An epidemiologist decides to investigate the incidence of diabetes in a population of 300 older adults who live in a nursing home.She visits the nursing home in January 1,2017 and later in December 31 of the same year.She looks into the records of these patients and learns that in her first visit,25 patients had diabetes and 35 in her second visit.What number should be included in the denominator for her calculation of incidence?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Because 25 patients already had diabetes at the beginning of her study,only 275 were at risk of diabetes.The denominator for calculating incidence should be the population at risk of getting the disease; therefore 275 is the right answer.

An Epidemiologist Decides to Investigate the Incidence of Diabetes in a Population