Mortality in patients with cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection: Results from the Argentinean Network of Hospital-Based Cancer Registries.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is an important risk factor in patients with COVID-19. We aimed to describe the clinical and demographic characteristics associated with mortality in patients with cancer who were infected with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study of 1206 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and cancer, registered in the Argentinean Network of Hospital-Based Cancer Registries (RITA) from March 31, 2020 to January 31, 2021. Demographic and clinical differences between survivors and non-survivors were summarized using descriptive statistics. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality within 30 days of COVID-19 diagnosis. Risk factors for mortality were identified using logistic regression models. RESULTS: 1206 patients with cancer and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included, median age was 54 years (interquartile range: 42-65); 793 (65.8%) were female. 1101 (91.3%) had solid tumors and 105(8.7%) had hematological malignancies. The most frequent solid tumor was breast (278, 23.1%), while lymphoma was the main hematological one (59, 4.9%). Cervical cancer was more frequent in survivors, while lung cancer predominated in non-survivors. 275 (22.8%) patients were diagnosed with cancer within the past year. A total of 129 (10.7%) patients died within 30 days after COVID-19 diagnosis, with a case fatality rate of 15.2% (16/105) for hematologic malignancies and 10.3% (113/1101) for solid tumors. Multivariable regression analysis showed that age 60-79 (odds ratio [OR]: 4.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.72-9.70), age ≥ 80 (OR: 12.86, 95%CI: 5.08-32.54), time since cancer diagnosis < 1 year (OR: 2.49, 95%CI: 1.57-3.93) and 1-2 years (OR: 2.20, 95%CI: 1.36-3.57), and lung cancer (OR: 4.35, 95%CI: 2.02-9.36) were risk factors for death. CONCLUSION: Patients with cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection had a high case-fatality rate. Identified risk factors (older age, recent diagnosis and lung type) could guide prevention strategies aimed at reducing the risk of dying from COVID-19 in cancer patients.

African biogeographical ancestry, atopic and non-atopic asthma and atopy: A study in Latin American children.

BACKGROUND: Genetic variants underlying African ancestry have been suggested be implicated in the ethnic-racial inequalities reported for asthma and allergies. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between individual African ancestry and asthma symptoms, atopic and non-atopic asthma, and atopy in children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study encompassing 1190 individuals was conducted. African biogeographic ancestry was estimated using 370 539 genome-wide SNPs. Serum levels of specific IgE were measured, and skin prick test (SPT) performed for the most common local aeroallergens. Information on asthma symptoms was obtained by applying the International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Childhood questionnaire. The associations between the proportion of individual African ancestry and the outcomes investigated were analyzed through multivariate models adjusted for socio-environmental variables, infections markers, and psychosocial factors. RESULTS: Each 20% increase in the proportion of African ancestry was negatively associated with SPT reactivity (OR: 0.79, 95%CI: 0.66-0.96) and positively associated with asthma symptoms in non-atopic individuals (OR: 1.40, 95%CI: 1.03-1.89). We estimated that socioeconomic status and number of infections mediated 28.4% of the effect of African ancestry on SPT reactivity, while 20.2% of the effect on non-atopic asthma was explained by socioeconomic status and behavioral problems in children. CONCLUSIONS: The negative association observed between African ancestry and atopy is most probably explained by unobserved environmental or social factors that covariate with ancestry. For non-atopic asthma, in turn, putative genetic variants of risk underlying African ancestry may play some role.

Multidimensional approach to iron deficiency anemia in infants younger than two years old in Northeast Argentina. 2004-2005.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is high among infants younger than two years old, especially in disadvantaged populations. OBJECTIVE: To study certain social and biological determinants associated with IDA in children aged 12 to 23.9 months old in Northeast Argentina in the 2004-2005 period. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional design. Explanatory outcome measures were organized in three levels: distal (food assistance, unmet basic needs, and head of household with medical coverage), intermediate (breastfeeding, iron supplementation, and iron intake), and proximal (nutritional status, gestational age, birth weight, age, and sex). The association between selected outcome measures and IDA (Hb< 11 g/dL, ferritin < 12 ng/dL, WBCs < 15 000/mL) was assessed using logistic regression models with hierarchical selection of outcome measures. RESULTS: Lack of food assistance (OR: 1.85 [1.14, 3.02]) and inadequate iron intake (OR: 2.60 [1.18, 5.71]) were associated with IDA. The prevalence of anemia was higher with a younger gestational age (OR: 0.89 [0.81, 0.97]) and a younger age in months old (OR: 0.90 [0.84, 0.96]). CONCLUSIONS: This study evidences the strong and complex relationship between social determinants and anemia, a disease that is highly prevalent among young children. Food assistance programs may have a protective effect against IDA; consumption of fortified foods may improve iron intake in infants younger than two years old. In addition, emphasis is placed on the need to assess the impact of policies on population health.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La prevalencia de anemia por déficit de hierro (ADH) es alta en niños menores de dos años, especialmente en poblaciones carenciadas. Objetivo. Estudiar algunos determinantes sociales y biológicos que se asocian con la ADH en niños de 12 a 23,9 meses de edad de la región del Noreste Argentino durante los años 2004-2005. METODOLOGÍA: Diseño transversal. Las variables explicativas fueron organizadas en tres niveles: distal (asistencia alimentaria, necesidades básicas insatisfechas, cobertura médica del j efe de hogar), intermedio (lactancia materna, suplementación con hierro y consumo de hierro) y proximal (estado nutricional, edad gestacional, peso al nacer, edad y sexo). La asociación entre las variables seleccionadas y ADH (Hb < 11 g/dl, ferritina < 12 ng/dl, glóbulos blancos < 15 000 ml) fue examinada con modelos de regresión logística con selecciónjerárquica de las variables. RESULTADOS: La falta de asistencia alimentaria [OR 1,85 (1,14; 3,02)] y el consumo inadecuado de hierro [OR 2,60 (1,18; 5,71)] fueron asociados a ADH. Cuanto menor la edad gestacional [OR 0,89 (0,81; 0,97)] y menor la edad en meses [OR 0,90 (0,84; 0,96)], mayor la prevalencia de anemia. CONCLUSIONES: Este estudio pone en evidencia la estrecha y compleja relación entre los determinantes sociales y una enfermedad altamente prevalente en niños pequeños, como la anemia. Los programas de asistencia alimentaria tendrían un efecto protector sobre la ADH; el consumo de alimentos fortificados mejoraría la ingesta de hierro en los niños menores de dos años de edad. Se resalta, además, la necesidad de realizar evaluaciones del impacto de las políticas sobre la salud de la población.

Abordaje multidimensional de la anemia por deficiencia de hierro en niños menores de dos años de edad del Noreste Argentino: Años 2004-2005 / Multidimensional approach to iron deficiency anemia in infants younger than two years old in Northeast Argentina: 2004-2005

Introducción. La prevalencia de anemia por déficit de hierro (ADH) es alta en niños menores de dos años, especialmente en poblaciones carenciadas. Objetivo. Estudiar algunos determinantes sociales y biológicos que se asocian con la ADH en niños de 12 a 23,9 meses de edad de la región del Noreste Argentino durante los años 2004-2005. Metodología. Diseño transversal. Las variables explicativas fueron organizadas en tres niveles: distal (asistencia alimentaria, necesidades básicas insatisfechas, cobertura médica del j efe de hogar), intermedio (lactancia materna, suplementación con hierro y consumo de hierro) y proximal (estado nutricional, edad gestacional, peso al nacer, edad y sexo). La asociación entre las variables seleccionadas y ADH (Hb < 11 g/dl, ferritina < 12 ng/dl, glóbulos blancos < 15 000 ml) fue examinada con modelos de regresión logística con selecciónjerárquica de las variables. Resultados. La falta de asistencia alimentaria -#91;OR 1,85 (1,14; 3,02)-#93; y el consumo inadecuado de hierro -#91;OR 2,60 (1,18; 5,71)-#93; fueron asociados a ADH. Cuanto menor la edad gestacional -#91;OR 0,89 (0,81; 0,97)-#93; y menor la edad en meses -#91;OR 0,90 (0,84; 0,96)-#93;, mayor la prevalencia de anemia. Conclusiones. Este estudio pone en evidencia la estrecha y compleja relación entre los determinantes sociales y una enfermedad altamente prevalente en niños pequenos, como la anemia. Los programas de asistencia alimentaria tendrían un efecto protector sobre la ADH; el consumo de alimentos fortificados mejoraría la ingesta de hierro en los niños menores de dos años de edad. Se resalta, además, la necesidad de realizar evaluaciones del impacto de las políticas sobre la salud de la población.

Introduction. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is high among infants younger than two years old, especially in disadvantaged populations. Objective. To study certain social and biological determinants associated with IDA in children aged 12 to 23.9 months old in Northeast Argentina in the 2004-2005 period. Methodology. Cross-sectional design. Explanatory outcome measures were organized in three levels: distal (food assistance, unmet basic needs, and head of household with medical coverage), intermediate (breastfeeding, iron supplementation, and iron intake), and proximal (nutritional status, gestational age, birth weight, age, and sex). The association between selected outcome measures and IDA (Hb< 11 g/dL, ferritin < 12 ng/dL, WBCs < 15 000/mL) was assessed using logistic regression models withhierarchical selection of outcome measures. Results. Lack of food assistance (OR: 1.85 -#91;1.14, 3.02-#93;) and inadequate iron intake (OR: 2.60 -#91;1.18, 5.71-#93;) were associated with IDA. The prevalence of anemia was higher with a younger gestational age (OR: 0.89 -#91;0.81, 0.97-#93;) and a younger age in months old (OR: 0.90 -#91;0.84, 0.96-#93;). Conclusions. This study evidences the strong and complex relationship between social determinants and anemia, a disease that is highly prevalent among young children. Food assistance programs may have a protective effect against IDA; consumption of fortified foods may improve iron intake in infants younger than two years old. In addition, emphasis is placed on the need to assess the impact of policies on population health.

Social determinants of childhood asthma symptoms: an ecological study in urban Latin America.

Asthma is an important public health problem in urban Latin America. This study aimed to analyze the role of socioeconomic and environmental factors as potential determinants of asthma symptoms prevalence in children from Latin American (LA) urban centers. We selected 31 LA urban centers with complete data, and an ecological analysis was performed. According to our theoretical framework, the explanatory variables were classified in three levels: distal, intermediate, and proximate. The association between variables in the three levels and prevalence of asthma symptoms was examined by bivariate and multivariate linear regression analysis weighed by sample size. In a second stage, we fitted several linear regression models introducing sequentially the variables according to the predefined hierarchy. In the final hierarchical model Gini Index, crowding, sanitation, variation in infant mortality rates and homicide rates, explained great part of the variance in asthma prevalence between centers (R(2) = 75.0 %). We found a strong association between socioeconomic and environmental variables and prevalence of asthma symptoms in LA urban children, and according to our hierarchical framework and the results found we suggest that social inequalities (measured by the Gini Index) is a central determinant to explain high prevalence of asthma in LA.