Disparities in colorectal cancer screening: a guideline-based analysis of adherence.

Purpose: This study's primary objective was to describe colorectal cancer (CRC) screening disparities using a guideline-derived definition of CRC screening adherence while controlling for confounding factors associated with CRC screening.

Methods: This secondary data analysis of the 2000 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) included 12,677 individuals age > or = 50 years. The primary outcome assessed was adherence to CRC screening guidelines, defined as a sigmoidoscopy or proctoscopy within the last five years, colonoscopy within the last 10 years, or home fecal occult blood test within the last 12 months.

Evolution of epidemiologic methods and concepts in selected textbooks of the 20th century.

Textbooks are an expression of the state of development of a discipline at a given moment in time. By reviewing eight epidemiology textbooks published over the course of a century, we have attempted to trace the evolution of five epidemiologic concepts and methods: study design (cohort studies and case-control studies), confounding, bias, interaction and causal inference. Overall, these eight textbooks can be grouped into three generations.