Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute for Child and
Maternal Health
and
Departments of Community Health Sciences and Paediatrics
SPECIAL SEMINAR
M SARAH ROSE, PhD MSc
Applicant for Health Services and Population Health Researcher
“Development and Application of Biostatistical Methodology in Population
Health: Allostatic Load, Perinatal Distress and Preterm Birth”
In March 2013 a team of Global health Researchers led by Dr. Shahirose Premji of the
University of Calgary, submitted a proposal to CIHR. The overall goal of this study is to improve
maternal and infant health outcomes in high risk populations by investigating the multidimensional nature of perinatal distress and its influences on preterm birth, and by identifying
biomarkers of allostatic load, that will assist in identifying high risk mothers and infants. The
termed allostatic load, which refers to the overall wear and tear on the body by repeated
stressful events or chronic stress, was coined in 1993 but over 90% of the research in this area
has been published in the last 10 years. Statistical methods to capture this concept are as yet
inadequate and none have been scientifically validated. We propose an operationalization of
the concept in terms of a statistical model and develop a biomarker score to measure allostatic
load. Subsequently we propose simulation studies based on pilot study data to validate these
methods.
Objectives:
1. To operationalize of the concept of allostatic load and perinatal distress in terms of a
statistical model to predict preterm birth
2. To describe the development of a biomarker score to measure allostatic load
3. To describe the method of simulation studies in biostatistical research to estimate
sample size and validate the above statistical methods
This event is a self approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the
Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons
of Canada
Date: June 12, 2013
TIME: 12pm-1pm
LOCATION: W21C Multi-Purpose Room (TRW Building, G01-G02; next to Security)