4. Indeterminable

Answer 1

Answers to the questions are given below :-

1) Answer is Option (2) What is the relationship between adiposity and psoriasis severity in children?

Explanation :- The main objective of the study was to investigate the relationship of excess and central adiposity with pediatric psoriasis activity.Paediatric age group refers to 0-18 years of age.So option (2) is the most appropriate answer.

2) Answer is Option (4) Cross-Sectional.

Explanation :- Cross Sectional Study is an Observational Study Design which is mainly based on a single examination done on a cross scetion of population at one point in time.The results obtained can be projected on the whole population provided the sampling has been done correctly.In this study,409 psoriatic children were taken classified as mild or severe.205 were in control group.Total 614 children were taken.

3) Answer is Option (3)Subjects were recruited from among all pediatric psoriasis patients presenting between June 2009 and December 2011 to participating dermatology referral centers located in 9 countries.

Explanation :- The 9 countries were Americas (Brazil, Canada, Chile, United States), Europe (Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, United Kingdom), and Asia (Malaysia).

4) Answer is Option (3)Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference, Waist-to-Height Ratio..

Explanation :- Excess adiposity(those having Body Mass Index of more than 85%) occurred more in psoriasis than in controls.Waist circumference of more than 90^th percentile were more in severe psoriatic,followed by mild ones and least in controls.Waist-to-Height ratio was significantly higher in psoriatic children compared to controls,though severity in psoriasis didn't affect it at all.

5) Answer is Option (2)Psoriasis Severity.

Explanation :- In this study,the severity of psoriasis was taken as the exposure variable for determining adiposity.

6) Answer is Option (4)Is there a relationship between air pollution and SARS case fatality?

Explanation :-It has been observed that since November 2002,SARS has claimed 349 lives with 5327 probable cases reported in Mainland China which can be partially explained by air pollution levels.This is the main background of this particular study.

7) Answer is Option (3)Ecologic.

Explanation :- Ecological study is an observational study where data are analyse at population level or group level rather than on individual level.

8)  Answer is Option (2)Publicly accessible data on SARS morbidity and mortality in the People’s Republic of China.

Explanation :- Case fatality was estimated by dividing the number of reported deaths by the number of probable cases.Air pollution was evaluated by air pollution index (API) provided by the Chinese National Environmental Protection Agency (CNEPA).

9) Answer is Option (2)Linear regression modeling.

Explanation :- Linear Regression Model is a linear model which assumes a linear relationship between input variables(here Air Pollution Index) and single output variables(here SARS case fatality)

10) Answer is Option (2)A positive relationship existed between air pollution and case fatality.

Explanation :- In their study,they found that exposure to air pollutants resulted in compromise of lung function,thereby increasing SARS fatality.