---
title: "The 'Epidemiological Report' Package"
author: "European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)"
output:
rmarkdown::html_vignette:
toc: yes
vignette: >
%\VignetteIndexEntry{The 'Epidemiological Report' Package}
%\VignetteEngine{knitr::rmarkdown}
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---
<style>
.myTable td {
width: 400px;
}
</style>
```{r setup, include = FALSE}
knitr::opts_chunk$set(
collapse = TRUE,
comment = "#>"
)
```
## Description
The EpiReport package allows the user to draft an epidemiological report similar to the ECDC Annual Epidemiological Report (AER)
(see https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/monitoring/all-annual-epidemiological-reports)
in Microsoft Word format for a given disease.
Through standalone functions, the package is specifically designed to generate
each disease-specific output presented in these reports, using ECDC Atlas export data.
Package details below:
```{r, echo = FALSE}
pkgVersion <- packageDescription("EpiReport")$Version
pkgDate <- packageDescription("EpiReport")$Date
authorsString <- gsub("^ *|(?<= ) |\n| *$", "",
packageDescription("EpiReport")$Authors, perl = TRUE)
authorList <- eval(parse(text = authorsString))
pkgAuthors <- paste(format(authorList,
include = c("given", "family", "email", "comment"),
braces = list(email = c("<", ">,<br />"), comment = c("", ""))),
collapse = "<br /><br />")
pkgMaintainer <- packageDescription("EpiReport")$Maintainer
pkgLicense <- packageDescription("EpiReport")$License
pkgUrl <- packageDescription("EpiReport")$URL
```
Package | Description
--------- | ----------------
Version | `r pkgVersion`
Published | `r pkgDate`
Authors | `r pkgAuthors`
Maintainer | `r pkgMaintainer`
License | `r pkgLicense`
Link to the ECDC AER reports | `r pkgUrl`
## Background
ECDC's annual epidemiological report is available as a series of individual
epidemiological disease reports. Reports are published on the ECDC website
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/monitoring/all-annual-epidemiological-reports
as they become available.
The year given in the title of the report (i.e. 'Annual epidemiological report for 2016')
refers to the year the data were collected. Reports are usually available for publication
one year after data collection is complete.
All reports are based on data collected through The European Surveillance System (TESSy)[^1]
and exported from the ECDC Atlas.
Countries participating in disease surveillance submit their data electronically.
The communicable diseases and related health issues covered by the reports
are under European Union and European Economic Area disease surveillance[^2] [^3] [^4] [^5].
ECDC's annual surveillance reports provide a wealth of epidemiological data
to support decision-making at the national level.
They are mainly intended for public health professionals and policymakers
involved in disease prevention and control programmes.
[^1]: The European Surveillance System (TESSy) is a system for the collection,
analysis and dissemination of data on communicable diseases.
EU Member States and EEA countries contribute to the system
by uploading their infectious disease surveillance data at regular intervals.
[^2]: 2000/96/EC: Commission Decision of 22 December 1999
on the communicable diseases to be progressively covered
by the Community network under Decision No 2119/98/EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council. Official Journal, OJ L 28, 03.02.2000, p. 50-53.
[^3]: 2003/534/EC: Commission Decision of 17 July 2003 amending Decision No 2119/98/EC
of the European Parliament and of the Council and Decision 2000/96/EC
as regards communicable diseases listed in those decisions and amending
Decision 2002/253/EC as regards the case definitions for communicable diseases.
Official Journal, OJ L 184, 23.07.2003, p. 35-39.
[^4]: 2007/875/EC: Commission Decision of 18 December 2007 amending Decision
No 2119/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Decision 2000/96/EC
as regards communicable diseases listed in those decisions. Official Journal, OJ L 344, 28.12.2007, p. 48-49.
[^5]: Commission Decision 2119/98/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 1998
setting up a network for the epidemiological surveillance and control of
communicable diseases in the Community. Official Journal, OJ L 268, 03/10/1998 p. 1-7.
## 1. Datasets to be used in the Epidemiological Report package
### 1.1. Disease dataset specification
Two types of datasets can be used:
* The default dataset included in the `EpiReport` package which includes
Salmonellosis data for 2012-2016: `EpiReport::SALM2016`;
* Any dataset specified as described below.
Description of each variable required in the disease dataset (naming and format):
* `HealthTopicCode`: Character string, disease code
(see also the reports parameter table Tab.3);
* `MeasurePopulation`: Character string, population characteristics
(e.g. All cases, Confirmed cases, Serotype AGONA, Serotype BAREILLY etc.).
* `MeasureCode`: Character string, code of the indicators available
(e.g. ALL.COUNT, ALL.RATE, CONFIRMED.AGESTANDARDISED.RATE etc.);
* `TimeUnit`: Character string, unit of the time variable `TimeCode`
(e.g. `M` for monthly data, `Y` for yearly data).
* `TimeCode`: Character string, time variable including dates in any formats available
i.e. yearly data (e.g. 2001) or monthly data (e.g. 2001-01);
* `GeoCode`: Character string, geographical level in coded format
(e.g. `AT` for Austria, `BE` for Belgium, `BG` for Bulgaria,
see also the `EpiReport::MSCode` table, correspondence table for Member State labels and codes);
* `XLabel`: The label associated with the x-axis in the epidemiological report
(see `getAgeGender()` and `plotAgeGender()` bar graph for the age variable);
* `YLabel`: The label associated with the y-axis in the epidemiological report
(see `getAgeGender()` and `plotAgeGender()` bar graph for the grouping variable gender);
* `ZValue`: The value associated with the stratification of `XLabel` and `YLabel`
in the age and gender bar graph (see `getAgeGender()` and `plotAgeGender()`);
* `YValue`: The value associated with the y-axis in the epidemiological report
(see `plotAge` bar graph for the variable age, or `getTableByMS()` for the number of cases,
rate or age-standardised rate in the table by Member States by year);
* `N`: Integer, number of cases (see `getTrend()` and `getSeason()` line graph).
```{r, echo=FALSE, results='asis'}
my_dataset <- EpiReport::SALM2016
my_dataset <- dplyr::select(my_dataset,
c("HealthTopicCode", "MeasurePopulation", "MeasureCode",
"TimeUnit", "TimeCode", "GeoCode", "XLabel",
"YLabel", "ZValue", "YValue", "N"))
knitr::kable(my_dataset[sample(1:nrow(EpiReport::SALM2016), 10), ],
row.names = FALSE,
format = "html", table.attr = 'class="myTable"',
caption = "__Tab.1 Example of Salmonellosis data 2012-2016__")
```
### 1.2. Report parameters dataset specification
The internal dataset `EpiReport::AERparams` describes the parameters to be used
for each output of each disease report.
If the user wishes to set different parameters for one of the 53 covered health topics,
or if the user wishes to analyse an additional disease not covered by the default
parameter table, it is possible to use an external dataset as long as it is
specified as described below and in the help page `?EpiReport::AERparams`.
All functions of the `EpiReport` package can then be fed with this specific parameter table.
List of the main parameters included:
* `HealthTopic`: Character string, disease code that should match
with the health topic code from the disease-specific dataset (see Tab.1)
* `MeasurePopulation`: Character string, population to present in the report:
either `ALL` cases or `CONFIRMED` cases only.
* `TableUse`: Character string, specifying whether to include the table in the epidemiological report and which table to include:
+ `NO`: No table included
+ `COUNT`: Table presenting the __number of cases__ by Member State by year
+ `RATE`: Table presenting the __rates__ of cases by Member State by year
+ `ASR`: Table presenting the __age-standardised__ rates of cases
by Member State by year
* `AgeGenderUse`: Character string, specifying whether to include the age and gender
bar graph in the epidemiological report and which type of graph to include:
+ `NO`: No graph included
+ `AG-COUNT`: Bar graph presenting the __number of cases__ by age and gender
+ `AG-RATE`: Bar graph presenting the __rates__ of cases by age and gender
+ `AG-PROP`: Bar graph presenting the __proportion__ of cases by age and gender
+ `A-RATE`: Bar graph presenting the __rates__ of cases by age
* `TSTrendGraphUse`: Yes/No, specifying whether to include a line graph describing
the trend of the disease over the time.
* `TSSeasonalityGraphUse`: Yes/No, specifying whether to include a line graph
describing the seasonality of the disease.
* `MapNumbersUse`: Yes/No, specifying whether to include the map presenting
the __number of cases__ by Member State.
* `MapRatesUse`: Yes/No, specifying whether to include the map presenting
the __rates__ of cases by Member State.
* `MapASRUse`: Yes/No, specifying whether to include the map presenting
the __age-standardised rates__ of cases by Member State.
```{r, echo=FALSE, results='asis'}
my_dataset <- EpiReport::AERparams
my_dataset <- dplyr::select(my_dataset,
c("HealthTopic", "MeasurePopulation",
"TableUse", "AgeGenderUse",
"TSTrendGraphUse", "TSSeasonalityGraphUse",
"MapNumbersUse", "MapRatesUse", "MapASRUse"))
knitr::kable(my_dataset[sample(1:nrow(EpiReport::AERparams), 5), ],
row.names = FALSE,
format = "html", table.attr = 'class="myTable"',
caption = "__Tab.2 Example of the main columns of the parameter dataset__")
```
### 1.3. Member States correspondence table dataset
The internal dataset `EpiReport::MSCode` provides the correspondence table
of the geographical code `GeoCode` used in the disease dataset,
and the geographical label `Country` to use throughout the report.
Additional information on the EU/EEA affiliation is also available in column `EUEEA`.
```{r, echo=FALSE, results='asis'}
my_dataset <- EpiReport::MSCode
knitr::kable(my_dataset[sample(1:nrow(EpiReport::MSCode), 5), ],
row.names = FALSE,
format = "html", table.attr = 'class="myTable"',
caption = "__Tab.3 Example of geographical codes and associated labels__")
```
## 2. How to generate the Epidemiological Report in Microsoft Word format
To generate a similar report to the Annual Epidemiological Report, we can use the default dataset
included in the `EpiReport` package presenting Salmonellosis data 2012-2016.
Calling the function `getAER()`, the Salmonellosis 2016 report will be generated
and stored in your working directory (see `getwd()`) by default.
```{r, eval=FALSE}
getAER()
```
Please specify the full path to the output folder if necessary:
```{r, eval=FALSE}
output <- "C:/EpiReport/doc/"
getAER(outputPath = output)
```
### 2.1. External disease dataset
To generate the report using an external dataset, please use the syntax below.
In the following example, Pertussis 2016 TESSy data (in csv format, in the `/data`
folder) is used to produce the corresponding report.
Pertussis PNG maps have previously been created and stored in a specific folder `/maps`.
```{r, warning=FALSE}
# --- Importing the dataset
PERT2016 <- read.table("data/PERT2016.csv",
sep = ",",
header = TRUE,
stringsAsFactors = FALSE)
# --- Specifying the folder containing pertussis maps
pathMap <- paste(getwd(), "/maps", sep = "")
# --- (optional) Setting the local language in English for month label
Sys.setlocale("LC_TIME", "C")
# --- Producing the report
EpiReport::getAER(disease = "PERT",
year = 2016,
x = PERT2016,
pathPNG = pathMap)
```
Please note that the font `Tahoma` is used in the plot axis and legend.
It is advised to import this font using the `extrafont` package and the command
`font_import` and `loadfonts`.
However, if the users prefer the use of the default `Arial` in plots, it is optional.
In that case, warnings will appear in the console for each plot.
### 2.2. Word template
By default, an empty ECDC template (Microsoft Word) is used to produce the report.
In order to modify this template, please first download the default template
using the function `getTemplate()`.
You can store this Microsoft Word template in a specific folder `/template`.
```{r, eval = FALSE}
getTemplate(output_path = "C:/EpiReport/template")
```
Then, apply the modifications required, save it and use it as a new Microsoft
Word template when producing the epidemiological report as described below.
```{r, eval = FALSE}
getAER(template = "C:/EpiReport/template/New_AER_Template.docx",
outputPath = "C:/EpiReport/doc/")
```
Please make sure that the Microsoft Word bookmarks are preserved throughout the
modifications to the template. The bookmarks specify the location where to include
each output.
### 2.3. Word bookmarks
Each epidemiological output will be included in the Word template
in the corresponding report chapter.
The `EpiReport` package relies on Microsoft Word bookmarks to specify
the exact location where to include each output.
The list of bookmarks recognised by the `EpiReport` package are:
- YEAR
- DISEASE
- DATEPUBLICATLAS
- TABLE1_CAPTION
- TABLE1
- MAP_NB_CAPTION
- MAP_NB
- MAP_RATE_CAPTION
- MAP_RATE
- MAP_ASR_CAPTION
- MAP_ASR
- TS_TREND_CAPTION
- TS_TREND
- TS_TREND_COUNTRIES
- TS_SEASON_CAPTION
- TS_SEASON
- TS_SEASON_COUNTRIES
- BARGPH_AGEGENDER_CAPTION
- BARGPH_AGEGENDER
- BARGPH_AGE_CAPTION
- BARGPH_AGE
## 3. How to generate each epidemiological outputs independently
The `EpiReport` package allows the user to generate each epidemiological output
independently of the Microsoft Word report.
The ECDC annual epidemiological Report includes five types of outputs:
* __Table__: Distribution of cases by Member State over the last five years with:
+ the number of cases only;
+ the number of cases and the corresponding rate per 100 000 population or
+ the number of cases, the rate and the age-standardised rate per 100 000 population.
* __Seasonality plot__: Distribution of cases at EU/EEA level, by month,
over the past five years.
* __Trend plot__: Trend and number of cases at EU/EEA level, by month,
over the past five years.
* __Map__: Distribution of cases by Member State presenting either:
+ the number of cases;
+ the rates per 100 000 population;
+ the age-standardised rates per 100 000 population.
* __Age and gender bar graph__: Distribution of cases at EU/EEA level:
+ by age and gender and using:
+ the number of cases
+ the rate
+ the proportion of cases
+ by age only and using the rate.
### 3.1. Table: distribution of cases by Member State
The function `getTableByMS()` generates a `flextable` object (see package
`flextable`) presenting the number of cases by Member State over the last five years.
By default, the function will use the internal Salmonellosis 2012-2016 data and
present the number of confirmed cases and the corresponding rate for each year,
with a focus on 2016 and age-standardised rates.
```{r, eval = FALSE}
EpiReport::getTableByMS()
```
```{r, echo = FALSE}
knitr::knit_print(EpiReport::getTableByMS())
```
<center> ___Table. Distribution of confirmed salmonellosis cases, EU/EEA, 2012-2016___ </center>
This table can be drafted using external data, and specifying the disease code
and the year to use as reference in the report.
In the example below, we use Zika virus data. According to the report parameters,
the table for this disease should present the number of reported cases
over the last five years and by Member State.
```{r, eval = FALSE}
ZIKV2016 <- read.table("data/ZIKV2016.csv",
sep = ",",
header = TRUE,
stringsAsFactors = FALSE)
EpiReport::getTableByMS(x = ZIKV2016,
disease = "ZIKV",
year = 2016)
```
```{r, echo = FALSE}
ZIKV2016 <- read.table("data/ZIKV2016.csv",
sep = ",",
header = TRUE,
stringsAsFactors = FALSE)
knitr::knit_print(EpiReport::getTableByMS(x = ZIKV2016,
disease = "ZIKV",
year = 2016))
```
<center> ___Table. Distribution of Zika virus infection cases, EU/EEA, 2012-2016___ </center>
### 3.2. Seasonality plot: distribution of cases by month
The function `getSeason()` generates a ggplot (see package `ggplot2`) presenting
the distribution of cases at EU/EEA level, by month, over the past five years.
The plot includes:
* The number of cases by month in the reference year (green solid line)
* The mean number of cases by month in the four previous years (grey dashed line)
* The minimum number of cases by month in the four previous years (grey area)
* The maximum number of cases by month in the four previous years (grey area)
By default, the function will use the internal Salmonellosis 2012-2016 data.
```{r, fig.width = 7}
# --- Salmonellosis 2016 plot
EpiReport::getSeason()
```
___Figure. Distribution of confirmed salmonellosis cases by month, EU/EEA, 2016 and 2012-2015___
The plot can also be drafted using external data, and specifying the disease dataset,
the disease code and the year to use as reference in the report.
In the example below, we use Pertussis 2012-2016 data.
```{r, fig.width = 7}
# --- Pertussis 2016 plot
EpiReport::getSeason(x = PERT2016,
disease = "PERT",
year = 2016)
```
___Figure. Distribution of pertussis cases by month, EU/EEA, 2016 and 2012-2015___
### 3.3. Trend plot: trend and number of cases by month
The function `getTrend()` generates a ggplot (see package `ggplot2`) presenting
the trend and the number of cases at EU/EEA level, by month, over the past five years.
The plot includes:
* The number of cases by month over the 5-year period (grey solid line)
* The 12-month moving average of the number of cases by month (green solid line)
By default, the function will use the internal Salmonellosis 2012-2016 data.
```{r, fig.width = 7}
# --- Salmonellosis 2016 plot
EpiReport::getTrend()
```
___Figure. Trend and number of confirmed salmonellosis cases, EU/EEA by month, 2012-2016___
The plot can also be drafted using external data, and specifying the disease dataset,
the disease code and the year to use as reference in the report.
In the example below, we use again Pertussis 2012-2016 data.
```{r, fig.width = 7}
# --- Pertussis 2016 plot
EpiReport::getTrend(x = PERT2016,
disease = "PERT",
year = 2016)
```
___Figure. Trend and number of pertussis cases, EU/EEA by month, 2012-2016___
### 3.4. Maps: distribution of cases by Member State
The function `getMap()` provides with a preview of the PNG map associated with the disease.
By default, the function will use the internal Salmonellosis 2016 PNG maps.
According to the report parameters, the corresponding map should present
the notification rate of confirmed salmonellosis cases.
```{r, fig.width = 7, fig.height=5, fig.retina=4, results='hide'}
# --- Salmonellosis 2016 map
EpiReport::getMap()
```
___Figure. Distribution of confirmed salmonellosis cases per 100 000 population by country, EU/EEA, 2016___
The map can also be included using external PNG files, and specifying
the disease code and the year to use as reference in the report.
The corresponding syntax is described below (pertussis map not available).
```{r, eval = FALSE}
# --- Pertussis 2016 map
EpiReport::getMap(disease = "PERT",
year = 2016,
pathPNG = "C:/EpiReport/maps/")
```
### 3.5. Age and gender bar graph
The function `getAgeGender()` generates a ggplot (see package `ggplot2`)
presenting in a bar graph the distribution of cases at EU/EEA level by age and gender.
The bar graph uses either:
* The number of cases,
* The rate per 100 000 cases,
* The proportion of cases.
By default, the function will use the internal Salmonellosis 2012-2016 data with
the rate of confirmed cases per 100 000 population.
```{r, fig.width = 7}
# --- Salmonellosis 2016 bar graph
EpiReport::getAgeGender()
```
___Figure. Distribution of confirmed salmonellosis cases per 100 000 population, by age and gender, EU/EEA, 2016___
The bar graph can also be drafted using external data, and specifying the disease
dataset, the disease code and the year to use as reference in the report.
In the example below, we use Zika 2012-2016 data.
```{r, fig.width = 7}
# --- Zika 2016 bar graph
EpiReport::getAgeGender(x = ZIKV2016,
disease = "ZIKV",
year = 2016)
```
___Figure. Distribution of Zika virus infection proportion (%), by age and gender, EU/EEA, 2016___