Recovering missing mesothelioma deaths in death certificates using hospital records.

BACKGROUND: In Brazil, underreporting of mesothelioma and cancer of the pleura (MCP) is suspected to be high. Records from death certificates (SIM) and hospital registers (SIH-SUS) can be combined to recover missing data but only anonymous databases are available. This study shows how common data can be used for linkage and as an assessment of accuracy. METHODS: Mesothelioma (all sites, ICD-10 codes C45.0-C45.9) and cancer of the pleura (C38.4) were retrieved from both information systems and combined using a linkage algorithm. Accuracy was examined with non-anonymous databases, limited to the state of São Paulo. RESULTS: We found 775 cases in death certificates and 283 in hospital registers. The linkage matched 57 cases, all accurately paired. Three cases, 0.4% in SIM and 1.3% in SIH-SUS, could not be matched because of data inconsistencies. CONCLUSIONS: A computer linkage can recover MCP cases from hospital records not found in death certificates in Brazil.

Completeness of notifications of accidents involving venomous animals in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases: a descriptive study, Brazil, 2007-2019.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the completeness of notifications of accidents involving venomous animals held on the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System (SINAN), in Brazil and its macro-regions, from 2007 to 2019. METHODS: we analyzed essential and non-mandatory fields for snakebite, spider bite and scorpion sting notifications, considering the following completeness categories: Excellent (≤5.0% incompleteness), Good (5.0% to 10.0%), Regular (10.0% to 20.0%), Poor (20.0% to ≤50.0%) and Very Poor (>50.0%). Proportional change in completeness between 2007 and 2019 was estimated. RESULTS: 1,871,462 notifications were investigated. The "localized manifestations", "systemic manifestations", "case classification", "case progression" and "zone of occurrence" fields had excellent or good completeness. Completeness was regular or poor for the "schooling" and "race/color" fields. The "occupation" field was predominantly poorly or very poorly filled in. There was a proportional worsening in completeness (PC<0) in most regions for the "zone of occurrence", "case progression" and "schooling" fields. CONCLUSION: completeness of most fields improved, although socioeconomic and occupational fields require more attention.

Correction: Saito et al. Sex-Specific Mortality from Asbestos-Related Diseases, Lung and Ovarian Cancer in Municipalities with High Asbestos Consumption, Brazil, 2000-2017. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 3656.

In the original publication [...].

Sex-Specific Mortality from Asbestos-Related Diseases, Lung and Ovarian Cancer in Municipalities with High Asbestos Consumption, Brazil, 2000-2017.

The aim of this study is to compare the mortality rates for typical asbestos-related diseases (ARD-T: mesothelioma, asbestosis, and pleural plaques) and for lung and ovarian cancer in Brazilian municipalities where asbestos mines and asbestos-cement plants had been operating (areas with high asbestos consumption, H-ASB) compared with in other municipalities. The death records for adults aged 30+ years were retrieved from multiple health information systems. In the 2000-2017 time period, age-standardized mortality rates (standard: Brazil 2010) and standardized rate ratios (SRR; H-ASB vs. others) were estimated. The SRRs for ARD-T were 2.56 for men (257 deaths in H-ASB municipalities) and 1.19 for women (136 deaths). For lung cancer, the SRRs were 1.33 for men (32,604 deaths) and 1.19 for women (20,735 deaths). The SRR for ovarian cancer was 1.34 (8446 deaths). Except for ARD-T and lung cancer in women, the SRRs were higher in municipalities that began using asbestos before 1970 than in municipalities that began utilizing asbestos from 1970 onwards. In conclusion, the mortality rates for ARD-T, and lung and ovarian cancer in municipalities with a history of asbestos mining and asbestos-cement production exceed those of the whole country. Caution is needed when interpreting the results of this ecological study. Analytical studies are necessary to document the impact of asbestos exposure on health, particularly in the future given the long latency of asbestos-related cancers.

Analysis of Mortality from Asbestos-Related Diseases in Brazil Using Multiple Health Information Systems, 1996-2017.

Background: In Brazil, asbestos was intensively used from the 1960s until its ban in 2017. Mesothelioma, asbestosis, and pleural plaques are typical asbestos-related diseases (ARD-T). To create an ARD-T national database, death records from 1996-2017 were retrieved from several health information systems (HIS). Methods: All national HIS containing coded diagnoses (ICD-10) and death information were obtained. Linkage was performed to create a single database of ARD-T death records, either as underlying or contributory causes, in adults aged 30 years and older. Results: A total of 3,057 ARD-T death records were found, 2,405 (76.4%) of which being malignant mesotheliomas (MM). Pleural MM (n = 1,006; 41.8%) and unspecified MM (n = 792; 32.9%) prevailed. Male to female MM ratio (M:F) was 1.4:1, and higher ratios were found for non-malignant ARD-T: 3.5:1 for asbestosis and 2.4:1 for pleural plaques. Male crude annual mesothelioma mortality (CMmm x1,000,000) was 0.98 in 1996 and 2.26 in 2017, a 131.1% increment, while for females it was 1.04 and 1.25, a 20.2% increase, correspondingly. The small number of deaths with asbestosis and pleural plaques records precluded conclusive interpretations. Conclusions: Even with the linkage of several HIS, ARD-T in death records remained in low numbers. MM mortality in men was higher and showed a rapid increase and, along with non-malignant ARD-T, higher M:F ratios suggested a predominant pattern of work-related exposure. The monitoring of workplace and environmental asbestos exposure needs to be improved, as well as the workers surveillance, following the recent Brazilian ban.

Qualidade dos registros de ocupação das doenças associadas ao asbesto no sistema de informação sobre mortalidade, Brasil / Quality of occupation records of asbestos-related diseases in the mortality information system, Brazil

Resumo Introdução: Registros de ocupações de trabalhadores em sistemas de informação significam muito mais que um dado sociodemográfico. Na Medicina do Trabalho e na Epidemiologia em Saúde do Trabalhador, são especialmente relevantes por indicarem possíveis fatores de risco ocupacionais. Objetivo: Estimar indicadores de qualidade do registro da ocupação das doenças associadas ao asbesto no Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM), Brasil. Método: Estudo transversal conduzido com registros de óbito de maiores de 16 anos de idade, registrados no SIM, entre 2000-2016, com diagnósticos de doenças tipicamente associadas ao asbesto (DAA): mesotelioma, asbestose e placas pleurais. O registro da "ocupação" foi analisado para a completude e consistência. Resultados: Foram identificados 3.764 registros de óbito, para os quais observou-se 60,3% (n=2.268) de incompletude/inconsistência do registro da ocupação. Dados inválidos da ocupação representaram 40,1% (n=1.508), concentrando-se em registros de aposentados e donas de casa, não reconhecidos como ocupações. A má qualidade do registro de ocupação entre os óbitos por DAA foi superior a 50,0% em todas as regiões do país. Conclusões: A qualidade do registro da ocupação no SIM foi ruim tanto para as DAA quanto outros diagnósticos, especialmente no que se refere a completude e consistência dos dados, em relação à Classificação Brasileira de Ocupações.

Abstract Background: Records from occupations of workers in information systems mean much more than just sociodemographic data. In Occupational Medicine and Occupational Health Epidemiology, they are especially relevant as they indicate possible occupational risk factors. Objective: To estimate quality indicators of the record of occupation of asbestos-related diseases in the Mortality Information System (SIM), Brazil. Method: Cross-sectional study, conducted with death records of people over 16 years of age, registered in SIM, from 2000 to 2016, with diagnoses of asbestos-related diseases (ARD): mesothelioma, asbestosis, and pleural plaques. The "occupation" field was analyzed for completeness and consistency. Results: From a total of 3,764 death records, for which 60.3% (n=2,268) of missed/inconsistent occupation records were observed. Invalid occupation data accounted for 40.1% (n=1,508), mainly filled with "retired" or "housewives", not recognized as formal job titles. The poor occupancy record quality among ARD records was over 50.0% in all regions of the country. Conclusions: The quality of the occupation records in SIM was poor for both ARD and other diagnoses, especially regarding the completeness and consistency of the data, in relation to the Brazilian Classification of Occupations.

Completude das notificações dos acidentes por animais peçonhentos no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação: estudo descritivo, Brasil, 2007-2019 / Completeness of notifications of accidents involving venomous animals in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases: a descriptive study, Brazil, 2007-2019 / Completitud de las notificaciones de accidentes por animales ponzoñosos en el Sistema de Información de Agravamientos de Notificación: estudio descriptivo, Brasil, 2007-2019

Objective: to describe the completeness of notifications of accidents involving venomous animals held on the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System (SINAN), in Brazil and its macro-regions, from 2007 to 2019. Methods: we analyzed essential and non-mandatory fields for snakebite, spider bite and scorpion sting notifications, considering the following completeness categories: Excellent (≤ 5.0% incompleteness), Good (5.0% to 10.0%), Regular (10.0% to 20.0%), Poor (20.0% ≤ 50.0%) and Very Poor (> 50.0%). Proportional change in completeness between 2007 and 2019 was estimated. Results: 1,871,462 notifications were investigated. The "localized manifestations", "systemic manifestations", "case classification", "case progression" and "zone of occurrence" fields had excellent or good completeness. Completeness was regular or poor for the "schooling" and "race/color" fields. The "occupation" field was predominantly poorly or very poorly filled in. There was a proportional worsening in completeness ((VP < 0) in most regions for the "zone of occurrence", "case progression" and "schooling" fields. Conclusion: completeness of most fields improved, although socioeconomic and occupational fields require more attention.

Objetivo: describir la completitud de las notificaciones de envenenamiento por serpientes, arañas y escorpiones en el Sistema de Información de Enfermedades de Declaración - Sinan, en Brasil y regiones, de 2007 a 2019. Métodos: se analizaron campos esenciales y no obligatorios para las notificaciones de ofidismo, aracneismo y escorpionismo, considerando las categorías de completitud: Excelente (≤ 5,0% de incompletitud), Buena (5,0% a 10,0%), Regular (10,0% a 20,0%), Mala (20,0% ≤ 50,0%) y Muy mala (> 50,0%). Se estimó el cambio proporcional en la completitud entre 2007-2019. Resultados: se investigaron 1.871.462 notificaciones. Los campos "manifestaciones locales y sistémicas", "zona de ocurrencia", "clasificación y evolución de casos" presentaron excelente o buena completitud. "Escolaridad" y "raza/color de piel" regular o mala completitud. "Ocupación" fue predominantemente mala/muy mala completitud. "Zona","evolución" y "escolaridad" mostraron empeoramiento proporcional en la completitud en la mayoría de las regiones ((VP < 0). Conclusión: hay mejoría y completitud en la mayoría de los campos, aunque los campos socioeconómico y ocupacional demandan atención.

Objetivo: descrever a completude das notificações de acidentes causados por animais peçonhentos no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, no Brasil e macrorregiões, em 2007-2019. Métodos: analisou-se a completude de campos de preenchimento essenciais e não obrigatórios das notificações de ofidismo, araneísmo e escorpionismo, utilizando-se a classificação de "Excelente" (≤ 5,0% de incompletude), "Bom" (5,0% a 10,0%), "Regular" (10,0% a 20,0%), "Ruim" (20,0% e ≤ 50,0%) e "Muito ruim" (> 50,0%); estimou- -se a variação proporcional (VP) da completude. Resultados: foram investigadas 1.871.462 notificações; os campos "manifestações locais", "sistêmicas", "classificação do caso", "evolução do caso" e "zona de ocorrência" apresentaram completude excelente ou boa; "escolaridade" e "raça/cor da pele", completude regular ou ruim; ocupação, completude ruim ou muito ruim; "zona", "evolução do caso" e "escolaridade" apresentaram piora proporcional na completude, na maioria das regiões ((VP < 0). Conclusão: melhorou a completude na maioria dos campos, exceto socioeconômicos e ocupacionais, que demandam maior atenção.

Exposição ao ruído na indústria de transformação no Brasil / Exposure to noise in the manufacturing industry in Brazil

A exposição ao ruído no trabalho é o fator de risco modificável mais importante para a perda auditiva em adultos. Na indústria de transformação, a exposição a níveis elevados de pressão sonora afeta um grande número de trabalhadores. As normas brasileiras estabelecem como obrigatório, para todas as empresas, o monitoramento do ruído ocupacional e da condição auditiva dos trabalhadores, assim como garantias para a proteção do trabalhador. No entanto, a aplicação das normas é frágil e pouco se sabe sobre a distribuição de exposição ao ruído no País. Este estudo tem como objetivo investigar e sumarizar a distribuição da exposição ao ruído e do uso do equipamento de proteção auditiva entre trabalhadores da indústria de transformação no Brasil. A menor prevalência de exposição ao ruído dentre os ramos da indústria da transformação é de 45% e poucos são os dados sobre o uso do equipamento de proteção auditiva entre os trabalhadores expostos. Comparando-se os disponíveis para os diferentes ramos de atividade, a exposição ao ruído alcança níveis mais altos no ramo da fabricação de produtos de madeira, onde também se observa a menor proporção de uso do equipamento de proteção auditiva. A escassez de dados sobre as condições de trabalho, exposição ao ruído e proteção auditiva, limita os esforços em fazer com que a saúde auditiva seja incluída entre as prioridades da saúde pública no Brasil.

Occupational noise exposure is the most important modifiable risk factor for hearing loss in adults. The manufacturing industry has elevated levels of noise exposure that affect a large number of workers. The Brazilian norms state that noise and hearing function must be monitored, along with safeguards to protect workers, these are compulsory for all companies. However norms enforcement is weak and little is known about noise exposure distribution in the country. The purpose of this study is to investigate and summarize the distribution of noise exposure and use of hearing protection devices among workers in the manufacturing industry in Brazil. Among the manufacturing industry trends the minimum prevalence of noise exposure is 45%, and there are only a few data on the use of hearing protection device against hearing loss. Comparing available data from different industry trades, levels of noise exposure are higher in the logging and wood processing industry, together with a lower proportion of hearing protection device usage. The lack of data on work conditions, noise exposure and hearing protection limits the strength of hearing health among public health priorities in Brazil.