Jean-François Sauvé1, Melissa C Friesen2. 1. Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA. jean-francois.sauve@umontreal.ca. 2. Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Population-based studies increasingly link task-based occupational questionnaire responses collected from subjects to exposure estimates via transparent, programmable decision rules. We reviewed recent applications and methodological developments of rule-based approaches. RECENT FINDINGS: Agent-specific decision rules require interviews incorporating work-task-based questions. Some studies have developed rules before the interviews took place, while others developed rules after the interviews were completed. Agreement between rule-based estimates and exposures assigned using job-by-job expert review were generally moderate to good (Kappa = 0.4-0.8). Rules providing quantitative intensity levels using measurement data or that integrate multiple independent exposure sources for the same job represent further advances to improve the characterization of occupational exposures in population studies. Decision rules have provided transparent and reproducible assessments, reduce job-by-job review, and facilitate sensitivity analyses in epidemiologic studies. Future studies should consider the development of decision rules concurrent with the questionnaire design to facilitate occupational exposure assessment efforts.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Population-based studies increasingly link task-based occupational questionnaire responses collected from subjects to exposure estimates via transparent, programmable decision rules. We reviewed recent applications and methodological developments of rule-based approaches. RECENT FINDINGS: Agent-specific decision rules require interviews incorporating work-task-based questions. Some studies have developed rules before the interviews took place, while others developed rules after the interviews were completed. Agreement between rule-based estimates and exposures assigned using job-by-job expert review were generally moderate to good (Kappa = 0.4-0.8). Rules providing quantitative intensity levels using measurement data or that integrate multiple independent exposure sources for the same job represent further advances to improve the characterization of occupational exposures in population studies. Decision rules have provided transparent and reproducible assessments, reduce job-by-job review, and facilitate sensitivity analyses in epidemiologic studies. Future studies should consider the development of decision rules concurrent with the questionnaire design to facilitate occupational exposure assessment efforts.
Authors: Renee N Carey; Sally J Hutchings; Lesley Rushton; Timothy R Driscoll; Alison Reid; Deborah C Glass; Ellie Darcey; Si Si; Susan Peters; Geza Benke; Lin Fritschi Journal: Cancer Epidemiol Date: 2017-01-09 Impact factor: 2.984
Authors: C Quinot; O Dumas; P K Henneberger; R Varraso; A S Wiley; F E Speizer; M Goldberg; J P Zock; C A Camargo; N Le Moual Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2016-08-26 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: Susan Peters; Deborah C Glass; Alison Reid; Nicholas de Klerk; Bruce K Armstrong; Stewart Kellie; Lesley J Ashton; Elizabeth Milne; Lin Fritschi Journal: Int J Cancer Date: 2012-12-19 Impact factor: 7.396
Authors: Javier Vila; Michelle C Turner; Esther Gracia-Lavedan; Jordi Figuerola; Joseph D Bowman; Laurel Kincl; Lesley Richardson; Geza Benke; Martine Hours; Daniel Krewski; Dave McLean; Marie-Elise Parent; Siegal Sadetzki; Klaus Schlaefer; Brigitte Schlehofer; Joachim Schüz; Jack Siemiatycki; Martie van Tongeren; Elisabeth Cardis Journal: Environ Int Date: 2018-07-08 Impact factor: 9.621
Authors: Lin Fritschi; Julie Crewe; Ellie Darcey; Alison Reid; Deborah C Glass; Geza P Benke; Tim Driscoll; Susan Peters; Si Si; Michael J Abramson; Renee N Carey Journal: BMC Pulm Med Date: 2016-04-09 Impact factor: 3.317
Authors: Jean-François Sauvé; Sarah J Locke; Pabitra R Josse; Emma M Stapleton; Nervana Metwali; Ralph W Altmaier; Gabriella Andreotti; Peter S Thorne; Jonathan N Hofmann; Laura E Beane Freeman; Melissa C Friesen Journal: Int J Hyg Environ Health Date: 2020-04-17 Impact factor: 5.840
Authors: Melissa C Friesen; Felicia Hung; Shuai Xie; Susan M Viet; Nicole C Deziel; Sarah J Locke; Pabitra R Josse; Jean-François Sauvé; Gabriella Andreotti; Peter S Thorne; Laura E Beane-Freeman; Jonathan N Hofmann Journal: Ann Work Expo Health Date: 2022-10-11 Impact factor: 2.779
Authors: Pabitra R Josse; Stella Koutros; Adonina Tardon; Nathaniel Rothman; Debra T Silverman; Melissa C Friesen Journal: Ann Work Expo Health Date: 2022-03-15 Impact factor: 2.779