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BACKGROUND: Childhood cancer survivors treated with platinum-based chemotherapy are at risk of treatment-induced hearing loss. Accurate evaluation of hearing thresholds has historically been limited to clinical audiometry, which is logistically challenging and expensive to include in epidemiological studies. We evaluated the feasibility of using a remote, tablet-based hearing assessment in a cohort of pediatric germ cell tumor (GCT) survivors treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. METHODS: Survivors from the GCT Outcomes and Late effects Data (GOLD) study were recruited to the pilot study (n=100). Study personnel conducted remote hearing assessments of standard and extended high frequency thresholds using validated tablet-based audiometry (SHOEBOX Inc). T-tests and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests evaluated differences in assessment characteristics between children and adults. Agreement between self-reported and measured hearing loss was calculated using Cohen's kappa. RESULTS: We were able to reach 136/168 (81%) eligible participants, of which 100 (74%) agreed to participate. Successful completion of the remote hearing assessment was high (97%; 20 children [ages 7-17], 77 adults [ages 18-31]). Mean assessment length was 37.6 minutes and mean turnaround time was 8.3 days. We observed hearing loss at standard frequencies in 21% of participants. Agreement between self-reported and measured hearing loss was significant (p-value = 1.41 x 10-7), with 83.5% concordance. CONCLUSIONS: Hearing loss measured using the remote assessment aligns with self-reporting and rates of hearing loss reported in the literature for this population. IMPACT: Remote application of tablet-based audiometry is a feasible and efficacious method for measuring hearing in epidemiologic studies with participants spread across large geographical areas.
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BACKGROUND: Air pollution is positively associated with some childhood cancers, whereas greenness is inversely associated with some adult cancers. The interplay between air pollution and greenness in childhood cancer etiology is unclear. We estimated the association between early-life air pollution and greenness exposure and childhood cancer in Texas (1995 to 2011). METHODS: We included 6101 cancer cases and 109â762 controls (aged 0 to 16 years). We linked residential birth address to census tract annual average fine particulate matter <2.5 µg/m³ (PM2.5) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between PM2.5/NDVI interquartile range increases and cancer. We assessed statistical interaction between PM2.5 and NDVI (likelihood ratio tests). RESULTS: Increasing residential early-life PM2.5 exposure was associated with all childhood cancers (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.15), lymphoid leukemias (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.07 to 1.23), Hodgkin lymphomas (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.58), non-Hodgkin lymphomas (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.51), ependymoma (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.60), and others. Increasing NDVI exposure was inversely associated with ependymoma (0- to 4-year-old OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.58 to 0.97) and medulloblastoma (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.62 to 0.91) but positively associated with malignant melanoma (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.23 to 2.47) and Langerhans cell histiocytosis (OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.07 to 2.28). There was evidence of statistical interaction between NDVI and PM2.5 (P < .04) for all cancers. CONCLUSION: Increasing early-life exposure to PM2.5 increased the risk of childhood cancers. NDVI decreased the risk of 2 cancers yet increased the risk of others. These findings highlight the complexity between PM2.5 and NDVI in cancer etiology.
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Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales , Neoplasias , Material Particulado , Sistema de Registros , Humanos , Niño , Preescolar , Texas/epidemiología , Neoplasias/epidemiología , Neoplasias/etiología , Lactante , Femenino , Adolescente , Masculino , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Material Particulado/efectos adversos , Material Particulado/análisis , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/efectos adversos , Recién Nacido , Contaminación del Aire/efectos adversos , Oportunidad Relativa , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Several studies have linked increased risk of osteosarcoma with tall stature, high birthweight, and early puberty, although evidence is inconsistent. We used genetic risk scores (GRS) based on established genetic loci for these traits and evaluated associations between genetically inferred birthweight, height, and puberty timing with osteosarcoma. METHODS: Using genotype data from two genome-wide association studies, totaling 1039 cases and 2923 controls of European ancestry, association analyses were conducted using logistic regression for each study and meta-analyzed to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were conducted by case diagnosis age, metastasis status, tumor location, tumor histology, and presence of a known pathogenic variant in a cancer susceptibility gene. RESULTS: Genetically inferred higher birthweight was associated with an increased risk of osteosarcoma (OR =1.59, 95% CI 1.07-2.38, P = 0.02). This association was strongest in cases without metastatic disease (OR =2.46, 95% CI 1.44-4.19, P = 9.5 ×10-04). Although there was no overall association between osteosarcoma and genetically inferred taller stature (OR=1.06, 95% CI 0.96-1.17, P = 0.28), the GRS for taller stature was associated with an increased risk of osteosarcoma in 154 cases with a known pathogenic cancer susceptibility gene variant (OR=1.29, 95% CI 1.03-1.63, P = 0.03). There were no significant associations between the GRS for puberty timing and osteosarcoma. CONCLUSION: A genetic propensity to higher birthweight was associated with increased osteosarcoma risk, suggesting that shared genetic factors or biological pathways that affect birthweight may contribute to osteosarcoma pathogenesis.
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BACKGROUND: Population-based surveillance of pediatric cancer incidence trends is critical to determine high-risk populations, drive hypothesis generation, and uncover etiologic heterogeneity. We provide a comprehensive update to the current understanding of pediatric cancer incidence trends by sex, race and ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (SES). METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 22 data (2000-2019) was used to summarize age-adjusted incidence rates for children and adolescents aged 0-19 years at diagnosis. The annual percentage change (APC) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated to evaluate incidence trends by sex, race and ethnicity, and SES overall and for cancer subtypes. Tests of statistical significance were 2-sided. RESULTS: Substantial variation was observed overall and for several histologic types in race and ethnicity- and SES-specific rates. Overall, we observed a statistically significant increase in incidence rates (APC = 0.8%, 95% CI = 0.6% to 1.1%). All race and ethnic groups saw an increase in incidence rates, with the largest occurring among non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native children and adolescents (APC = 1.7%, 95% CI = 0.5% to 2.8%) and the smallest increase occurring among non-Hispanic White children and adolescents (APC = 0.7%, 95% CI = 0.5% to 1.0%). The lowest SES quintiles saw statistically significant increasing trends, while the highest quintile remained relatively stable (quintile 1 [Q1] APC = 1.6%, 95% CI = 0.6% to 2.6%; quintile 5 [Q5] APC = 0.3%, 95% CI = -0.1% to 0.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Childhood cancer incidence is increasing overall and among every race and ethnic group. Variation by race and ethnicity and SES may enable hypothesis generation on drivers of disparities observed.
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Neoplasias , Adolescente , Humanos , Niño , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Neoplasias/epidemiología , Incidencia , Disparidades Socioeconómicas en Salud , Clase Social , EtnicidadRESUMEN
Importance: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common form of pediatric cancer, and a leading cause of death in children. Understanding the causes of pediatric ALL is necessary to enable early detection and prevention; congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) has recently been identified as a potential moderate-to-strong factor associated with risk for ALL. Objective: To compare the prevalence of cCMV infection between ALL cases and matched controls. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this population-based case-control study of ALL cases and matched controls, cases consisted of children aged 0 to 14 years between 1987 and 2014 with an ALL diagnosis identified through the Michigan Cancer Surveillance Program and born in Michigan on or after October 1, 1987. Cancer-free controls were identified by the Michigan BioTrust for Health and matched on age, sex, and mother's race and ethnicity. Data were analyzed from November to May 2022. Exposures: cCMV infection measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in newborn dried blood spots. Main Outcomes and Measures: ALL diagnosed in children aged 0 to 14 years. Results: A total of 1189 ALL cases and 4756 matched controls were included in the study. Bloodspots were collected from participants at birth, and 3425 (57.6%) participants were male. cCMV was detected in 6 ALL cases (0.5%) and 21 controls (0.4%). There was no difference in the odds of cCMV infection comparing ALL cases with controls (odds ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.52-3.24). Immunophenotype was available for 536 cases (45.1%) and cytogenetic data for 127 (27%). When stratified by subtype characteristics, hyperdiploid ALL (74 cases) was associated with 6.26 times greater odds of cCMV infection compared with unmatched controls (95% CI, 1.44-27.19). Conclusions and Relevance: In this case-control study of cCMV and pediatric ALL, cCMV was associated with increased risk of hyperdiploid ALL. These findings encourage continued research.
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Infecciones por Citomegalovirus , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras , Recién Nacido , Niño , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Infecciones por Citomegalovirus/epidemiología , Infecciones por Citomegalovirus/complicaciones , Prevalencia , Michigan , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
The study examined timing of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) identification in education versus health settings for 8-year-old children with ASD identified through records-based surveillance. The study also examined type of ASD symptoms noted within special education evaluations. Results indicated that children with records from only education sources had a median time to identification of ASD over a year later than children with records from health sources. Black children were more likely than White children to have records from only education sources. Restricted and repetitive behaviors were less frequently documented in educational evaluations resulting in developmental delay eligibility compared to specific ASD eligibility among children with ASD. Future research could explore strategies reduce age of identification in educational settings and increase equitable access to health evaluations.
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Trastorno del Espectro Autista , Trastornos Generalizados del Desarrollo Infantil , Humanos , Niño , Trastorno del Espectro Autista/diagnóstico , Trastorno del Espectro Autista/epidemiología , Vigilancia de la Población/métodos , Prevalencia , Trastornos Generalizados del Desarrollo Infantil/diagnóstico , Educación EspecialRESUMEN
Background and Aims: Intracranial germ cell tumor (iGCT) survivors have multiple risk factors for growth hormone (GH) deficiency, a commonly reported late effect in childhood cancer survivors. The objective of this study is to examine the prevalence of GH deficiency among childhood iGCT survivors. Methods: Participants were previously enrolled in the Germ Cell Tumor Epidemiology Study (GaMETES), a case parent triad study conducted using the Children's Oncology Group registry protocols, including 216 cases with iGCTs. Data on late effects and outcomes are available for 129 iGCT cases who consented for a follow-up study including a self-administered questionnaire and medical record retrieval. GH deficiency was identified via self-report and validated through medical record review. Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests were used to examine cases with GH deficiency predating iGCT detection. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of GH deficiency as a late effect. Results: Of 129 iGCT cases who participated in the late effects study, 45% had GH deficiency; 18% had GH deficiency predating the iGCT and 27% developed GH deficiency within a median of 19 months after diagnosis. Younger age at diagnosis, suprasellar location, and higher radiation doses were associated with GH deficiency as a late effect. Conclusions: GH deficiency is highly prevalent as an early clinical sign for iGCT and frequently arises as an early late effect after treatment. Additional investigation is needed to address earlier detection and treatment for this highly prevalent late effect in iGCT survivors.
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BACKGROUND: Although advanced parental age has been definitively linked to pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia, studies of parental age and pediatric solid tumors have not reached firm conclusions. This analysis aimed to elucidate the relationship between parental age and pediatric solid tumors through meta-analysis of existing studies based in population registries. METHODS: We searched Medline (PubMed) and Embase for registry-based studies of parental age and solid tumors through March 2022. We performed random-effects meta-analysis to estimate pooled effects and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All statistical tests were 2-sided. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies covering 10 childhood solid tumor types (30 323 cases and 3 499 934 controls) were included in this analysis. A 5-year increase in maternal age was associated with an increased risk of combined central nervous system tumors (odds ratio [OR] = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.10), ependymoma (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.09 to 1.31), astrocytoma (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.15), rhabdomyosarcoma (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.25), and germ cell tumors (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.12). A 5-year increase in paternal age was associated with an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.12). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis of registry-based analyses of parental age and childhood cancer supports the association between older maternal age and certain childhood solid cancers. There is also some evidence that paternal age may be associated with certain cancers such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. However, as maternal and paternal age are highly correlated, disentangling potential independent causal effects of either factor will require large studies with extensive data on potential confounders.
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Linfoma no Hodgkin , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Niño , Humanos , Linfoma no Hodgkin/epidemiología , Padres , Edad Paterna , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Central nervous system (CNS) tumors result in tremendous morbidity and mortality. Incidence of CNS tumors in young adults is less studied. It is unknown how young adult CNS tumor incidence has changed globally in recent decades. METHODS: We used Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5) data (1988-2012) to estimate incidence rates (IR), average annual percent change in incidence (AAPC; 95% confidence intervals [95% CI]), and male-to-female incidence rate ratios (IRR; 95% CI) by six histologies and age at diagnosis (20-29years, 30-39years). Tumors were classified as astrocytic, medulloblastoma, ependymal, oligodendroglial, meninges, and other embryonal. Geographic regions were defined using the United Nations Statistics Division geoscheme. RESULTS: There were 78,240 CNS tumor cases included. 20-29-year-old (yo) rates were lower than 30-39 yo in most regions for astrocytic, oligodendroglial and ependymal tumors. Globally, astrocytic tumor incidence decreased (20-29 yo AAPC: - 0.70; 95% CI: - 1.32, - 0.08) while incidence increased for oligodendroglial (20-29 yo AAPC: 3.03; 95% CI: 1.57-4.51; 30-39 yo AAPC: 2.67; 95% CI: 0.79-4.58), ependymal (20-29 yo AAPC: 1.16; 95% CI: 0.31-2.03; 30-39 yo AAPC: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.14-3.46), medulloblastoma (30-39 yo AAPC: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.04-1.24) and tumors of the meninges (20-29 yo AAPC: 1.55; 95% CI: 0.04-3.07). There was a 20-40% male incidence excess in all histologies except for meninge tumors (30-39 yo IRR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.84). CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of oligodendroglial and ependymal tumors increased globally in 20-39 yo suggesting better diagnoses or changes in risk factors. Males had a higher incidence of CNS tumors for most tumors studied and in most regions.
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Neoplasias Encefálicas , Neoplasias del Sistema Nervioso Central , Neoplasias Cerebelosas , Meduloblastoma , Adulto , Neoplasias Encefálicas/epidemiología , Neoplasias del Sistema Nervioso Central/epidemiología , Femenino , Humanos , Incidencia , Masculino , Meduloblastoma/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Brain tumors are among the top four cancers in young adults. We assessed important windows of tumor development and examined the interplay of race/ethnicity, age, and sex in young adult brain tumor incidence. METHODS: Using SEER 18 data (2000-2017), incidence rates were estimated by Poisson regression in individuals aged 20-39 years at diagnosis. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated by race/ethnicity, sex and age for 12 malignant histologies. RESULTS: White incidence for all histologies was higher (White vs. Black IRR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.94, 2.24; White vs Asian Pacific Islander IRR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.75, 2.03; White vs Hispanic IRR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.62, 1.78; White vs American Indian IRR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.73). Minority groups had higher lymphoma incidence (White vs Black IRR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.25, 0.40, White vs Hispanic HR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.68). Males had higher incidence than females for all histologies (IRR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.31, 1.41). Male rates were highest for lymphoma (male-to-female [MF] IRR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.65, 2.42) and glioblastoma (MF IRR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.48, 1.75). The male excess in incidence was similar by race/ethnicity and increased with age (20-24-year-old IRR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.29; 35-39-year-old IRR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.35, 1.54). CONCLUSIONS: A White race and male incidence excess was observed among brain tumors. IMPACT: The male excess was similar by race/ethnicity and increased with age suggesting male sex may be an intrinsic risk factor for brain tumor development.
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Neoplasias Encefálicas , Etnicidad , Adulto , Neoplasias Encefálicas/epidemiología , Femenino , Hispánicos o Latinos , Humanos , Incidencia , Masculino , Caracteres Sexuales , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: There is a well-recognized male excess in childhood cancer incidence; however, it is unclear whether there is etiologic heterogeneity by sex when defined by epidemiologic risk factors. METHODS: Using a 5-state registry-linkage study (cases n = 16,411; controls n = 69,816), we estimated sex-stratified odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) between birth and demographic characteristics for 16 pediatric cancers. Evidence of statistical interaction (p-interaction < 0.01) by sex was evaluated for each characteristic in each cancer. RESULTS: Males comprised > 50% of cases for all cancers, except Wilms tumor (49.6%). Sex interacted with a number of risk factors (all p-interaction < 0.01) including gestational age for ALL (female, 40 vs. 37-39 weeks OR: 0.84, 95% CI 0.73-0.97) and ependymoma (female, 40 vs. 37-39 OR: 1.78, 95% CI 1.14-2.79; female, ≥ 41 OR: 2.01. 95% CI 1.29-3.14), birth order for AML (female, ≥ 3rd vs. 1st OR: 1.39, 95% CI 1.01-1.92), maternal education for Hodgkin lymphoma (male, any college vs. < high school[HS] OR: 1.47, 95% CI 1.03-2.09) and Wilms tumor (female, any college vs. HS OR: 0.74, 95% CI 0.59-0.93), maternal race/ethnicity for neuroblastoma (male, black vs. white OR: 2.21, 95% CI 1.21-4.03; male, Hispanic vs. white OR: 1.86, 95% CI 1.26-2.75; female, Asian/Pacific Islander vs. white OR: 0.28, 95% CI 0.12-0.69), and paternal age (years) for hepatoblastoma in males (< 24 vs. 25-29 OR: 2.17, 95% CI 1.13-4.19; ≥ 35 vs. 25-29 OR: 2.44, 95% CI 1.28-4.64). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest etiologic heterogeneity by sex for childhood cancers for gestational age, maternal education, and race/ethnicity and paternal age.
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Neoplasias Renales , Neuroblastoma , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Incidencia , Masculino , Sistema de Registros , Caracteres SexualesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Incidence rates of pediatric cancers in the United States are typically reported in 5-year age groups, obscuring variation by single year of age. Additionally, racial and ethnic variation in incidence is typically presented in broad categories rather than by narrow age ranges. METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 data (2000-2017) were examined to calculate frequencies and age-adjusted incidence rates among individuals aged birth to 39 years. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated as the measure of association for rate comparisons by race and Hispanic origin overall and by single year of age. RESULTS: Several histologic types showed substantial variation in race/ethnicity-specific and overall rates by single year of age. Overall, Black children and young adults experienced substantially decreased incidence of acute lymphoid leukemia (IRR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.49-0.55) compared to Whites, and this decreased incidence was strongest at ages 1 through 7 years and 16 through 20 years. Hispanic individuals experienced decreased overall incidence of Hodgkin lymphoma (IRR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.48-0.52) and astrocytoma (IRR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.52-0.56) and increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (IRR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.42-1.51) compared to non-Hispanic Whites, and the increased risk was strongest at ages 10 through 23 years. Substantial decreased risk across many tumor types was also observed for Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indian/Alaska Natives. CONCLUSIONS: Examination of incidence rates for pediatric cancers by narrow age groups may provide insights regarding etiological differences in subgroups. Additionally, variation in age-specific incidence rates by race and ethnicity may enable hypothesis generation on drivers of disparities observed.
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Etnicidad , Neoplasias , Anciano , Niño , Humanos , Incidencia , Lactante , Neoplasias/epidemiología , Programa de VERF , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Población Blanca , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Global variation in lymphoma incidence by type and age at diagnosis, region, sex, and Human Development Index (HDI) categories has not been reported, may shed light on potential biologic mechanisms and identify areas for targeted interventions. METHODS: Using the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents data from 1988 to 2012, we identified Hodgkin (HL), non-Hodgkin (NHL), and Burkitt lymphoma (BL) diagnosed in children aged 0-19 years. We estimated incidence rates (IRs; cases/million) and average annual percent change in incidence (AAPC; 95 % CI) by geographic region, sex, and HDI for each age group (0-9years and 10-19 years). RESULTS: There were 42,440 NHL, 38,683 H L, and 7703 included. Southern European (SE) 10-19-year-olds (yo) had the highest IR of NHL (19.6 cases/million) in 2008-2012. HL IRs for 0-9yo were <6 cases/million and >25 cases/million for 10-19yo in European regions and Oceania (OC). BL IRs were generally <5cases/million. Northern Europe (NE), SE, and OC 10-19yo had significantly increased APPCs in incidence for all lymphomas with the largest increases in BL (NE AAPC: 7.69 %; 95 % CI: 5.27, 10.16; SE AAPC: 5.21 %; 95 % CI: 3.26, 7.19; OC AAPC: 3.97 %; 95 % CI: 3.26, 4.70). BL incidence increased among males of all ages by approximately 2 %. NHL and BL incidence increased significantly among 10-19yo in very high HDI countries by approximately 3 %. CONCLUSIONS: Southern and Northern Europe and Oceania displayed increased incidence of all lymphomas studied from 1988 to 2012. BL incidence significantly increased in 8 of 15 global regions, males, and higher HDI countries over the study period. Mechanisms underlying these increases remain to be elucidated.
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Salud Global , Linfoma , Adolescente , Distribución por Edad , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Salud Global/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , Incidencia , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Linfoma/epidemiología , Masculino , Distribución por Sexo , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency used local air pollution and public health data to estimate the impacts of particulate matter and ozone on population health, to identify disparities, and to inform decisions that will improve health. SETTING: While air quality in Minnesota currently meets federal standards, urban communities are concerned about the impact of air pollution on their health. The Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St Paul) metropolitan area includes 7 counties where fine particulate levels and rates of asthma exacerbations are elevated in some communities. DESIGN: We used the Environmental Protection Agency's BenMAP (Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program) software, along with local PM2.5 (fine particulate) and ozone ambient concentrations, census and population health data, to calculate impacts for 2008 at the zip code level. The impacts were summed across all zip codes for area-wide estimates. American Community Survey data were used to stratify zip codes by poverty and race for assessment of disparities. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Attributable fraction, attributable rate and counts for all-cause mortality, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease hospitalizations, asthma emergency department (ED) visits, and cardiovascular disease hospitalizations. RESULTS: In the Twin Cities (2008), air pollution was a contributing cause for an estimated 2% to 5% of respiratory and cardiovascular hospitalizations and ED visits and between 6% and 13% of premature deaths. The elderly (aged 65+ years) experienced the highest air pollution-attributable rates of death and respiratory hospitalizations; children experienced the highest asthma ED visit rates. Geographical and demographic differences in air pollution-attributable health impacts across the region reflected the differences in the underlying morbidity and mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS: Method was effective in demonstrating that changes in air quality can have quantifiable health impacts across the Twin Cities. Key messages and implications from this work were shared with the media, community groups, legislators and the public. The results are being used to inform initiatives aimed at reducing sources of air pollution and to address health disparities in urban communities.
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BACKGROUND: Data are limited on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated influenza burden in sub-Saharan Africa and the impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We compared influenza-related mortality in adults with AIDS in South Africa and the United States in the pre-HAART era and evaluated mortality trends after HAART introduction in the United States. METHODS: Monthly all-cause and pneumonia and influenza (P&I) mortality rates were compiled for adults with AIDS aged 25-54 years in South Africa (1998-2005) and the United States (pre-HAART era, 1987-1994; HAART era, 1997-2005). We estimated influenza-related deaths as excess mortality above a model baseline during influenza epidemic periods. Influenza-related mortality rates in adults with AIDS were compared with rates for age peers in the general population and adults ≥65 years old. RESULTS: In the United States before HAART, influenza-related mortality rates in adults with AIDS were 150 (95% confidence interval [CI], 49-460) and 208 (95% CI, 74-583) times greater than in the general population for all-cause and P&I deaths, respectively, and 2.5 (95% CI, 0.9-7.2) and 4.1 (95% CI, 1.4-13) times higher than in elderly adults. After HAART introduction , influenza-related mortality in adults with AIDS dropped 3-6-fold but remained elevated compared with the general population (all-cause relative risk [RR], 44 [95% CI, 16-121]); P&I RR, 73 [95% CI, 47-113]). Influenza-related mortality in South African adults with AIDS in recent years was similar to that in the United States in the pre-HAART era. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with AIDS experience substantially elevated influenza-associated mortality, which declines with widespread HAART introduction but does not disappear. These data support increased access to HAART and influenza vaccination for HIV-infected adults.