Epidemiology: the basic, clinical, essential science

Estudios epidemiológicos (STROBE)

Although there are many texts on the quality of epidemiological studies, little effort has been made to evaluate the publication of epidemiological studies and their results (the articles). Concern to improve the reporting of epidemiological studies prompted a working group to launch the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of observational studies in Epidemiology Statement). The STROBE checklist contains 22 items organized according to the Title and Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion structure that can be used for the main epidemiological designs (cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies). It is a checklist to improve the reporting quality of epidemiological studies (generally original articles) and, therefore, to evaluate the quality of this type of publication and facilitate critical reading.

Equal treatment: bestowed or earned?

PURPOSE

While the complaint against non-industry employed epidemiologists for holding their industry-based colleagues to a higher level of scrutiny is accurate, this paper shows that there is a sound basis for such treatment. It also shows, however, that a shift towards ongoing vigilance is needed on the part of all epidemiologists to guard against such bias.

METHODS

The proposed shift is made possible through the recent incorporation in ethics guidelines of principles that indeed identify the impropriety of any such bias.

RESULTS

In the same guidelines, there are principles that require scientific impartiality. Industry-based epidemiologists, by the condition of their employment, may find the avoidance of partiality to the corporate interest more problematic than do non-industry based epidemiologists to their respective sponsors. It is in light of past examples of partiality among industry-based epidemiologists that other epidemiologists may be biased against them.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper concludes with the realization that both groups of epidemiologists have the challenge of correcting the biases inculcated over many years. Trust needs to be established between industry and non-industry-based epidemiologists through greater acceptance on the part of the latter and exemplary conduct on the part of the former to overcome past practice records.