The relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and haemoglobin A1c and the moderating role of glycaemic status in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).

This study investigated the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) among Hispanics/Latinos in the United States and assessed whether this relationship was moderated by glycaemic status. This was a cross-sectional analysis of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos cohort. The sample consisted of 13,394 participants with valid measures of obstructive sleep apnea, HbA1c, and study covariates. Obstructive sleep apnea was assessed with the apnea-hypopnea index and categorised as obstructive sleep apnea if the apnea-hypopnea index was ≥5 events/h. HbA1c measures were obtained through fasting blood samples. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h post-load plasma glucose (2h-PG) and use of antihyperglycaemic medications were used to define glycaemic status (i.e., normoglycaemia [FPG < 5.6 mmol/L (< 100 mg/dL) and 2h-PG < 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL)], prediabetes [FPG 5.6-6.9 mmol/L (100-125 mg/dL), and/or 2h-PG 7.8-11.0 mmol/L (140-199 mg/dL)], diabetes without treatment [FPG > 7.0 mmol/L (≥ 126 mg/dL) and/or 2h-PG ≥ 11.1 mmol/L (≥ 200 mg/dL)], and diabetes with treatment. Multivariable linear regression was used to calculate adjusted least square means. Overall, 25.9% of the sample had obstructive sleep apnea and 49.2% had normal glycaemic levels, 36.1% had prediabetes, 6.5% diabetes without receiving treatment, and 8.3% diabetes and undergoing treatment for it. Participants with obstructive sleep apnea had significantly higher adjusted mean HbA1c (adjusted mean [standard error] 5.85 [0.03)]) than those without (5.70 [0.02)]; p < 0.001). Models stratified by diabetes status showed that the association between obstructive sleep apnea (versus not) and higher HbA1c was only for participants with normal glycaemic status (adjusted mean [standard error] 5.27 [0.01] versus 5.30 [0.01]; p = 0.013) and prediabetes (5.59 [0.01] versus 5.66 [0.01]; p < 0.001). In conclusion, obstructive sleep apnea was associated with higher HbA1c in a diverse sample of Hispanic/Latino adults in the United States. This association was present only for participants with normal glycaemic status or with prediabetes. Studies are needed to further understand the clinical implications of the association between obstructive sleep apnea and HbA1c according to glycaemic status.

Sex-Specific Associations of Iron-Anemia Status With Hemoglobin A1C Levels Among Hispanics/Latinos Without Self-Reported Diabetes Mellitus: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the sex-specific associations of mutually exclusive iron-anemia status categories with hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels among U.S. Hispanics/Latinos without self-reported diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Baseline cross-sectional data (7247 women and 4904 men without self-reported diabetes mellitus) from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos were analyzed. Per the American Diabetes Association's defined criteria, based on HbA1C levels, the participants were categorized as having normoglycemia, prediabetes, or probable diabetes mellitus. The iron-anemia status categories were as follows: no anemia and no iron deficiency (reference), iron deficiency, iron deficiency anemia (IDA), and non-iron deficiency anemia (non-IDA). Survey multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the sex-specific associations of iron-anemia status with HbA1C levels after adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors. RESULTS: The age-standardized prevalence of iron-anemia status categories differed by sex. Compared with those with no anemia and no iron deficiency and normoglycemia, women with IDA had higher odds of having prediabetes (odds ratio [OR], 2.18; 95% CI, 1.64-2.89) and probable diabetes mellitus (OR, 3.59; 95% CI, 1.62-7.99) based on HbA1C levels; men with non-IDA had higher odds of having probable diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.13-7.78) based on HbA1C levels. All other associations did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Among U.S. Hispanics/Latinos without self-reported diabetes mellitus, the age-standardized prevalence of iron deficiency, IDA, and non-IDA is high and varies by sex. Women with IDA had higher odds of having prediabetes and probable diabetes mellitus, defined based on HbA1C levels. Men with non-IDA had higher odds of having probable diabetes mellitus, defined based on HbA1C levels. Iron-anemia status should be considered while interpreting elevated HbA1C levels among U.S. Hispanics/Latinos without self-reported diabetes mellitus.

Risk of Anal Cancer in Women With a Human Papillomavirus-Related Gynecological Neoplasm: Puerto Rico 1987-2013.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to estimate the magnitude of the association between HPV-related gynecological neoplasms and secondary anal cancer among women in Puerto Rico (PR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 9,489 women who had been diagnosed with a primary cervical, vaginal, or vulvar tumor during 1987-2013. To describe the trends of invasive cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancer, the age-adjusted incidence rates were estimated using the direct method (2000 US as Standard Population). Standardized incidence ratios (observed/expected) were computed using the indirect method; expected cases were calculated using 2 methods based on age-specific rates of anal cancer in PR. The ratio of standardized incidence ratios of anal cancer was estimated using the Poisson regression model to estimate the magnitude of the association between HPV-gynecologic neoplasms and secondary anal cancer. RESULTS: A significant increase in the incidence trend for anal cancer was observed from 1987 to 2013 (annual percent change = 1.1, p < .05), whereas from 2004 to 2013, an increase was observed for cervical cancer incidence (annual percent change = 3.3, p < .05). The risk of secondary anal cancer among women with HPV-related gynecological cancers was approximately 3 times this risk among women with non-HPV-related gynecological cancers (relative risk = 3.27, 95% CI = 1.37 to 7.79). CONCLUSIONS: Anal cancer is increasing among women in PR. Women with gynecological HPV-related tumors are at higher risk of secondary anal cancer as compared with women from the general population and with those with non-HPV-related gynecological cancers. Appropriate anal cancer screening guidelines for high-risk populations are needed, including women with HPV-related gynecological malignancies and potentially other cancer survivors.

Seroprevalence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Type 6, 11, 16, 18, by Anatomic Site of HPV Infection, in Women Aged 16-64 Years living in the Metropolitan Area of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVE: It is unknown if human papillomavirus (HPV) serum antibody responses vary by anatomic site of infection. We aimed to assess the seroprevalence for HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 in association with HPV DNA detection in different anatomic sites among women. METHODS: This cross sectional population-based study analyzed data from 524 women aged 16-64 years living in the San Juan metropolitan area of Puerto Rico (PR). Questionnaires were used to assess demographic and lifestyle variables, while anogenital and blood samples were collected for HPV analysis. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the adjusted prevalence odds ratio (POR) in order to determine the association between HPV DNA infection status in the cervix and anus and serum antibody status, controlling for different potential confounders. RESULTS: Overall, 46.9% of women had detectable antibodies to one or more types whereas 8.7% had HPV DNA for one or more of these types detected in cervix (4.0%) or anus (6.5%). Women with cervical HPV detection tended to be more HPV seropositive than women without cervical detection (adjusted POR (95%CI): 2.41 (0.90, 6.47), p=0.078); however the type-specific association between cervical DNA and serum antibodies was only significant for HPV 18 (adjusted POR (95% CI): 5.9 (1.03, 33.98)). No significant association was detected between anal HPV and seropositivity (p>0.10). CONCLUSION: Differences in the anatomic site of infection could influence seroconversion, however, longitudinal studies will be required for further evaluation. This information will be instrumental in advancing knowledge of immune mechanisms involved in anatomic site response.

Characterization of HbA1c Levels in a Subsample of Hispanic Adults Living in the San Juan Metropolitan Area.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the mean levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in a subsample of non-diabetic Hispanic Puerto Ricans living in the San Juan metropolitan area (SJMA) and to assess the sensitivity and specificity of HbA1c as a diagnostic test for prediabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a secondary data analysis of the parent study, Burden of Diabetes and Hypertension in the Adult Population of the San Juan Metropolitan Area of Puerto Rico. Based on their HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) values, 370 adults (147 males; 223 females) were classified as non-diabetics. An additional analysis of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for this subsample examined the association between FPG and HbA1c. RESULTS: The mean HbA1c among the non-diabetic population was 5.38% (±0.23). Sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiving operating characteristic curve were 56.8%, 74.2%, and 84.3%, respectively, for the diagnosis of prediabetes, using HbA1c as the sole diagnostic test (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that HbA1c levels among the non-diabetic Hispanic population residing in the SJMA were very similar to those of non-Hispanic whites living in the US. Our results are consistent with those of other studies that have shown that the sensitivity of the HbA1c test is too low to be used in the diagnosis of prediabetes.

Detecting prediabetes among Hispanics/Latinos from diverse heritage groups: Does the test matter? Findings from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

The objectives of this analysis were to compare the ability of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), post oral load plasma glucose (2hPG), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) to identify U.S. Hispanic/Latino individuals with prediabetes, and to assess its cardiovascular risk factor correlates. This is a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from 15,507 adults without self-reported diabetes mellitus from six Hispanic/Latino heritage groups, enrolled in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, which takes place in four U.S. communities. The prevalence of prediabetes was determined according to individual or combinations of ADA-defined cut points: FPG=5.6-7.0mmol/L, 2hPG=7.8-11.1mmol/L, and HbA1c=5.7%-6.4% (39-46mmol/mol). The sensitivity of these criteria to detect prediabetes was estimated. The prevalence ratios (PRs) for selected cardiovascular risk factors were compared among alternative categories of prediabetes versus normoglycemia [FPG<5.6mmol/L and 2hPG<7.8mmol/L and HbA1c<5.7% (39mmol/mol)]. Approximately 36% of individuals met any of the ADA prediabetes criteria. Using 2hPG as the gold standard, the sensitivity of FPG was 40.1%, HbA1c was 45.6%, and that of HbA1c+FPG was 62.2%. The number of significant PRs for cardiovascular risk factors was higher among individuals with isolated 2hPG=7.8-11.1mmol/L, FPG=5.6-7.0mmol/L+HbA1c=5.7%-6.4%, or those who met the three prediabetes criteria. Assessing FPG, HbA1c, and cardiovascular risk factors in Hispanics/Latinos at risk might enhance the early prevention of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular complications in this young and growing population, independent of their heritage group.

Variability in DNA Repair Capacity Levels among Molecular Breast Cancer Subtypes: Triple Negative Breast Cancer Shows Lowest Repair.

Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease which many studies have classified in at least four molecular subtypes: Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2-Enriched, and Basal-like (including triple-negative breast cancer, TNBC). These subtypes provide information to stratify patients for better prognostic predictions and treatment selection. Individuals vary in their sensitivities to carcinogens due to differences in their DNA repair capacity (DRC) levels. Although our previous case-control study established low DRC (in terms of NER pathway) as a BC risk factor, we aim to study this effect among the molecular subtypes. Therefore, the objectives of this study include investigating whether DRC varies among molecular subtypes and testing any association regarding DRC. This study comprised 267 recently diagnosed women with BC (cases) and 682 without BC (controls). Our results show a substantial variability in DRC among the molecular subtypes, with TNBC cases (n = 47) having the lowest DRC (p-value < 0.05). Almost 80 percent of BC cases had a DRC below the median (4.3%). Low DRC was strongly associated with the TNBC subtype (OR 7.2; 95% CI 3.3, 15.7). In conclusion, our study provides the first report on the variability among the molecular subtypes and provides a hypothesis based on DRC levels for the poor prognosis of TNBC.

Mortality Disparities among HIV+ Men and Women in Puerto Rico: Data from the HIV/AIDS Surveillance System 2003-2014.

OBJECTIVE: Describe the trend of the indirect standardized death rate of HIV for different modes of HIV transmission from 2003 to 2014 in Puerto Rico. Estimate the magnitude of the association between mode of HIV transmission and mortality at different time periods in Puerto Rico. METHODS: ISDRs by sex and mode of transmission were computed using data from the PR National HIV/AIDS Surveillance System (2003-2014). Poisson models were used to assess the annual percent change of the ISDRs and RRs by sex. RESULTS: Injection drug users (IDUs) showed the highest decrease in ISDR (-10.56, for men; -9.32 for women). Compared to men who have sex with men (MSM), IDU men also had the highest RR, representing an increase of 93% (2009-2011) (RRIDU vs MSM: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.66-2.23). Compared to women who were IDUs, heterosexual (HET) women had less risk of dying (48% for the period of 2006 to 2008). CONCLUSION: Mortality has been decreasing in each mode of transmission for both sexes. In addition, though IDUs present the highest decrease of ISDR, it is still the group whose members have the highest risk of dying, both men and women. To better describe health disparities as related to HIV/AIDS mortality, future analyses should be performed using specific causes of death and the evaluation of other relevant clinical and sociodemographic factors. Such data might increase our understanding of mortality in people with HIV/AIDS on the island, as well as help in future efforts to develop intervention strategies for the aforementioned risk groups.

IDENTIFYING PROBABLE DIABETES MELLITUS AMONG HISPANICS/LATINOS FROM FOUR U.S. CITIES: FINDINGS FROM THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY HEALTH STUDY/STUDY OF LATINOS.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the ability of American Diabetes Association (ADA) diagnostic criteria to identify U.S. Hispanics/Latinos from diverse heritage groups with probable diabetes mellitus and assess cardiovascular risk factor correlates of those criteria. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of data from 15,507 adults from 6 Hispanic/Latino heritage groups, enrolled in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. The prevalence of probable diabetes mellitus was estimated using individual or combinations of ADA-defined cut points. The sensitivity and specificity of these criteria at identifying diabetes mellitus from ADA-defined prediabetes and normoglycemia were evaluated. Prevalence ratios of hypertension, abnormal lipids, and elevated urinary albumin-creatinine ratio for unrecognized diabetes mellitus-versus prediabetes and normoglycemia-were calculated. RESULTS: Among Hispanics/Latinos (mean age, 43 years) with diabetes mellitus, 39.4% met laboratory test criteria for probable diabetes, and the prevalence varied by heritage group. Using the oral glucose tolerance test as the gold standard, the sensitivity of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and hemoglobin A1c-alone or in combination-was low (18, 23, and 33%, respectively) at identifying probable diabetes mellitus. Individuals who met any criterion for probable diabetes mellitus had significantly higher (P<.05) prevalence of most cardiovascular risk factors than those with normoglycemia or prediabetes, and this association was not modified by Hispanic/Latino heritage group. CONCLUSION: FPG and hemoglobin A1c are not sensitive (but are highly specific) at detecting probable diabetes mellitus among Hispanics/Latinos, independent of heritage group. Assessing cardiovascular risk factors at diagnosis might prompt multitarget interventions and reduce health complications in this young population. ABBREVIATIONS: 2hPG = 2-hour post-glucose load plasma glucose ADA = American Diabetes Association BMI = body mass index CV = cardiovascular FPG = fasting plasma glucose HbA1c = hemoglobin A1c HCHS/SOL = Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos HDL-C = high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol NGT = normal glucose tolerance NHANES = National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey OGTT = oral glucose tolerance test TG = triglyceride UACR = urine albumin-creatinine ratio.

Pathway Analysis using Gene-expression Profiles of HPV-positive and HPV-negative Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients in a Hispanic Population: Methodological Procedures.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer in Puerto Rican men is higher than it is in the men of any other ethnic/racial group in the United States of America (US). The information regarding the effect of the human papilloma virus (HPV) in the gene-expression profile among patients with this cancer is limited in Hispanic community. We aim to describe the methodology for future studies to identify the molecular networks for determining overrepresented signaling and metabolic canonical pathways, based on the differential gene-expression profiles of HPV+ and HPV- samples from patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in Puerto Rico. METHODS: We analyzed the RNA expression of 5 tissue samples from subjects diagnosed with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, 2 HPV+ and 3 HPV-, using Affymetrix GeneChips. The relative difference between the average gene expressions of the HPV+ and HPV- samples was assessed, based on the fold change (log2-scale). RESULTS: Our analysis revealed 10 up regulated molecules (Mup1, LRP1, P14KA, ALYREF, and BHMT) and 5 down regulated ones (PSME4, KEAP1, ELK3, FAM186B, and PRELID1), at a cutoff of 1.5-fold change. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis showed the following biological functions to be affected in the HPV+ samples: cancer, hematological disease, and RNA post-transcriptional modification. QRT-PCR analysis confirmed only the differential regulation of ALYREF, KEAP1, and FAM186B genes. CONCLUSION: The relevant methodological procedures described are sufficient to detect the most significant biological functions and pathways according to the HPV status in patients with oropharyngeal cancer in Puerto Rico.

Methods in HPV Surveillance: Experiences from a Population-Based Study of HPV Infection among Women in the San Juan Metropolitan Area of Puerto Rico.

This article describes the methodology of the first population-based study of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among women aged 16-64 years residing in the San Juan Metropolitan Area of Puerto Rico (PR). The sample was identified through a complex sampling design of households. The sampling frame was selected in four stages, using census tracts maps from the Census Bureau. Women completed a face-to-face interview and a computer-assisted self-interview using the Audio CASI system, for the collection of demographic, clinical, and lifestyle variables, and sampling acceptability. Anal, cervical, and oral specimens were collected through self-collection methods for HPV DNA testing using a modified pool of MY09/MY11 consensus HPV L1 and human ß-globin amplification primers. Anthropometric measurements were taken using the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey methodology. Blood samples were collected to create a bio-repository for future HPV-related studies. Fifty census tract blocks were randomly selected. We recruited 566 women, with a response rate of 83.4%. Response rates did not vary by age-group (p>0.05); although they varied by socioeconomic (SES) census block stratums (p<0.05), response rates were good (>75%) in all SES strata. All participants agreed to respond to the surveys and provide the requested anogenital and oral samples. Overall, more than 98% understood and more than 50% felt comfortable with the cervical, anal, and oral self-collection methods used. This article documents the feasibility of performing population-based studies for HPV surveillance in women in PR.

Human papillomavirus-related cancers among people living with AIDS in Puerto Rico.

The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers and the risk of death (by cancer status) among people living with AIDS (PLWA) in Puerto Rico. We used data from the Puerto Rico AIDS Surveillance Program and Central Cancer Registry (1985-2005). Cancers with highest incidence were cervix (299.6/100,000) for women and oral cavity/oropharynx for men (150.0/100,000); the greatest excess of cancer incidence for men (standardized incidence ratio, 86.8) and women (standardized incidence ratio, 52.8) was for anal cancer. PLWA who developed a cancer had decreased survival and increased risk of death compared with those who did not have cancer. Cancer control strategies for PLWA will be essential for improving their disease survival.

The prevalence of Barrett's-esophagus-associated dysplasia in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVE: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the strongest risk factor of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). A previous study found a lower incidence of EAC in Puerto Rico (PR) as compared to other racial/ethnic groups in the United States (US). Notwithstanding, BE epidemiology in PR is unknown. Study aims: i) to determine BE prevalence among individuals with gastroenterological pathology reports from three major anatomic pathology laboratories in PR and ii) to describe the association between dysplastic BE with age and gender. METHODS: Clinic-based study examined data collected from three anatomic pathology laboratories encompassing the majority of gastroenterology practices in PR. Individuals with histology confirmed BE (January 2007-December 2011) were analyzed (n = 1,232). We estimated BE prevalence and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) to assess magnitude of association between dysplastic BE with age and gender using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Overall BE prevalence was 4.4% (95% CI = 4.1-4.6). Most BE patients were males (male-to-female ratio = 2.3:1) with mean age of 64 ± 13 years. Ninety one percent of BE biopsies showed no dysplasia whereas 6.2% had EAC. BE patients age > 74 years had an increased risk of EAC (AOR: 2.38, 95% CI = 1.14-4.94) compared to those < 55 years old. Males had increased EAC risk (AOR: 2.23, 95% CI = 1.23-4.06) compared to females. CONCLUSION: BE prevalence in PR is similar to that of non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics in US. The lower occurrence of dysplastic BE in PR could explain EAC incidence disparities between PR and other groups in the US.

Guiding questions for appraising epidemiologic literature.

OBJECTIVE: Scientific findings need to be summarized for the better understanding of the community and for the development of the respective preventive actions that they espouse, suggest, or imply. The news media play a critical role in communicating health information to the public. Among chronic diseases, cancer receives a great deal of attention from the media, possibly because of its position as a leading cause of death. While the news media are vital to the dissemination of health information, one of the main information sources comes from epidemiological studies. Thus, it is important that health professionals interpret the results of these studies in order to efficiently communicate the results in a thorough and comprehensible manner. This special article aims to guide health professionals through the process of reading and interpreting the most relevant components of epidemiological literature. METHODS: Guiding questions were prepared based on the main components of the aforementioned literature. RESULTS: An abstract that was chosen from the available literature was used for the responses to the proposed guiding questions. CONCLUSION: We expect that reading the proposed questions will improve the communication and dissemination of epidemiological findings, thereby contributing to the understanding of the health problems of our community. Also, we expect the readers to visit the recommended web sites presented at the end of this document for more complete definitions of the epidemiological terms found herein.

Anemia management among hemodyalisis patients at the University Hospital in Puerto Rico.

End-stage renal disease is frequently complicated with anemia. Iron deficiency anemia occurs in most hemodialysis patients secondary to increased iron demand driven by the accelerated erythropoiesis that occurs when stimulating agents are administered as treatment of the anemia. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of anemia and iron stores in patients undergoing hemodialysis at our unit; identify their treatment and effectiveness. Medical records of fifty-three patients undergoing ambulatory hemodialysis were evaluated for three months. Patient's hemoglobin, ferritin, iron, total iron binding capacity and percent transferrin saturation were recorded. 91% patients had arterial hypertension and 62% were diabetic. The prevalence of anemia was 34%, 57% and 47% during the three-month period respectively. Only 21% of the population had transferrin saturation less than 20% and none had ferritin below 200 ng/ml. Throughout the study, the majority of patients were managed with combination of iron and erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs). The prevalence of anemia remained elevated despite treatment with iron and ESAs. However, 56% of anemic patients throughout the three months showed an increase in hemoglobin levels by the end of the observation period. 53% of patients were treated with iron alone or with ESAs for the three consecutive month periods and only two had transferrin saturation less than 20%. In our population, ESAs low responsiveness is not related to iron deficiency but to the morbidity of their disease.

Human papillomavirus infection in women in Puerto Rico: agreement between physician-collected and self-collected anogenital specimens.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the prevalence and concordance between cervical and anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and compare cervicovaginal and anal self-collection methods for HPV testing between physician and self-collected specimens in women in Puerto Rico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens for HPV-DNA testing were obtained from 100 women aged 18 to 34 years attending a general gynecology clinic for a routine Pap smear. Human papillomavirus testing was performed using polymerase chain reaction MY09/MY11 primers. Positive samples were typed for 39 genotypes. Agreement between sampling methods was determined by percent agreement and the κ statistic. RESULTS: For the 39 genotypes evaluated, 38.4% (38/99) of cervicovaginal and 33.7% (30/89) of anal physician-collected samples were HPV+, whereas 35.1% (34/97) of cervicovaginal and 32.0% (31/97) of anal self-collected samples were positive. Human papillomavirus type 16 was the most common type identified in the cervix (8.3%, 8/97) and the anus (5.6%, 5/89) of physician-collected samples, with similar prevalence in self-collected samples. Concordance between cervical and anal HPV infection was high (>90%) for all types evaluated. There was a strong percent agreement between physician- and self-collected cervicovaginal and anal samples (>95% for all HPV types) and good to excellent agreement (κ > 0.60) for most HPV types. CONCLUSIONS: The clinic-based prevalence of anal and cervicovaginal HPV infection was high, with a strong concordance between cervical and anal infection and good to excellent agreement between physician- and self-collected samples. This study supports the feasibility of using cervical and anal self-sampling methods in future population-based studies of HPV infection in Puerto Rico and as an HPV screening method in women.

Incidence of oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers by anatomical sites in population-based registries in Puerto Rico and the United States of America.

OBJECTIVE: Puerto Rico's (PR) epidemiological data on each oral cavity and pharynx cancer (OCPC) site is yet largely unexplored. Our aim was to compare OCPC incidence in PR, by anatomical site, with that of non-Hispanic whites (NHW), non-Hispanic blacks (NHB), and Hispanic (USH) individuals in the USA. METHODS: Data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results program and the PR Central Cancer Registry were collected and analyzed. Age-standardized rates, percent changes, and standardized rate ratios were estimated with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Although declining incidence rates were observed for most anatomical sites in most racial/ethnic groups and in both sexes, the incidence of oropharynx cancers slightly increased for cancers in the oropharynx among PR women, both in the base of tongue and soft palate/other oropharynx (p>0.05). The incidence of soft palate/other oropharynx cancers in PR men was about 2.8 times higher than in USH men (p<0.05) and about 1.4 times higher than in NHW men but 21% lower than in NHB men (p>0.05). Significant interactions terms formed with racial/ethnic group and age were shown in various sites. The largest differences between sexes were consistently noted in PR. CONCLUSION: Further research in PR should assess the effect of the HPV infection, as well as of other risk factors, in OCPC incidence by anatomical site in younger populations. These data could explain more precisely the reasons for the differences observed in this study, particularly among sexes in PR.

Anal cancer incidence and mortality in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVE: Anal cancer is a rare tumor that is associated with oncogenic HPV genotypes. This study aims to compare the age-standardized rates (ASRs) of anal cancer incidence and mortality in men and women living in Puerto Rico (PR) with those of non-Hispanic whites (NHW), non-Hispanic blacks (NHB), and Hispanics (USH) living in the continental United States (US). METHODS: ASRs were calculated based on cancer data that came from the PR Cancer Central Registry and from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. The age-specific relative risks (RR) and 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) were estimated using Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Comparing the period of 2001 to 2004 to that of 1992 to 1996, the incidence of anal cancer increased among NHW, NHB, and PR men. In females, an increase in the incidence was observed for all racial groups except for Puerto Rican women. When evaluating findings by age groups, Puerto Rican men younger than 60 years old had a 20% higher incidence of anal cancer than did USH men of the same age strata (RR: 2.20; 95% CI = 1.48-3.29). However, Puerto Rican females had a lower incidence of anal cancer than NHW and NHB women. An increased percent change in mortality was observed only in NHW and NHB men. A decreasing trend was observed in all racial/ethnic groups except for NHW women. CONCLUSION: Our results support the notion that there are racial/ethnic differences in anal cancer incidence and mortality, with potential disparities among men and women in PR compared with USH men and women. Given the increasing incidence trends in anal cancer, particularly among PR, NHW, and NHB men, further investigation is needed to better elucidate screening practices that can aid in the prevention of anal cancer.

HLA class I & II alleles in multiple sclerosis patients from Puerto Rico.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complex disease where genetic and environmental factors have been implicated. The onset of symptoms occurs in individuals from twenty to fifty years of age, producing a progressive impairment of motor, sensory and cognitive functions. MS is more frequent in females than in males with a ratio of 4:1. The prevalence of the MS varies among ethnics groups such as Europeans, Africans and Caucasians. The estimated prevalence of MS in Puerto Rico is 42 for each 100,000 habitants, which is more than the prevalence reported for Central America and the Caribbean. In spite of this prevalence, the genetic component of MS has not been explored in order to know the alleles' expression of Puerto Rican MS patients and compare it with the allele expression in other ethnic groups. Thirty-five patients and 31 control subjects were genotyped. The allele frequencies expressed in this sample were similar to those expressed for Puerto Ricans in the National Marrow Donor Program Registry (n = 3,149). The most prevalent alleles for MS patients were HLA-DRB1*01 and *03. HLA-DQB1*04 was the most frequent in the control group and HLA-A*30, in MS patients. These findings are in agreement with published data. HLA-DQB1*04 was a marginal protector in this sample and this role has not been described before. The accuracy of the results is limited due to the sample size. After performing a statistical power analysis it showed that by increasing the sample the values would be significant.

Association between DNA repair capacity and body mass index in women.

OBJECTIVE: Examine whether DNA repair capacity (DRC) levels are associated with body mass index (BMI) in adult women. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: A nested study composed of 539 women without breast cancer (BC) from a case-control BC study in addition to 104 that were recruited later for a total of 643. MEASUREMENTS: DRC levels were measured in lymphocytes using a host-cell reactivation assay with a luciferase reporter gene damaged by UVC. This assay measures the efficiency of nucleotide excision repair (NER). Log-binomial regression model was used. The prevalence ratio (PR) was used to evaluate the magnitude of the association between the BMI and DRC levels. An assessment of interaction terms was performed with the likelihood ratio test. The confounding effect was assessed by comparing the point estimates of the crude and adjusted PR. RESULTS: The 75th percentiles of DRC levels of the women with a BMI between 18 and 25 and > 25 showed statistically significant differences. The prevalence of a DRC ≤ 5 % among women with BMI > 25 is 1.24 (95 % CI: 1.03, 1.48) times the prevalence of having a DRC ≤ 5 % among the women with BMI ≤ 25 after adjustments for different covariates. This excess was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Women with a family history of cancer had an estimated PR of 1.25 (95 % CI, 0.87-1.39; P ≥ 0.05); and women with no family history of cancer, the estimated PR was 1.6 (95 % CI, 1.14-2.22; p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Women with BMI > 25 tend to have lower DRC levels. When having a family history of cancer, the PR of low DRC levels in overweight/obese individuals was not statistically significant. However, the PR of low levels of DRC in overweight/obese individuals with no family history of cancer was statistically significant.