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Epidemiology

Epidemiology

The patterns and causes of disease in populations, including disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, clinical trials, health disparities, and the development of public health interventions
29 papers in this specialization

Paperzilla Papers in Epidemiology

Purported quantitative support for multiple introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into humans is an artefact of an imbalanced hypothesis testing framework

This re-analysis demonstrates that previous claims of strong statistical support for multiple SARS-CoV-2 introductions into humans were an artifact of an imbalanced hypothesis testing framework. The original study unfairly applied stricter conditions to the single-introduction model, and when these conditions are made consistent for both models, the evidence for multiple introductions disappears, reversing the initial conclusion.
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paper_2191.pdf
Oct 03, 06:04 AM

Cancer Incidence vs. Population Average Sleep Duration on Spring Mattresses

This paper speculatively correlates increased breast cancer and melanoma incidence with prolonged sleep on metal spring mattresses, attributing it to the mattresses reflecting "body-resonant radiation" from FM radio transmitters. It suggests that countries with higher spring mattress usage show higher cancer rates, but these are observational correlations without direct causal evidence.
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paper_2048.pdf
Sep 29, 03:09 PM

Multi-organ impairment and long COVID: a 1-year prospective, longitudinal cohort study

This prospective longitudinal cohort study on largely non-hospitalized individuals found that multi-organ impairment persisted in 59% of patients with long COVID one year after initial symptoms, impacting their quality of life and ability to work. However, the study's reliance on self-referred participants and lack of pre-COVID baseline data means results may not be fully generalizable and causal links are harder to establish.
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paper_2007.pdf
Sep 28, 08:42 AM

1-year risks of cancers associated with COVID-19 vaccination: a large population-based cohort study in South Korea

This large South Korean study suggests an epidemiological association between COVID-19 vaccination and an increased risk of six specific cancer types (thyroid, gastric, colorectal, lung, breast, and prostate) within one year. The observed associations varied by vaccine type, sex, and age, with booster doses also linked to changes in gastric and pancreatic cancer risks, but the study notes these are associations and not definitive causal links.
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paper_2005.pdf
Sep 28, 06:35 AM

Acute and postacute sequelae associated with SARS-CoV-2 reinfection

This study, using data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, found that reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 increased the risk of death, hospitalization, and a range of health problems across various organ systems, even for those who were vaccinated. These risks were higher in the acute phase but persisted for at least six months after reinfection, with cumulative risks increasing with each subsequent infection.
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paper_1704.pdf
Sep 19, 05:57 PM

Is There a Link between the 2021 COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake in Europe and 2022 Excess All-Cause Mortality?

This ecological study found a correlation between higher COVID-19 vaccination uptake in 31 European countries in 2021 and increased all-cause mortality in 2022. It's crucial to note that this is an ecological study, meaning it analyzes data at the country level, not individual level, so it cannot prove causation or rule out ecological fallacy.
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paper_1673.pdf
Sep 18, 07:11 PM

Epidemiological exploration of the impact of bluetooth headset usage on thyroid nodules using Shapley additive explanations method

A survey study suggests a possible link between prolonged Bluetooth headset use and increased risk of thyroid nodules, but it's only correlational, not causal. The study also identified age as a major risk factor, which isn't exactly news. The findings should be taken with a grain of salt because the reliance on self-reported data may have introduced bias, and the survey sample may not represent the general population.
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paper_1467.pdf
Sep 13, 07:11 AM

Climatic signatures in the different COVID-19 pandemic waves across both hemispheres

This study found a strong negative correlation between COVID-19 cases and both temperature and absolute humidity, particularly during the first two pandemic waves. This suggests COVID-19 may exhibit seasonal transmission patterns, similar to influenza. A mechanistic model incorporating temperature dependence fit observed case data better than models with constant or seasonal transmission rates.
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paper_1462.pdf
Sep 12, 08:54 PM

Factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes in Ireland: findings from a national database of 1,408,249 cases diagnosed between 2020 and 2022

This large-scale study of over 1.4 million COVID-19 cases in Ireland found that age and underlying health conditions were the strongest predictors of death, regardless of location (hospital or elsewhere). Smoking increased ICU admission risk but not mortality after adjusting for other factors, while obesity increased the risk of both.
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paper_1253.pdf
Sep 08, 08:01 AM

Measles-mumps-rubella vaccination timing and autism among young african american boys: a reanalysis of CDC data

This retracted study claimed a link between MMR vaccine timing and autism in African American boys, but it had major flaws, including potential misclassification of controls (some might have later been diagnosed with autism) and lack of control for socioeconomic factors and other vaccinations. Furthermore, the study is based on a reanalysis of a dataset that did not find a statistically significant relationship in their initial review.
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paper_1152.pdf
Sep 05, 07:40 PM

Effectiveness of Bivalent mRNA Vaccines in Preventing Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection - Increasing Community Access to Testing Program, United States, September-November 2022

This study found that bivalent mRNA COVID-19 booster vaccines provided additional protection against symptomatic infection compared with previous monovalent vaccination during a period when Omicron BA.4/BA.5 lineages predominated. The benefit of the bivalent booster increased with time since the last monovalent dose.
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paper_1118.pdf
Sep 05, 01:47 AM

Cohort study of cardiovascular safety of different COVID-19 vaccination doses among 46 million adults in England

This massive study of 46 million adults in England found that COVID-19 vaccines are generally associated with a lower risk of heart problems like heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots, outweighing the known rare risks. However, the study is observational, meaning it can show correlations but not definitively prove cause-and-effect; there may be unmeasured confounding factors related to vaccine timing and health status.
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paper_1117.pdf
Sep 05, 01:46 AM

Smartphone use on the toilet and the risk of hemorrhoids

This cross-sectional study suggests a correlation between prolonged smartphone use on the toilet and an increased prevalence of hemorrhoids. Smartphone users in the study spent more time on the toilet and were younger than non-users. The small sample size, cross-sectional design (correlation, not causation), and self-reported data limit the strength of the conclusions.
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paper_1080.pdf
Sep 04, 07:59 AM

Interplay of genetic predisposition, plasma metabolome and Mediterranean diet in dementia risk and cognitive function

This large, prospective study examined how genes, blood metabolites, and the Mediterranean diet interact to influence dementia risk. Researchers found certain blood metabolites were strongly linked to dementia risk, especially in people with the APOE4 gene, and suggested a Mediterranean diet might help lower this risk. They also explored potential causal links between certain metabolites and cognitive outcomes using Mendelian randomization.
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paper_647.pdf
Aug 25, 07:33 PM

Description of a Current Outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in the United States

This US study found a resurgence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, reaching levels similar to those before the COVID-19 pandemic. While the study uses a large dataset and covers all 50 states, it lacks data on the total number of tests performed, making it difficult to determine the true infection rate. The increase in infections affects both children and adults, with children experiencing a proportionally larger increase.
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paper_492.pdf
Aug 21, 04:38 PM

Trends in Alcohol-Related Deaths by Sex in the US, 1999-2020

This study found that alcohol-related death rates are increasing faster among women than men in the US, despite men still having a higher overall mortality rate. The research analyzed US death certificate data from 1999 to 2020, revealing an accelerating trend, especially in recent years, for both sexes, with a steeper rise among women across various demographics. The study is descriptive and doesn't identify causes for the trend.
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paper_463.pdf
Aug 20, 08:04 PM

Dog Ownership and Survival A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis of observational studies found a link between dog ownership and reduced all-cause mortality, possibly due to a decrease in cardiovascular deaths. However, the study didn't adjust for other factors like socioeconomic status or pre-existing health, so it's unclear if owning a dog directly causes longer life.
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paper_375.pdf
Aug 19, 07:31 AM

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Long COVID Symptoms among U.S. Adults, 2022

This cross-sectional study of U.S. adults found that long COVID was more common in younger age groups, women, certain racial/ethnic minority groups, and individuals with certain underlying health conditions or behaviors. Vaccination was associated with a lower prevalence of long COVID. The most commonly reported long COVID symptoms were tiredness/fatigue, difficulty breathing, and loss of taste or smell.
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paper_303.pdf
Aug 17, 06:15 PM

A two-phase study evaluating the relationship between Thimerosal-containing vaccine administration and the risk for an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in the United States

This two-phase study suggests an association between childhood vaccines containing thimerosal and autism. However, limitations include reliance on databases with potential underreporting, lack of control for other mercury exposures, and the inability to definitively establish causation. The study found varying levels of increased risk depending on the vaccine and timing of administration.
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paper_83.pdf
Aug 11, 07:48 PM

Daily steps and health outcomes in adults: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

This large systematic review found that even a modest increase in daily steps is associated with reduced risk of various health problems including all-cause mortality, cardiovascular issues, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and dementia. 7,000 steps/day was linked to meaningful improvements, with further gains diminishing beyond that level for most outcomes. There were some limitations, including a smaller number of studies for some of the less-common health problems.
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PIIS2468266725001641.pdf
Aug 06, 04:40 PM

Daily walking and mortality in racially and socioeconomically diverse US adults

In a large study of predominantly low-income and Black individuals, fast walking was associated with a significantly reduced risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Even just 15 minutes of daily fast walking was linked to lower mortality risk, independent of other physical activity levels.
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PIIS0749379725002302.pdf
Jul 29, 12:08 PM

Energy expenditure and obesity across the economic spectrum

This large, cross-sectional study of adults from 34 populations across diverse economies finds that daily energy expenditure is actually greater in more developed populations. While body size-adjusted total and basal energy expenditure decreased slightly with economic development, this effect was small and did not explain the observed increase in obesity, suggesting that increased energy intake is likely the primary driver.
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mcgrosky-et-al-energy-expenditure-and-obesity-across-the-economic-spectrum.pdf
Jul 28, 02:44 PM

Twelve-Month All-Cause Mortality after Initial COVID-19 Vaccination with Pfizer-BioNTech or mRNA-1273 among Adults Living in Florida

This observational study of Florida adults found a correlation between receiving the Pfizer (BNT162b2) COVID-19 vaccine and a higher risk of 12-month all-cause mortality compared to receiving the Moderna (mRNA-1273) vaccine. However, the study's design cannot determine causality and residual confounding cannot be ruled out despite extensive matching.
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2025.04.25.25326460v1.full.pdf
Jul 20, 06:21 AM

Global, regional, and national burden of stroke and its risk factors, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability globally, with the burden disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. High blood pressure, high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, air pollution, and smoking are the top five risk factors, highlighting the importance of implementing effective primary prevention strategies.
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pmc8443449.pdf
Jul 14, 05:19 PM

Decreased Influenza Activity During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, Australia, Chile, and South Africa, 2020

Following the implementation of COVID-19 mitigation measures, influenza activity dropped dramatically in the United States and remained historically low during the 2020 interseasonal period. Similar trends of low influenza activity were observed in Australia, Chile, and South Africa during their typical flu season, suggesting a potential global impact of these measures.
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mm6937a6-H.pdf
Jul 14, 06:48 AM

National, Regional, State, and Selected Local Area Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescents Aged 13–17 Years — United States, 2020

Vaccination coverage among adolescents aged 13-17 was generally high in 2020 for routinely recommended vaccines (Tdap, MenACWY, HPV). Coverage for HPV continued to increase in 2020. Further research is needed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vaccination rates in this age group.
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mm7035a1-H.pdf
Jul 14, 06:48 AM

Global, regional, and national burden of hepatitis B, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Global chronic HBV prevalence has declined significantly, particularly in children under 5, largely due to vaccination efforts. However, HBV-related deaths are increasing in many countries due to population growth and aging, necessitating accelerated efforts to diagnose and treat existing infections.
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GBD_LGH_Global_Regional_And_VOR.pdf
Jul 14, 06:48 AM

A multisociety Delphi consensus statement on new fatty liver disease nomenclature

The study proposes replacing "NAFLD" with "MASLD" (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease), reflecting the central role of metabolic dysfunction. It also proposes diagnostic criteria based on the presence of at least one cardiometabolic risk factor and creates a separate category ("MetALD") for patients with MASLD and increased alcohol consumption.
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a_multisociety_delphi_consensus_statement_on_new.28.pdf
Jul 14, 06:48 AM

Recommended physical activity and all cause and cause specific mortality in US adults: prospective cohort study

US adults who met the 2018 physical activity guidelines, particularly those engaging in both aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises, showed a significantly reduced risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality, including deaths from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory diseases. These benefits were even more pronounced in individuals with chronic conditions.
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bmj.m2031.full.pdf
Jul 08, 11:40 AM
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