Risk Factors:-
We see many diseases have specific causes, for example, a virus causes measles. However, for many chronic disorders, the causes remain uncertain. Scientists look for factors that appear to be linked to the development of a disease in their search for answers. These are “risk factors”—if they are present, the disease will develop there is an increased chance, but not a certainty,. It is important to note that necessarily causes of a disease are not risk factors.
Risk factors are characteristics of the person, their lifestyle and environment that contribute to the likelihood of getting a disease. They can include family background, work history or exposure to a substance or product. Some risk factors can be modified (for example, lowering one’s blood pressure); other risk factors can not be modified (for example, one’s age or family history).
Determination of risk factors
Two types of studies are used to determine risk factors.
1. One approach is to study people who already have the disease (such as Alzheimer’s disease) and compare them with persons without the disease, who are or else similar in age, gender and other characteristics. This is known as a case-control study. On their personal and family characteristics Information is gathered, as well as on past exposures that may have occurred through lifestyle and work. Risk factors that are more frequent in those with the disease than those without the disease can be identified.
2. Group of healthy people monitor a over a long period of time the second approach is. This is known as a cohort study. From this group, people who have a particular characteristic or who were exposed to a particular substance are compared to those without the characteristic or exposure to detect any difference in the rate at which the two groups develop a disease. Lifestyle factors (such as diet) as well as family and work histories are examined in those with the disease and those without the disease. Factors known to be associated with a specific disease are of particular interest. In this way, characteristics and exposures that are associated with the occurrence of the disease can be identified.
