3. Types d'études épidémiologiques

3.1 Descriptive studies (continued)

Case series

Example of a descriptive study that is a case series (a)

The study of a series of cases published in 1981 in the New England Journal of Medicine1 was the first to describe the newly acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: AIDS.

The diagnosis of pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis carinii in 4 young male homosexuals without any prior medical history, led to the identification of AIDS and the recognition of potential risk factors for the disease.

Case series are very useful for describing the natural history of a disease and to identify a new disease.

Gottlieb MS et al. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and mucosal candidiasis in previously healthy homosexual men: evidence of a new acquired cellular immunodeficiency. N Engl J Med. 1981;11:1425–1431.