Trends in chemotherapy use for early-stage breast cancer from 2006 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about how use of chemotherapy has evolved in breast cancer patients. We therefore describe chemotherapy patterns for women with stage I-IIIA breast cancer in the Optimal Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Dosing (OBCD) Study using data from KPNC (Kaiser Permanente Northern California) and KPWA (Kaiser Permanente Washington). FINDINGS: Among 33,670 women, aged 18 + y, diagnosed with primary stage I-IIIA breast cancer at KPNC and KPWA from 2006 to 2019, we explored patterns of intravenous chemotherapy use, defined here as receipt of intravenous cytotoxic drugs and/or anti-HER2 therapies. We evaluated trends in chemotherapy receipt, duration over which chemotherapy was received, and number of associated infusion visits. In secondary analyses, we stratified by receipt of anti-HER2 therapies (trastuzumab and/or pertuzumab), given their longer duration. 38.9% received chemotherapy intravenously, declining from 40.2% in 2006 to 35.6% in 2019 (p-trend < 0.001). Among 13,089 women receiving chemotherapy, neoadjuvant treatment increased (4.1-14.7%; p-trend < 0.001), as did receipt of anti-HER2 therapies (20.8-30.9%) (p-trend < 0.001). The average treatment duration increased (5.3 to 6.0 months; p-trend < 0.001), as did the number of infusion visits (10.8 to 12.5; p-trend < 0.001). For those receiving anti-HER2 therapies, treatment duration and average number of visits decreased; among those not receiving anti-HER2 therapies, number of visits increased, with no change in duration. CONCLUSIONS: While the prevalence of chemotherapy receipt has decreased over time, the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy has increased, as has use of anti-HER2 therapies; duration and number of administration visits have also increased. Understanding these trends is useful to inform clinical and administrative planning.

Patient characteristics associated with delayed time to adjuvant chemotherapy among women treated for stage I-IIIA breast cancer.

For patients with breast cancer, delays in chemotherapy initiation have been adversely associated with recurrence and survival. We evaluated patient-level factors associated with delayed chemotherapy initiation, from both diagnosis and surgery, in a community-based cohort of women with early-stage breast cancer. For the Optimal Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Dosing study, we identified a cohort of 34,109 women diagnosed with stage I-IIIA breast cancer at two U.S. integrated healthcare delivery systems between 2004 and 2019. We used logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to identify patient factors associated with delays in chemotherapy initiation after diagnosis (≥90 days) and surgery (≥60 days). Among 10,968 women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, 21.1% experienced delays in chemotherapy initiation after diagnosis and 21.3% after surgery. Older age, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic race and ethnicity, and ER+ and/or PR+ disease were associated with increased likelihood of delays to chemotherapy initiation after diagnosis and surgery. People diagnosed in 2012-2019 (vs. 2005-2011), with a higher grade and larger tumor size were less likely to experience delays. Other factors were associated with a higher likelihood of delays specifically from diagnosis (earlier stage, mastectomy vs. breast-conserving surgery), or surgery (higher comorbidity, increased nodal number). Women diagnosed with breast cancer who were at highest risk of progression and recurrence were less likely to experience delays in chemotherapy initiation after diagnosis and surgery. Understanding reasons for chemotherapy delays beyond patient factors may be potentially important to reduce risk of breast cancer recurrence and progression.

Number of Older Biological Siblings and Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Risk.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the United States.1 Although CRC incidence has declined in individuals >50 years, incidence is rising in adults <50 years (early onset).1 By 2027, CRC is projected to become the leading cause of cancer mortality in US adults <50 years.2 To combat the rising incidence of early onset CRC (EOCRC), national guidelines recently lowered the screening age from 50 to 45 years for average-risk individuals.3 Understanding the risk profile of EOCRC can help combat the rising burden in young adults, especially in those ineligible for screening.

Assessment of breast cancer chemotherapy dose reduction in an integrated healthcare delivery system.

PURPOSE: Most cytotoxic drugs are dosed using body surface area (BSA), yet not all cancer patients receive the full BSA-determined dose. Prior work suggests that breast cancer patients who are obese are more likely to experience dose reduction than normal weight patients. However, the factors driving dose reduction remain unclear. METHODS: In 452 women diagnosed with stage I-IIIA primary breast cancer at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, we evaluated the association between obesity and dose reduction, and further explored other factors in relation to dose reduction, including various sociodemographic characteristics, tumor characteristics, and comorbidities. Study participants were a part of the Pathways Study, diagnosed between 2006 and 2013 and treated with cyclophosphamide + doxorubicin, followed by paclitaxel (ACT). Dose reduction was assessed using first cycle dose proportion (FCDP) and average relative dose intensity (ARDI), a metric of dose intensity over the course of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Overall, 8% of participants received a FCDP < 90% and 21.2% had an ARDI < 90%, with dose reduction increasing with body mass index. In adjusted logistic regression models, obese women had 4.1-fold higher odds of receiving an ARDI < 90% than normal weight women (95% CI: 1.9-8.9; p-trend = 0.0006). Increasing age was positively associated with an ADRI < 90%, as was the presence of comorbidity. Dose reduction was less common in later calendar years. CONCLUSION: Results offer insight on factors associated with chemotherapy dosing for a common breast cancer regimen. Larger studies are required to evaluate relevance to other regimens, and further work will be needed to determine whether dose reductions impact outcomes in obese women.

Mediation analysis using incomplete information from publicly available data sources.

Our work was motivated by the question whether, and to what extent, well-established risk factors mediate the racial disparity observed for colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence in the United States. Mediation analysis examines the relationships between an exposure, a mediator and an outcome. All available methods require access to a single complete data set with these three variables. However, because population-based studies usually include few non-White participants, these approaches have limited utility in answering our motivating question. Recently, we developed novel methods to integrate several data sets with incomplete information for mediation analysis. These methods have two limitations: (i) they only consider a single mediator and (ii) they require a data set containing individual-level data on the mediator and exposure (and possibly confounders) obtained by independent and identically distributed sampling from the target population. Here, we propose a new method for mediation analysis with several different data sets that accommodates complex survey and registry data, and allows for multiple mediators. The proposed approach yields unbiased causal effects estimates and confidence intervals with nominal coverage in simulations. We apply our method to data from U.S. cancer registries, a U.S.-population-representative survey and summary level odds-ratio estimates, to rigorously evaluate what proportion of the difference in CRC risk between non-Hispanic Whites and Blacks is mediated by three potentially modifiable risk factors (CRC screening history, body mass index, and regular aspirin use).

Vitamin B12 Supplementation and Vitamin B12 Blood Serum Levels: Evaluation of Effect Modification by Gender and Smoking Status.

Research suggests that high intake of supplemental vitamin B12 may be associated with increased risk of cancer, with some evidence that this association may vary by gender and smoking status. This investigation evaluates if similar patterns in association are observed for data for 11,757 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2006). Survey-weighted multivariable-adjusted linear regression was used to evaluate the association between regular B12 supplement use and log-transformed serum B12 levels. Persons taking vitamin B12 through a multivitamin/multimineral (MVMM) had a median supplemental intake of 12 mcg/day (Q1: 6, Q3: 25), compared to 100 mcg/day (Q1: 22, Q3: 500) for persons reporting supplemental B12 intake through a MVMM-exclusive source. MVMM users had a geometric mean serum B12 26% (95% CI: 23%-30%) higher than nonusers, whereas MVMM-exclusive users' geometric mean was 61% (95% CI: 53%-70%) higher than nonusers (p-trend < 0.001). Although a positive trend (p-trend < 0.001) was observed for both men and women, the association was stronger among women (p-interaction < 0.001). No interaction was observed for smoking status (p-interaction = 0.45). B12 supplementation is associated with higher levels of serum B12, with significant interaction by gender but not smoking. Further work is needed to better understand the interplay of B12 and gender.

Clinical features of young onset colorectal cancer patients from a large cohort at a single cancer center.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe the demographics and clinical features of patients with young onset (YO) CRC. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with CRC diagnosed between ages 20 and 49 years was evaluated at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center from 1/2004 to 6/2019. We excluded those with a hereditary CRC syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or prior CRC diagnosis. Patient demographics; presenting symptoms; medical, surgical, and smoking history; family history of cancer; tumor characteristics; and pathology were obtained from the electronic medical record. RESULTS: We identified 3856 YO CRC patients (median age CRC diagnosis 43; 52.5% male). A total of 59.1% were overweight or obese (32.2% and 26.9%, respectively). Most (90.1%) had no family history of CRC in a first-degree relative; 56.3% of patients reported being never smokers; 5.2% had diabetes. The most common presenting symptoms were rectal bleeding (47.7%), abdominal pain/bloating (33.1%), and change in bowel habits (24.7%). The majority presented with left-sided cancers (77.3%), at late-stage disease (68.4% at stages 3 or 4). CONCLUSION: Most YO CRC patients presented with rectal bleeding or abdominal pain, left-sided cancers, and later-stage disease and had no family history of CRC in a first-degree relative. Over half were overweight and obese and were more likely to have never smoked. More data are needed to better understand YO CRC risk factors and to help identify high-risk populations who may benefit from earlier screening.

Association between fish oil supplements use and serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread pollutants and classified as potentially carcinogenic to humans. Although consumption of fish, seafood, and their byproducts is a known source of dietary PFAS exposure, little is known about the association between use of fish oil supplements and PFAS. Here, we examine associations between fish oil supplement use and serum PFAS concentrations. METHODS: This analysis includes adults, ages 25 years of age and older, surveyed as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examinations Survey (NHANES). Outcomes include five serum PFAS compounds: perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexane sulphonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA). To determine the association between fish oil use and log-transformed PFAS concentrations, survey-weighted linear regression was used to estimate multivariate-adjusted ratios between supplement-users' and non-users' geometric mean serum PFAS concentrations. RESULTS: No association was observed between fish oil use and PFAS. While results did not vary substantially by age, gender, study cycle, there was some indication of a potential inverse association in subgroups of interest. Specifically, an inverse association was observed between fish oil supplement use and PFOS levels in older adults, females, and in early calendar years; an inverse association was also observed between fish oil and PFNA in females and early calendar years. CONCLUSIONS: While fish oil users did not experience increased serum PFAS, there was an unexpected inverse association in some population subgroups. Further research will be needed to better understand whether this pattern reflects true differences, chance, or bias.

Socioenvironmental adversity and risk of prostate cancer in non-Hispanic black and white men.

Non-Hispanic black (NHB) men experience higher risk of prostate cancer than other racial/ethnic groups, and it is possible that socioenvironmental (SE) adversity and resulting stress may contribute to this disparity. Data from the Southern Community Cohort Study were used to evaluate associations between SE adversity and perceived stress in relation to prostate cancer risk, overall and by race/ethnicity and grade. Between 2002 and 2009, 26,741 men completed a questionnaire, from which an 8-item SE adversity composite was created (covering socioeconomic status, residential environment, and social support/buffers). Two items from the Perceived Stress Scale were assessed. With follow-up through 2011, 527 prostate cancer cases were diagnosed. In multivariable models, each one-unit increase in the SE adversity composite was associated with increased prostate cancer risk among non-Hispanic white (NHW) men (HR 1.23; 95% CI 1.02-1.48) and reduced risk among NHB men (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.82-0.95) (p interaction: 0.001). This pattern held for low grade, but not high grade, cancers although power was limited for the latter. Perceived stress variables were associated with increased risk of prostate cancer among NHW men, but not among NHB men. Results do not support the hypothesis that SE adversity my underlay the racial disparity in prostate cancer, over and above that of covariates, including healthcare utilization.

Use of dietary supplements in relation to urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: Research suggests that dietary supplements may be a source of exposure to phthalates, given that diethyl phthalate (DEP) or di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) can be components of coatings that facilitate extended release or encapsulate dietary supplements. METHODS: Using nationally representative data on a population of 12,281 adults ages 20 y + surveyed between 1999 and 2014 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we evaluated the association between dietary supplement use in relation to urinary phthalate metabolites of DEP (monoethyl phthalate, MEP) and DBP (mono-n-butyl phthalate, MBP). We examined associations pertaining to regular use of multivitamin/multimineral (MVMM) supplements, as well as regular use of any other non-MVMM supplement products, the number of non-MVMM supplement products used, as well as individual supplements potentially containing phthalates (exclusive of MVMM). For each urinary phthalate metabolite, results are presented as the minimally-adjusted and multivariable-adjusted ratio, comparing the geometric mean among users to non-users. RESULTS: In multivariable models, we observed a significant positive association between regular use of MVMM use and MEP, with persons using MVMM supplements having 11% higher geometric mean MEP than non-users (Ratio: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.04-1.20); no association was observed for MVMM in relation to MBP. No other significant multivariable-adjusted associations were observed, although power was limited in analyses of individual supplements. Associations did not markedly vary by gender; however, the associations of garlic supplement use with MEP and MBP varied by calendar time, with statistically significant positive associations observed in later years. CONCLUSIONS: A modest significant association was observed between MVMM use and MEP. No other significant associations were observed in our overall multivariable models. Follow-up on the positive association observed between garlic and urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations observed in later years in a well-powered, prospective study would further clarify study findings.

Trends in Sedentary Behavior Among the US Population, 2001-2016.

Importance: Prolonged sitting, particularly watching television or videos, has been associated with increased risk of multiple diseases and mortality. However, changes in sedentary behaviors over time have not been well described in the United States. Objective: To evaluate patterns and temporal trends in sedentary behaviors and sociodemographic and lifestyle correlates in the US population. Design, Setting, and Participants: A serial, cross-sectional analysis of the US nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) among children aged 5 through 11 years (2001-2016); adolescents, 12 through 19 years (2003-2016); and adults, 20 years or older (2003-2016). Exposures: Survey cycle. Main Outcomes and Measures: Prevalence of sitting watching television or videos for 2 h/d or more, computer use outside work or school for 1 h/d or more, and total sitting time (h/d in those aged ≥12 years). Results: Data on 51 896 individuals (mean, 37.2 years [SE, 0.19]; 25 968 [50%] female) were analyzed from 2001-2016 NHANES data, including 10 359 children, 9639 adolescents, and 31 898 adults. The estimated prevalence of sitting watching television or videos for 2 h/d or more was high among all ages (children, 62% [95% CI, 57% to 67%]; adolescents, 59% [95% CI, 54% to 65%]; adults, 65% [95% CI, 61% to 69%]; adults aged 20-64 years, 62% [95% CI, 58% to 66%]; and ≥65 years, 84% [95% CI, 81% to 88%] in the 2015-2016 cycle). From 2001 through 2016, the trends decreased among children over time (difference, -3.4% [95% CI, -11% to 4.5%]; P for trend =.004), driven by non-Hispanic white children; were stable among adolescents (-4.8% [95% CI, -12% to 2.3%]; P for trend =.60) and among adults aged 20 through 64 years (-0.7% [95% CI, -5.6% to 4.1%]; P for trend =.82); but increased among adults aged 65 years or older (difference, 3.5% [95% CI, -1.2% to 8.1%]; P for trend =.03). The estimated prevalence of computer use outside school or work for 1 h/d or more increased in all ages (children, 43% [95% CI, 40% to 46%] to 56% [95% CI, 49% to 63%] from 2001 to 2016; difference, 13% [95% CI, 5.6% to 21%]; P for trend <.001; adolescents, 53% [95% CI, 47% to 58%] to 57% [95% CI, 53% to 62%] from 2003 to 2016, difference, 4.8% [95% CI, -1.8% to 11%]; P for trend =.002; adults, 29% [27% to 32%] to 50% [48% to 53%] from 2003 to 2016, difference, 21% [95% CI, 18% to 25%]; P for trend <.001). From 2007 to 2016, total hours per day of sitting time increased among adolescents (7.0 [95% CI, 6.7 to 7.4] to 8.2 [95% CI, 7.9 to 8.4], difference, 1.1 [95% CI, 0.7 to 1.5]) and adults (5.5 [95% CI, 5.2 to 5.7] to 6.4 [95% CI, 6.2 to 6.6]; difference, 1.0 [95% CI, 0.7 to 1.3]; P for trend <.001 for both). Conclusions and Relevance: In this nationally representative survey of the US population from 2001 through 2016, the estimated prevalence of sitting watching television or videos for at least 2 hours per day generally remained high and stable. The estimated prevalence of computer use during leisure-time increased among all age groups, and the estimated total sitting time increased among adolescents and adults.

Glucosamine use and risk of colorectal cancer: results from the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort.

PURPOSE: Use of glucosamine supplements has been associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in previous studies; however, information on this association remains limited. METHODS: We examined the association between glucosamine use and CRC risk among 113,067 men and women in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort. Glucosamine use was first reported in 2001 and updated every 2 years thereafter. Participants were followed from 2001 through June of 2011, during which time 1440 cases of CRC occurred. RESULTS: As has been observed in prior studies, current use of glucosamine, modeled using a time-varying exposure, was associated with lower risk of CRC (HR 0.83; 95% CI 0.71-0.97) compared to never use. However, for reasons that are unclear, this reduction in risk was observed for shorter-duration use (HR 0.68; 95% CI 0.52-0.87 for current users with ≤ 2 years use) rather than longer-duration use (HR 0.90; 95% CI 0.72-1.13 for current users with 3 to < 6 years of use; HR 0.99; 95% CI 0.76-1.29 for current users with ≥ 6 years of use). CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to better understand the association between glucosamine use and risk of CRC, and how this association may vary by duration of use.

Adolescent body mass index and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in relation to colorectal cancer risk.

OBJECTIVE: Adult obesity and inflammation have been associated with risk of colorectal cancer (CRC); however, less is known about how adolescent body mass index (BMI) and inflammation, as measured by erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), relate to CRC risk. We sought to evaluate these associations in a cohort of 239 658 Swedish men who underwent compulsory military enlistment examinations in late adolescence (ages 16-20 years). DESIGN: At the time of the conscription assessment (1969-1976), height and weight were measured and ESR was assayed. By linkage to the national cancer registry, these conscripts were followed for CRC through 1 January 2010. Over an average of 35 years of follow-up, 885 cases of CRC occurred, including 501 colon cancers and 384 rectal cancers. Cox regression was used to estimate adjusted HRs and corresponding 95% CIs. RESULTS: Compared with normal weight (BMI 18.5 to <25 kg/m(2)) in late adolescence, upper overweight (BMI 27.5 to <30 kg/m(2)) was associated with a 2.08-fold higher risk of CRC (95% CI 1.40 to 3.07) and obesity (BMI 30+ kg/m(2)) was associated with a 2.38-fold higher risk of CRC (95% CI 1.51 to 3.76) (p-trend: <0.001). Male adolescents with ESR (15+ mm/h) had a 63% higher risk of CRC (HR 1.63; 95% CI 1.08 to 2.45) than those with low ESR (<10 mm/h) (p-trend: 0.006). Associations did not significantly differ by anatomic site. CONCLUSIONS: Late-adolescent BMI and inflammation, as measured by ESR, may be independently associated with future CRC risk. Further research is needed to better understand how early-life exposures relate to CRC.

Use of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements in relation to risk of colorectal cancer: Results from the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals follow-up study.

Recent epidemiologic evidence has emerged to suggest that use of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements may be associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). We therefore evaluated the association between use of these non-vitamin, non-mineral supplements and risk of CRC in two prospective cohorts, the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Regular use of glucosamine and chondroitin was first assessed in 2002 and participants were followed until 2010, over which time 672 CRC cases occurred. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate relative risks (RRs) within each cohort, and results were pooled using a random effects meta-analysis. Associations were comparable across cohorts, with a RR of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.63-1.00) observed for any use of glucosamine and a RR of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.59-1.01) observed for any use of chondroitin. Use of glucosamine in the absence of chondroitin was not associated with risk of CRC, whereas use of glucosamine + chondroitin was significantly associated with risk (RR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.58-0.999). The association between use of glucosamine + chondroitin and risk of CRC did not change markedly when accounting for change in exposure status over follow-up (RR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.58-0.96), nor did the association significantly vary by sex, aspirin use, body mass index, or physical activity. The association was comparable for cancers of the colon and rectum. Results support a protective association between use of glucosamine and chondroitin and risk of CRC. Further study is needed to better understand the chemopreventive potential of these supplements.

Trends in Dietary Supplement Use Among US Adults From 1999-2012.

Importance: Dietary supplements are commonly used by US adults; yet, little is known about recent trends in supplement use. Objective: To report trends in dietary supplement use among US adults. Design, Setting, and Participants: Serial cross-sectional study using nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 1999 and 2012. Participants include noninstitutionalized adults residing in the United States, surveyed over 7 continuous 2-year cycles (sample size per cycle, 4863 to 6213). Exposures: Calendar time, as represented by NHANES cycle. Main Outcomes and Measures: In an in-home interview, participants were queried on use of supplements in the preceding 30 days to estimate the prevalence of use within each NHANES cycle, and trends were evaluated across cycles. Outcomes included use of any supplements; use of multivitamins/multiminerals (MVMM; defined as a product containing ≥10 vitamins and/or minerals); and use of individual vitamins, minerals, and nonvitamin, nonmineral supplements. Data were analyzed overall and by population subgroup (including age, sex, race/ethnicity, and educational status), and were weighted to be nationally representative. Results: A total of 37 958 adults were included in the study (weighted mean age, 46.4 years; women, 52.0% ), with an overall response rate of 74%. Overall, the use of supplements remained stable between 1999 and 2012, with 52% of US adults reporting use of any supplements in 2011-2012 (P for trend = .19). This trend varied by population subgroup. Use of MVMM decreased, with 37% reporting use of MVMM in 1999-2000 and 31% reporting use in 2011-2012 (difference, -5.7% [95% CI, -8.6% to -2.7%], P for trend < .001). Vitamin D supplementation from sources other than MVMM increased from 5.1% to 19% (difference, 14% [95% CI, 12% to 17%], P for trend < .001) and use of fish oil supplements increased from 1.3% to 12% (difference, 11% [95% CI, 9.1% to 12%], P for trend < .001) over the study period, whereas use of a number of other supplements decreased. Conclusions and Relevance: Among adults in the United States, overall use of dietary supplements remained stable from 1999-2012, use of MVMM decreased, and trends in use of individual supplements varied and were heterogeneous by population subgroups.

Body mass index in young adulthood, obesity trajectory, and premature mortality.

Although much research has been conducted on the role adult body mass index (BMI) plays in mortality, there have been fewer studies that evaluated the associations of BMI in young adulthood and adult weight trajectory with mortality, and it remains uncertain whether associations differ by race or sex. We prospectively examined the relationships of BMI in young adulthood (21 years of age) and adult obesity trajectory with later-life mortality rates among 75,881 men and women in the Southern Community Cohort Study. Study participants were enrolled between 2002 and 2009 at ages 40-79 years and were followed through December, 2011. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals. There were 7,301 deaths in the 474,970 person-years of follow-up. Participants who reported being overweight or obese as young adults had mortality rates that were 19% (95% confidence interval: 12, 27) and 64% (95% confidence interval: 52, 78) higher, respectively, than those of their normal weight counterparts. The results did not significantly differ by race or sex. Participants who reported being obese in young adulthood only or in both young and middle adulthood experienced mortality rates that were 40%-90% higher than those of participants who were nonobese at either time. These results suggest that obesity in young adulthood is associated with higher mortality risk regardless of race, sex, and obesity status in later life.

Statin use and risk of prostate cancer: Results from the Southern Community Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies suggest that statin use may be inversely associated with risk of prostate cancer, but prior studies have focused predominantly on non-Hispanic white populations. METHODS: We evaluated the association between statin use and prostate cancer risk in the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS). Study participants were 32,091 men aged 40-79 at baseline, 67% of whom were non-Hispanic black. Between study enrollment (2002-2009) and December 31, 2010, 570 prostate cancer cases were diagnosed, including 324 low-grade cancers (Gleason score <7 or Gleason pattern 3 + 4) and 107 high-grade cancers (Gleason score >7 or Gleason pattern 4 + 3). Analyses of overall prostate cancer were conducted using Cox regression and analyses of grade-specific cancer were conducted using competing risks models. RESULTS: Ten percent of non-Hispanic black men and 22% of non-Hispanic white men reported use of statins at study enrollment. As compared to non-use, statin use was associated with a non-significant 14% lower risk of prostate cancer in multivariable models (Hazard Ratio [HR]:0.86; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.63-1.18). This association was stronger for high-grade cancer (HR: 0.62; 95%CI: 0.30, 1.28) than low-grade cancer (HR:0.98; 95%CI: 0.65-1.48). Results were similar by race/ethnicity (p-interaction: 0.41) and did not vary by history of prostate-specific antigen [PSA] screening (p-interaction: 0.65). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest no strong association between statin use and prostate cancer risk overall, and further suggest that if a modest protective effect does exist, it does not vary by race/ethnicity and may be restricted to high-grade tumors, although power to detect differences by subgroup was limited.

Trends in Prescription Drug Use Among Adults in the United States From 1999-2012.

IMPORTANCE: It is important to document patterns of prescription drug use to inform both clinical practice and research. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate trends in prescription drug use among adults living in the United States. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Temporal trends in prescription drug use were evaluated using nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Participants included 37,959 noninstitutionalized US adults, aged 20 years and older. Seven NHANES cycles were included (1999-2000 to 2011-2012), and the sample size per cycle ranged from 4861 to 6212. EXPOSURES: Calendar year, as represented by continuous NHANES cycle. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Within each NHANES cycle, use of prescription drugs in the prior 30 days was assessed overall and by drug class. Temporal trends across cycles were evaluated. Analyses were weighted to represent the US adult population. RESULTS: Results indicate an increase in overall use of prescription drugs among US adults between 1999-2000 and 2011-2012 with an estimated 51% of US adults reporting use of any prescription drugs in 1999-2000 and an estimated 59% reporting use of any prescription drugs in 2011-2012 (difference, 8% [95% CI, 3.8%-12%]; P for trend <.001). The prevalence of polypharmacy (use of ≥5 prescription drugs) increased from an estimated 8.2% in 1999-2000 to 15% in 2011-2012 (difference, 6.6% [95% CI, 4.4%-8.2%]; P for trend <.001). These trends remained statistically significant with age adjustment. Among the 18 drug classes used by more than 2.5% of the population at any point over the study period, the prevalence of use increased in 11 drug classes including antihyperlipidemic agents, antidepressants, prescription proton-pump inhibitors, and muscle relaxants. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this nationally representative survey, significant increases in overall prescription drug use and polypharmacy were observed. These increases persisted after accounting for changes in the age distribution of the population. The prevalence of prescription drug use increased in the majority of, but not all, drug classes.