ES2399303B1 - COLLECTION SYSTEM OF PARTICIPANTS VARIABLES IN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the invention is a system for collecting variables from participants in epidemiological studies optimized by means of an electronic device for collecting variables so that numerous biases that are usually present in said studies are eliminated. It also allows the collected information to be turned over to a computer for further analysis by the research team. In addition, the system includes the important novelty of the possibility that these data (strictly anonymous) are available to any other researcher. # Thus, the use of this new invention can represent a remarkable improvement in epidemiological methodology, resulting in its time, in an outstanding advance in the field of health research: greater control of biases, greater applicability of results and conclusions, lower limitations in studies, lower number of participants, lower research costs, shorter duration of studies, etc. .

Description

System for collecting variables from participants in epidemiological studies

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is the optimization in the collection of variables of the participants of epidemiological studies, eliminating the possible biases (of confusion, of selection and of information) that otherwise are usually present in said studies.

10 State of the art Epidemiological studies (either descriptive or analytical) are procedures commonly used in health research. These studies allow the development of the epidemiological method, representing the application of the scientific method to the study of the health problems of

15 human populations, serving as the basis for advances in science in this field.

Observational analytical epidemiological studies (cohorles studies and case-control studies, in all its variants) have allowed a multitude of 20 researchers to know in depth a large number of diseases, establishing many of their main risk and protection factors. In turn, the determination of the etiological factors of diseases has allowed its control and prevention in a few cases (and even the total eradication of some such as smallpox, a disease of enormous importance in the history of mankind) . For this, it has been necessary to design and subsequently evaluate the efficacy and safety of new preventive intervention procedures (vaccines, programs for Health Promotion or Education, chemoprophylaxis techniques, etc.), diagnostics (tests that allow diagnosis, and treatment , early disease) or therapeutic (medications,

30 surgical interventions, radiotherapy techniques, etc.) from the development of experimental analytical epidemiological studies (clinical trials, in all its variants).

In the analytical epidemiological studies (observational and experimental), 35 a series of variables are collected from each of the participants. To date, two alternatives are available for the collection of variables in the epidemiological studies: form completion of collection of variables on exposures or diseases that occurred in the past or filling in forms for collecting variables as part of scheduled explorations of study participants.

Description of the invention

It is common practice that in certain epidemiological studies the collection of a series of variables is carried out in each of the study participants. For these studies to generate results and conclusions according to reality, it is necessary to control the appearance of possible biases. This invention will allow the collection of variables of each participant in a methodical, complete, objective, exact, simple and prospective way, controlling the effect of those biases that are usually present in these studies: confusion, selection and information biases. On the other hand, it also allows the collected information to be turned over to a computer for later analysis by the research team. In addition, the system includes the important novelty of the possibility that such data (strictly anonymous) will be available to any other researcher. In this way, the use of this new invention can represent a remarkable improvement in the epidemiological methodology, resulting in turn, in an outstanding advance in health research: greater control of biases, greater applicability of the results and conclusions, lower limitations on studies, lower number of participants, lower research costs, shorter duration of studies, etc. It also allows its programming to adapt to the research needs. The programming will allow modifications to the equipment without replacing the hardware: introduction of new variables, change of languages, etc.

Compared to any of the two ~ traditional ~ alternatives described above, this new system offers outstanding advantages:

-

The collection of variables of each participant is done by controlling the etedo of possible biases, optimizing the data collection process. -It is the participant himself who carries out the collection of variables on a regular basis, eliminating the need to fill out forms about exhibitions

5 passes difficult to remember and subject to error. -The transfers of participants to the consultations for the taking of variables or the completion of the annular forms mentioned are eliminated. In this way, the expenditure of resources (economic, personnel and temporary) by researchers and participants is reduced. .

10 -Minimities in the follow-up by the participants are minimized, since the ease and comfort of the system reduces the scheduled visits favoring adherence to the protocol.

The object of the invention is the optimization in the collection of variables of the

15 participants of epidemiological studies, eliminating the possible biases (of confusion, of selection and of information) that otherwise are usually present in these studies. The invention consists of an electronic device that, by means of a data display screen and selection keys, numbers, letters and cursors, allows the

20 introduction of data referring to variables of the participants of epidemiological studies. The collection is individual (for each participant), and constant (over the period of time programmed for it). With this system, each participant of the study, individually, will introduce into the device the measurements of different variables allowing not only the introduction of numbers but also

25 also text, when so! the variable requires it. The regularity of the introduction of the data referring to each variable is determined by the variable to be measured.

The device for collecting variables when delivered to the participant for use,

30 will have a security system, preferably a seal, that ensures non-manipulation by people outside the investigation. The only two variables that the participant does not enter are the gender and the date of birth that will be fixed on the device at the time of delivery to the participant.

35 Furthermore, this device for collecting variables in epidemiological studies allows their reset. With this option you can delete all the dalas from the previous one

user of the team, including variables not controlled by the participant and that

They introduce the delivery of the equipment such as gender and date of birth. This

action will not be available to participants to avoid losses

involuntary information.

s

Subsequently, the dams are turned to a computer through a USB device

which also serves as a recharging system for the device via network connection

usual electric allowing continuous use for a long period of

weather.

10

Embodiment of the invention

The dynamic to follow with the team is as follows:

-At the end of the day the study participant must turn on their equipment.

fifteen

-The text ~ Variables ~ will appear on the screen, and two other texts that indicate two

options ~ enter "and ~ exit".

-The option mentoring will be selected "displaying a series of variables.

-The participant, for example, will enter the variable u Daily consumption of

cigarettes ": with the cursor it will move through the different variables of the equipment until

twenty

go to "Daily cigarette consumption" and select the option again

"get in".

-Once this is done, you will simply enter the value with the number keys

of cigarettes smoked that day and then select the "exit" option that

will return the participant to the list of variables to continue with his

25

completion.

With a regularity established by the project researchers, the data

collected on the device will be passed to a computer by using port

USB available on the computer. This data dump will be passed to a page of

30

Internet designed for this purpose where they will be stored properly

data for use by other researchers.

Claims (6)

1. System for collecting variables from participants in epidemiological studies characterized by being a device for collecting variables in studies 5 epidemiological through a data display screen and selection keys, numbers, letters and cursors. 2. System for collecting variables from participants in epidemiological studies, according to claim 1, characterized in that the device for collecting 10 variables in epidemiological studies is a team for individual use, although reusable by other participants once their participation in the study ends, minimizing the expenditure of resources and being respectful with the environment. 3. System for collecting variables from participants in epidemiological studies, 15 according to previous claims, characterized in that the device for collecting variables in epidemiological studies allows their reset. This action will not be available to participants to avoid involuntary loss of information. 20 4. System for collecting variables from participants in epidemiological studies, according to previous claims, characterized in that the device for collecting variables in epidemiological studies has a USB port for data transfer, as well as for recharging via connection to the power grid usual allowing continued use over a long period of 25 time 5. System for collecting variables from participants in epidemiological studies, according to previous claims, characterized in that the device for collecting variables in epidemiological studies when delivered to the participant for 30 use will have a security system, preferably a seal, which ensures non-manipulation by people outside the investigation. 6. System for collecting variables from participants in epidemiological studies, according to previous claims, characterized in that the collection device 35 variables in epidemiological studies allow their programming to adapt to the needs of the research. The programming will allow to realize 7. System for collecting variables from participants in epidemiological studies, according to previous claims, characterized by being a device for collecting variables in epidemiological studies that allows not only the introduction of numbers but also of text, when so! the variable requires it.