MRCGP AKT Category: Evidence Based Practice, Research And Sharing Knowledge

AKT-1907

A study of 1000 participants aims to determine the normal range for a number of parameters in a South East London population.

It is found in the analysis there is a strong positive correlation between age and blood pressure.

Which statistical technique may be used to predict blood pressure at any given age in this cohort?

AKT-1923

A circumstance in which a subject in a research project alters their behavior due to the awareness of being monitored is referred to as what?

AKT-1908

Which one of the following best describes the characteristics of a negatively skewed distribution?

AKT-1924

A 47-year-old man seeks your guidance on quitting smoking and mentions his interest in using electronic cigarettes as a cessation aid. You recall reading a study that compared electronic cigarettes to nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation. The study involved primary care patients who were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group.

What type of bias could potentially threaten the validity of this study?

AKT-1901

A study examining glucose levels in a group of individuals taking antipsychotics reports a mean value of 7 mmol/L. The sample size is 9, and the standard deviation of the sample is 6 mmol/L. The standard error of the mean is 2 mmol/L. What is the closest estimate for the correct range of the 95% confidence interval? Additionally, suppose the study was conducted on a population of individuals aged 65 and above.

AKT-1902

A clinical trial is being conducted to investigate the effectiveness of a new oral medication in improving the symptoms of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The trial involves 400 patients aged 50 and above, with 200 patients receiving the new medication and the other 200 receiving a placebo. After six months, the patients are asked to rate their symptoms using a five-point scale: much improved, slightly improved, no change, slightly worsened, significantly worse. What statistical test would be most appropriate to determine whether the new medication is effective?

AKT-1903

What is the term used to describe a worldwide flu outbreak?

AKT-1904

A research facility is attempting to create a new test to screen for prostate cancer compared to current methods which include a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. From initial findings, the new screening test seems to be more effective at detecting early-stage cancers. However, when comparing both tests, there doesn’t seem to be a noticeable difference in survival rates.

What is this an instance of?

AKT-1905

In the UK, there are several screening programs for significant health concerns, such as prostate cancer. A new screening test for prostate cancer is being assessed in comparison to the traditional use of PSA testing. There are concerns that this test may lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment, as it detects many cases of prostate cancer that may never cause harm.

What type of bias is this?