Presence of human papillomavirus in the buccal mucosa of blood donors.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the oral mucosa of blood donors (BD) and risk factors associated with HPV and oral cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study, population matched to BD from the National Cancer Institute, Mexico for HPV identification in oral cytological samples using the CLART® Human Papillomavirus 2 Kit (35 genotypes) and risk factors. RESULTS: Of 352 BD with signed informed consent, 285 were selected by simple randomization. The prevalence of oral HPV was 17.5% (95% CI 13-21.9%), the genotype was identified in 13 cases, with a total of 16 genotypes (10 high-risk), the most common being 16 and 84. Five cases had multiple infections, three with at least one high-risk type. Associations were found for marital status (OR 3.3) and educational level (OR-1.9). CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of HPV-positive cases in blood donors with no risk practices was similar to that found in Spanish-speaking population studies in which at least one risk practice was described. The presence of other genotypes with high oncogenic risk and multitype infection, described as a marker of persistence of HPV infection, is highlighted.

Saliva is a reliable and accessible source for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of saliva sampling as a non-invasive and safer tool to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to compare its reproducibility and sensitivity with nasopharyngeal swab samples (NPS). The use of sample pools was also investigated. METHODS: A total of 2107 paired samples were collected from asymptomatic healthcare and office workers in Mexico City. Sixty of these samples were also analyzed in two other independent laboratories for concordance analysis. Sample processing and analysis of virus genetic material were performed according to standard protocols described elsewhere. A pooling analysis was performed by analyzing the saliva pool and the individual pool components. RESULTS: The concordance between NPS and saliva results was 95.2% (kappa 0.727, p = 0.0001) and 97.9% without considering inconclusive results (kappa 0.852, p = 0.0001). Saliva had a lower number of inconclusive results than NPS (0.9% vs 1.9%). Furthermore, saliva showed a significantly higher concentration of both total RNA and viral copies than NPS. Comparison of our results with those of the other two laboratories showed 100% and 97% concordance. Saliva samples are stable without the use of any preservative, and a positive SARS-CoV-2 sample can be detected 5, 10, and 15 days after collection when the sample is stored at 4 °C. CONCLUSIONS: The study results indicate that saliva is as effective as NPS for the identification of SARS-CoV-2-infected asymptomatic patients. Sample pooling facilitates the analysis of a larger number of samples, with the benefit of cost reduction.

Propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Evaluación Funcional para el Tratamiento del Cáncer, versión próstata (FACT-P), en pacientes mexicanos.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most frequent neoplasm in Mexican men, the research literature contains few studies that address prostate cancer patients and quality of life in Mexico. OBJECTIVE: To validate the Functional Assessment Cancer therapy (FACT-P) scale. METHOD: 201 males 49 to 90 years of age, at any clinical stage of prostate cancer, under treatment or follow-up participated. It's a non-experimental cross-sectional study. Patients were evaluated through the FACT-P jointly with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Exploratory analysis examined the factorial structure, and confirmatory analysis to evaluate the adjustment of the exploratory model to the data. RESULTS: A four-factor model that explained 64.65% of the variance, Cronbach's alpha 0.79, and correlations were statistically significant, Pearson's r of 0.146-0.716, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05. Analyses also distinguished metastatic patients from non-metastatic ones. The main indices of the confirmatory model were satisfactory for the adjustment of data and showed an estimate error close to zero. CONCLUSIONS: This Mexican version of FACT-P showed reliability and validity comparable to the original one.

ANTECEDENTES: El cáncer de próstata es la neoplasia más frecuente en los varones mexicanos, pero pocos estudios han abordado la calidad de vida en los pacientes con cáncer de próstata en México. OBJETIVO: Validar la Escala de Evaluación Funcional para el Tratamiento del Cáncer, versión próstata (FACT-P). MÉTODO: 201 pacientes de 49 a 90 años en cualquier etapa clínica, en tratamiento o seguimiento. Diseño de estudio: transversal no experimental. Se usaron el FACT-P, el Inventario de la Organización Europea para la Investigación y Tratamiento del cáncer y Calidad de Vida, y la Escala de Ansiedad y Depresión Hospitalaria. Se realizaron análisis factorial exploratorio y análisis factorial confirmatorio para evaluar el ajuste del modelo de los datos, mediante el método de máxima verosimilitud. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvo un modelo de dos factores y dos indicadores que explicaron el 64.65% de la varianza, alfa de Cronbach 0.79, correlaciones estadísticamente significativas, r de Pearson de 0.146-0.716, p < 0.01 y p < 0.05. La escala discrimina los pacientes sin y con metástasis. Los principales índices del modelo confirmatorio sugieren un modelo estable y parsimonioso, con error próximo a cero, que se ajusta aceptablemente a los datos analizados. CONCLUSIONES: La versión mexicana del FACT-P posee una confiabilidad y una validez adecuadas, similares a las de la original.

Cervical Cancer in Young Women: Do They Have a Worse Prognosis? A Retrospective Cohort Analysis in a Population of Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer (CC) is a global problem; it is among the five leading causes of cancer death in women. Several studies have examined the association between age and disease prognosis; however, controversy still exists. The objective of the present study is to determine if age at diagnosis has an impact on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort of 2,982 patients with CC treated at the National Cancer Institute of Mexico from 2005 to 2015. We collected demographic, clinical, and treatment data, as well as current status, of 2 groups: women under and over 40 years of age. We calculated OS and DFS rates with Kaplan-Meier estimates. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to determine risks. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 26.5 months (percentile [P]25 -P75 , 11-60.23). When comparing DFS, OS, stage, and histologic subtype between young patients <40 and adult patients >40, we did not observe any difference. We found that in both groups, locally advanced and advanced stage, neuroendocrine subtype, hydronephrosis, and positive inguinal lymph nodes increased the risks of death and recurrence. Having been pregnant was identified as protective factor in DFS (hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.71). CONCLUSION: We corroborated that age at diagnosis is not a prognostic factor for decreased or increased OS or DFS, and in both groups, the stage, histologic subtype, hydronephrosis, and node involvement were identified as factors adverse to OS and DFS, and pregnancy history was a protective factor in DFS. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The present study directly affects everyday clinical practice because it allows us to focus on the most relevant prognostic factors in patients with cervical cancer. When planning treatment and follow-up, clinicians should focus on stage at diagnosis, histologic subtype, hydronephrosis, and distant metastasis instead of patients' age. They should also be aware of any previous pregnancies and poor response, or nonresponse, to treatment, which results in disease progression and persistence. Paying attention to these factors affecting overall survival and disease-free survival will help treat patients better and increase their chances of survival and improve their quality of life.

Gastric cancer in young people under 30 years of age: worse prognosis, or delay in diagnosis?

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is an aggressive disease with nonspecific early symptoms. Its incidence and prognosis in young patients has shown considerable variability. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Our objective was to retrospectively study patients from our institution aged <30 years with gastric carcinoma. The study was undertaken to describe the experience of gastric cancer in this population, and to demonstrate its specific clinical and pathological characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the cases of histologically confirmed gastric cancer between 1985 and 2006 at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología of Mexico (INCan); emphasis in our review was placed on clinical presentation, diagnostic and therapeutic intervention, pathology, and the results. RESULTS: Thirty cases of gastric carcinoma were reviewed. The patients' median age was 27 years (range, 18-30 years) and the male:female ratio was 1:1. CONCLUSION: Gastric cancer exhibits different behavior in patients aged, 30 years, but delay in diagnosis and the tumor's behavior appear to be the most important factors in prognosis of the disease.