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Emerging Themes in Epidemiology
Published in: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Analytic perspective

Challenges in measuring measles case fatality ratios in settings without vital registration

Authors: K Lisa Cairns, Robin Nandy, Rebecca F Grais

Published in: Emerging Themes in Epidemiology | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Measles, a highly infectious vaccine-preventable viral disease, is potentially fatal. Historically, measles case-fatality ratios (CFRs) have been reported to vary from 0.1% in the developed world to as high as 30% in emergency settings. Estimates of the global burden of mortality from measles, critical to prioritizing measles vaccination among other health interventions, are highly sensitive to the CFR estimates used in modeling; however, due to the lack of reliable, up-to-date data, considerable debate exists as to what CFR estimates are appropriate to use. To determine current measles CFRs in high-burden settings without vital registration we have conducted six retrospective measles mortality studies in such settings. This paper examines the methodological challenges of this work and our solutions to these challenges, including the integration of lessons from retrospective all-cause mortality studies into CFR studies, approaches to laboratory confirmation of outbreaks, and means of obtaining a representative sample of case-patients. Our experiences are relevant to those conducting retrospective CFR studies for measles or other diseases, and to those interested in all-cause mortality studies.
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Metadata
Title
Challenges in measuring measles case fatality ratios in settings without vital registration
Authors
K Lisa Cairns
Robin Nandy
Rebecca F Grais
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Emerging Themes in Epidemiology / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1742-7622
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-7622-7-4

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