Global, Regional, and National Burden of Mesothelioma 1990-2019: A Systematic Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

Rationale: Mesothelioma has become a major health burden since World War II because of the use of asbestos. Although many countries have imposed bans on asbestos, there remain significant mortality and morbidity from mesothelioma because of its long latent period and aggressiveness. Also, the use of asbestos is increasing in low-income countries, potentiating risk of mesothelioma in the coming decades. Assessment of the global burden of mesothelioma is required to take proper measures against the disease. Objectives: To assess the burden of mesothelioma from 1990 to 2019 at the global, regional, and national levels and to investigate patterns according to sex, age, sociodemographic index, and risk factors. Methods: The numbers, rates, and age-standardized rates of incidence, death, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of mesothelioma in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019 were estimated using vital registration and cancer registry data. The relationship between sociodemographic index and age-standardized DALY rate was determined, and DALYs attributable to occupational exposure to asbestos were calculated. Results: In 2019, there were 34,511 (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 31,199 to 37,771) incident cases of mesothelioma globally, with an age-standardized rate of 0.43 per 100,000 persons (95% UI, 0.38 to 0.47), which decreased between 1990 and 2019 by -12.6% (95% UI, -21.8% to -2.3%). Mesothelioma was responsible for 29,251 (95% UI, 26,668 to 31,006) deaths in 2019, with an age-standardized rate of 0.36 deaths per 100,000 persons (95% UI, 0.33 to 0.39), which decreased between 1990 and 2019 by -9.6% (95% UI, -17.8% to -1.1%). The age-standardized incidence rate increased in central Europe between 1990 and 2019 by 46.1% (95% UI, 16.6% to 72.4%). The Netherlands, Australia, and the United Kingdom had the highest age-standardized incidence rates. Incidence rates were higher in men than in women ages 45-49 to 90-94 years, peaking at 85-89 years. Occupational exposure to asbestos contributed to 85.2% (95% UI, 82.1% to 88.1%) of DALYs. Conclusions: The global burden of mesothelioma is decreasing in terms of age-standardized incidence and mortality rates. Mesothelioma remains a substantial public health challenge in many parts of the world.

Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness of Portable Small-Bore Chest Tube (Thoracic Egg Catheter) in Spontaneous Pneumothorax.

BACKGROUND: Primary spontaneous pneumothorax is commonly treated with chest tube insertion, which requires hospitalization. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy, costs, and benefits of a portable small-bore chest tube (Thoracic Egg; Sumitomo Bakelite Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) compared with a conventional chest tube. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all primary spontaneous pneumothorax patients who underwent treatment at Gangnam Severance Hospital between August 2014 and May 2018. RESULTS: A total of 279 patients were divided into 2 groups: the conventional group (n=236) and the Thoracic Egg group (n=43). Of the 236 patients in the conventional group, 100 were excluded because they underwent surgery during the study period. The efficacy and cost were compared between the 2 groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding recurrence (conventional group, 36 patients [26.5%]; Thoracic Egg group, 15 patients [29.4%]; p=0.287). However, the Egg group had statistically significantly lower mean medical expenses than the conventional group (433,413 Korean won and 522,146 Korean won, respectively; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Although portable small-bore chest tubes may not be significantly more efficacious than conventional chest tubes, their use is significantly less expensive. We believe that the Thoracic Egg catheter could be a less costly alternative to conventional chest tube insertion.

Hyperhidrosis, Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy, and Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Cohort Study Based on the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service Database.

Sympathetic overactivity is associated with hyperhidrosis and cardiovascular diseases. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is a treatment for hyperhidrosis. We aimed to compare the risk for cardiovascular events between individuals with and without hyperhidrosis and investigate the effects of ETS on cardiovascular outcomes. We conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study using data acquired from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Subjects newly diagnosed with hyperhidrosis in 2010 were identified and divided into two groups according to whether or not they underwent ETS. Propensity scores were calculated using a logistic regression model to match hyperhidrosis patients with control subjects. Combined cardiovascular events were defined as stroke and ischemic heart diseases. Subjects were followed up until the first cardiovascular event or 31 December 2017. The risk for cardiovascular events with hyperhidrosis and ETS was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. The risk for stroke was significantly higher in the hyperhidrosis group than in the control group (hazard ratio (HR), 1.28; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08-1.51); nonetheless, no significant difference in the risk for ischemic heart diseases was observed between the hyperhidrosis group and the control group (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.99-1.31). Hyperhidrosis patients who did not undergo ETS were at significantly higher risk for cardiovascular events than the control group (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.13-1.45). However, no significant difference in the risk for cardiovascular events was observed between hyperhidrosis patients who underwent ETS and the control group. Hyperhidrosis increases the risk for cardiovascular events. ETS could reduce this risk and needs to be considered for high-risk patients with cardiovascular diseases.