Impact of atrial fibrillation on 1-year outcome in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator or cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator: results from the German DEVICE Registry.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a cardiac arrhythmia frequently documented in patients requiring implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and/or cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D). Patients with diagnosed AF at the point of ICD or CRT-D implantation may have an impaired follow-up outcome. Methods: The German DEVICE I-II registry is a nationwide prospective multicentre database of patients implanted with ICD and CRT-D with clinical follow-up data. We analysed a 1-year follow up of implanted patients with AF and with sinus rhythm (SR). Results: A total of 4,929 ICD/CRT patients are included in the present analysis: 946 (19.2%) were in AF and 3,983 (80.8%) were SR at time of device implantation. AF patients had a significantly more comorbid profile including older age {72 [interquartile range (IQR), 66-77] vs. 66 (IQR, 56-73) years; P<0.001}, and higher rate of patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <30% (68.2% vs. 61.0%; P<0.001), peripheral artery disease (4.5% vs. 2.7%; P=0.002), diabetes (33.6% vs. 25.5%; P<0.001), hypertension (58.4% vs. 51.1%; P<0.001) and renal failure (22.6% vs. 15.3%; P<0.001). The intra-hospital complication rate was 4.3% in the AF and 3.6% in the SR group (P=0.38). In 1-year follow-up AF patients experienced a significantly higher rate of defibrillator shocks (25% vs. 15.3%; P<0.001). One-year estimated mortality was 10.8% in the AF and 5.9% in the SR group (P<0.001), while estimated 1-year major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) rate was 11.2% vs. 7.0% (P<0.001). The effects of AF on electrical shocks and mortality persisted after adjusting for age, sex, advanced New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, severely impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic renal failure (CRF), QRS duration, and type of indication for electronic device implantation. Conclusions: Our clinical data on an extended cohort of contemporary patients confirm the significant impact of AF, and its associated comorbidities, upon mortality and major adverse events after implantation of ICD/CRT.

Oral corticosteroid stewardship: key insights from the Australasian Severe Asthma Registry.

BACKGROUND: People with severe asthma remain at risk of toxicity from maintenance oral corticosteroid (OCS) use and/or frequent OCS burst therapy. Cumulative exposures above 500-1000 mg prednisolone are associated with adverse effects, and recently OCS stewardship principles were promulgated to guide OCS prescription. AIMS: To examine real-world registry data to quantify OCS burden, ascertain trends over time in prescription and assess whether opportunities to implement steroid-sparing strategies were utilised. METHODS: Participants were enrolled in the Australasian Severe Asthma Registry for the period 2013-2021. Assessments were taken at enrolment and then annual follow-up, which included asthma control and OCS use. Descriptive analyses were performed, and subgroups were compared at baseline and over time. RESULTS: Nine hundred and twenty-four participants were evaluated and 215/924 (23%) were taking maintenance OCS at baseline, with 44% and 32% of participants having exposure to ≥500 or 1000 mg of OCS respectively in the prior year. Twelve months later, an additional 10% and 9% of participants reached cumulative doses of 500 or 1000 mg. People exceeding thresholds had ongoing poor asthma control. At baseline, 240/924 (26%) people were treated with asthma biological therapy. An additional 83 (12%) participants were identified as potentially benefiting from this steroid-sparing medication. Of these patients, only 23% commenced a biologic agent in the next 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: A large national asthma registry identifies exposure to toxic cumulative doses of OCS in more than a third of participants, with further subsequent cumulative dose escalation over 2 years. Steroid-sparing strategies were often not employed, highlighting the need for implementation of OCS stewardship initiatives.

An Overview of Real-World Data Infrastructure for Cancer Research.

AIMS: There is increasing interest in the opportunities offered by Real World Data (RWD) to provide evidence where clinical trial data does not exist, but access to appropriate data sources is frequently cited as a barrier to RWD research. This paper discusses current RWD resources and how they can be accessed for cancer research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There has been significant progress on facilitating RWD access in the last few years across a range of scales, from local hospital research databases, through regional care records and national repositories, to the impact of federated learning approaches on internationally collaborative studies. We use a series of case studies, principally from the UK, to illustrate how RWD can be accessed for research and healthcare improvement at each of these scales. RESULTS: For each example we discuss infrastructure and governance requirements with the aim of encouraging further work in this space that will help to fill evidence gaps in oncology. CONCLUSION: There are challenges, but real-world data research across a range of scales is already a reality. Taking advantage of the current generation of data sources requires researchers to carefully define their research question and the scale at which it would be best addressed.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists use and associations with outcomes in heart failure and type 2 diabetes. Data from the Swedish Heart Failure and Swedish National Diabetes Registries.

AIMS: To assess use and associations with outcomes of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) in a real-world population with heart failure (HF) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). METHODS AND RESULTS: The Swedish HF Registry was linked with the National Diabetes Registry and other national registries. Independent predictors of GLP-1 RA use were assessed by multivariable logistic regressions, and associations with outcomes by Cox regressions in a 1:1 propensity score-matched cohort. Of 8188 patients enrolled in 2017-2021, 9% received a GLP-1 RA. Independent predictors of GLP-1 RA use were age<75, worse glycaemic control, impaired renal function, obesity and reduced ejection fraction (EF). GLP-1 RA use was not significantly associated with a composite of HF hospitalization (HHF) or cardiovascular (CV) death regardless of EF, but was associated with lower risk of major adverse CV events (CV death, non-fatal stroke/transient ischemic attack or myocardial infarction), CV and all-cause death. In patients with body mass index≥30 kg/m2, GLP-1 RA use was also associated with lower risk of HHF/CV death and HHF alone. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with HF and T2DM, GLP-1 RA use was independently associated with more severe T2DM, reduced EF and obesity, and was not associated with a higher risk of HHF/CV death but with longer survival and less major CV adverse events. An association with lower HHF/CV death and HHF was observed in obese patients. Our findings provide new insights into GLP-1 RA use and its safety in HF and T2DM.

Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Syndromes Registry: What, How, and Why?

Caring for patients with colorectal cancer inherited cancer syndromes is complex, and it requires a well-thought integration process between a multidisciplinary team, an accessible database, and a registry coordinator. This requires an aligned vision between the administrative business team and the clinical team. Although we can manage most of the cancers that those patients develop according to oncologic guidance, the future risk of patients and their families might add emotional and psychological burdens on them in the absence of a well-qualified and trained team where balancing quality of life and cancer risk are at the essence of decision making.

Extent of Surgery and Survival of Osteosarcoma: A Retrospective Population-Based Study.

Background Osteosarcoma (OSC) is the most common primary bone tumor and is often managed surgically. Few prior investigations have assessed differences in OSC survival by specific surgical techniques at a national registry level. We sought to compare survival based on surgical subtypes for OSC patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Methodology We searched the SEER database for malignant OSCs diagnosed between 2000 and 2019 which were surgically managed. Separate survival comparisons were made for one and five years for wide excision (local tumor destruction or resection versus partial resection) and radical excision (radical resection with limb-sparing versus limb amputation with or without girdle resection). Results A total of 4,303 patients were included, of whom 3,587 were surgically managed. There were no survival differences between local destruction and partial resection (hazard ratio = 0.826, p = 0.303). However, younger age, lower staging, and management without radiation were associated with improved survival. The radical excision comparison showed limb amputation was associated with worse survival than limb-sparing surgery (hazard ratio = 1.531, p < 0.001). Younger age, female sex, lower stage, receipt of chemotherapy, and neoadjuvant plus adjuvant chemotherapy were associated with improved survival while Black and American Indian or Alaska Native were associated with worse survival. Conclusions Our findings show that patients managed with limb-sparing radical resection survived significantly compared to limb amputation. There were no differences in survival for wide excision surgeries. The use of a combination of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy also yields improved survival. OSC survival may be optimized with limb-sparing surgery with a combination of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy.

Time trend analysis of rare cancer incidence 2011-2018: Nationwide population-based cancer registries in Japan.

Rare cancers collectively account for a significant proportion of the overall cancer burden in Japan. We aimed to describe and examine the incidence of each rare cancer and the temporal changes using the internationally agreed rare cancer classification. Cancer cases registered in regional population-based cancer registries from 2011 to 2015 and the National Cancer Registry (NCR) from 2016 to 2018 were classified into 18 families, 68 Tier-1 cancer groupings, and 216 single cancer entities based on the RARECAREnet list. Crude incidence rates and age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) were calculated for Tier-1 and Tier-2 cancers. The annual percent change and the 95% and 99% confidence limits for annual ASR for each of the 68 Tier-1 cancers were estimated using the log-linear regression of the weighted least squares method. The differences in ASRs between 2011 and 2018 were evaluated as an absolute change. A total of 5,640,879 cases were classified into Tier-1 and Tier-2 cancers. The ASRs of 18 out of 52 Tier-1 cancers in the rare cancer families increased, whereas the ASR for epithelial tumors of gallbladder decreased. The ASRs of 6 out of the 16 Tier-1 cancers in the common cancer families increased, whereas those of epithelial tumors of stomach and liver decreased. There was no significant change in the incidence of the other 40 Tier-1 cancers. The incidence of several cancers increased due to the dissemination of diagnostic concepts, improved diagnostic techniques, changes in coding practice, and the initiation of the NCR.

Impact of Shared Decision-Making on Opioid Prescribing Among Patients with Chronic Pain: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Shared decision-making (SDM) involving patient and physician is a desirable goal that is recommended in chronic pain management guidelines. This study measured whether SDM affects opioid prescribing frequency for chronic low back pain. A retrospective cohort study involving 1478 participants was conducted within a national pain research registry. The patient participation and patient orientation (PPPO) scale of the Communication Behavior Questionnaire was used to measure SDM, including classification of greater SDM (PPPO scale score≥80) or lesser SDM (PPPO scale score<80). Opioid prescribing frequency was measured at quarterly intervals from enrollment through 12 months. Baseline and longitudinal covariates were collected to adjust for potential confounding using generalized estimating equations. The mean age of participants was 53.1 (SD, 13.2) years and 1098 (74.3%) were female. A total of 473 (32.0%) participants were prescribed opioids at baseline. Participants completed 5968 encounters wherein multivariable analyses demonstrated that PPPO scale scores were associated with more frequent opioid prescribing (ß=0.013; 95% CI, 0.005 to 0.021; P<0.001). Greater SDM was associated with more frequent opioid prescribing than lesser SDM (ß=0.441; 95% CI, 0.160 to 0.722; P=0.002). Opioids were prescribed in 34.3% vs. 25.2% of encounters with greater vs. lesser SDM (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.17-2.06). SDM remained associated with more frequent opioid prescribing in a series of sensitivity analyses. Although SDM is desirable in chronic pain management, complex issues and challenging patient conversations may arise during serial assessments of the appropriateness of opioid therapy. Physicians need better education and training to address such difficult situations. PERSPECTIVE: The more frequent use of opioid therapy among patients who reported greater shared decision-making with their physicians underscores the need for better medical education and training in dealing with the complex issues and challenges pertaining to serial assessments of the appropriateness of opioid therapy for chronic pain.

One-year anti-VEGF therapy outcomes in diabetic macular edema based on treatment intensity: Data from the FRB! registry.

PURPOSE: To compare one-year outcomes of eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) treated in routine clinical practice based on the proportion of visits where intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor injections were delivered. DESIGN: Cohort study PARTICIPANTS: There were 2288 treatment-naïve eyes with DME starting intravitreal VEGF inhibitor therapy from 31 October 2015 to 31 October 2021 from the Fight Retinal Blindness! international outcomes registry. METHODS: Eyes were grouped according to the proportion of visits at which an injection was received, Group A with less than the median of 67% (n=1172) versus Group B with greater than the median (n=1116). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Mean visual acuity (VA) change after 12 months of treatment. RESULTS: The mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) VA change after 12 months of treatment was 3.6 (2.8, 4.4) letters for eyes in Group A versus 5.2 (4.4, 5.9) letters for eyes in Group B (p=0.005). The mean (95% CI) central subfield thickness (CST) change was -69 (-76, -61) µm and -85 (-92, -78) µm for eyes in Group A versus Group B, respectively (p=0.002). A moderate positive correlation was observed between the number of injections received over 12 months of treatment and the change in VA (p<0.001). Additionally, eyes that received more injections had a moderately greater CST reduction. CONCLUSIONS: This registry analysis found that overall VA and anatomic outcomes tended to be better in DME eyes treated at a greater proportion of visits in the first year of intravitreal VEGF inhibitor therapy.

Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors in Patients With Penile Carcinoma: A Sub-Analysis From Meet-URO 23 (I-RARE) Registry Study.

INTRODUCTION: Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare tumor with an aggressive behavior. The Meet-URO 23/I-RARE registry includes rare genitourinary malignancies. We extracted patients with PSCC to conduct a retrospective study aimed at assessing clinical outcomes and prognostic factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Primary endpoints were overall survival and progression-free survival. Prognostic factors for OS and PFS were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis. From the Meet-URO 23/I-RARE database, we extracted 128 patients with diagnosis of PSCC. About 48% of patients underwent first-line of therapy. RESULTS: In the overall population, median OS from diagnosis was 34.6 months. Significant differences in median OS were observed according to ECOG PS at diagnosis (57.3 months vs. 8.3 months; P < .001), and median age (≤77y 88.8 months vs. >77y 26 months; P = .013). At multivariate analysis, ECOG PS 2-4 at diagnosis (HR 3.04) and lymph node metastases (HR 2.49) were independently associated with a higher risk of death. Among patients undergoing first-line therapy (n = 61), median OS was 12.3 months, and a statistically significant difference was found according to type of response to first-line (DCR 24.4 months vs. PD 7.1 months; P < .001). Multivariate analysis showed that only age >77 years was associated with a worse OS (HR 2.16). A statistically significant difference in PFS was found according to platinum plus 5-fluorouracil versus platinum plus taxane (4.9 vs. 3.4 months; P = .036) and regimens with 2 versus 3 drugs (3.4 vs. 8.6 months; P = .019). At the multivariate analysis only regimens with platinum plus taxane were associated with worse PFS (HR 2.83). CONCLUSION: In our registry study, PSCC is confirmed to be an aggressive disease. Poor ECOG PS, presence of lymph node metastases, and higher age at diagnosis appear to be associated with worse survival outcomes.

Comparative Study on Anti-VEGF in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Setting Based on Lean Methodology from the Bari Intravitreal Injection Registry (BIVIR).

INTRODUCTION: Optimizing treatment protocols for wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) is an ongoing challenge, as it involves a delicate balance between achieving therapeutic efficacy and minimizing invasive procedures' frequency. This study aimed to apply the Lean methodology and evaluate the effectiveness of this new setting on intravitreal therapy for wAMD, employing different anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) drugs (bevacizumab, brolucizumab, aflibercept, ranibizumab), drawing data from the Bari Intravitreal Injections Registry (BIVIR). METHODS: This was a retrospective, monocentric, nonrandomized, comparative study. Lean methodology was employed to design the new setting and the BIVIR collected information from electronic medical records. Clinical data of four groups, stratified based on the first-line anti-VEGF agents used, were compared. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) changes were compared between the four groups at 3 and 12 months. RESULTS: Out of 4990 eyes and 41,323 intravitreal injections (IVs) recorded in BIVIR, 1421 eyes of 1182 patients were included. The mean number of IVs in first year was 6.1 ± 2.5, with no significant differences among the four subgroups. The mean change in BCVA was + 6.2 letters [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.6-6.8] after two IVs, and + 5.9 (95% CI 5.1-6.8) letters after three IVs; at three months, brolucizumab was associated with a greater mean increase in BCVA than bevacizumab (p = 0.050); aflibercept (p = 0.044) and ranibizumab p = 0.047). At the 1-year follow-up, the mean change was + 6.3 letters (95% CI 5.4-7.2), brolucizumab and ranibizumab were associated with a superior improvement in BCVA compared to aflibercept (p = 0.033). Regarding the CRT, a significant reduction was observed in the subgroup treated with brolucizumab at the 3-month follow-up, compared to bevacizumab (p = 0.003), aflibercept (p = 0.015), and ranibizumab (p < 0.001); Aflibercept exhibited a superior effect than ranibizumab (p = 0.001). At 1-year follow-up, aflibercept resulted in a more significant reduction of macular thickness compared to ranibizumab (p = 0.016) while no significant differences were observed among the other drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Our practical experience showed the effectiveness of the new setting in the treatment of wAMD. This comparative study at 1 year suggested a predominant brolucizumab efficacy on functional outcomes. In addition, brolucizumab and aflibercept appeared to have similar efficacy in fluid control.

Estimation of the incidence of urachal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of registry-based studies.

BACKGROUND: Urachal cancer (UrC) is a rare disease with limited availability of representative incidence and clinical data. Although, the prevalence is accounting for less than 1% of bladder tumors, the 5-year survival rate is around only 50% for patients with resectable tumors, and even worse for patients with metastatic disease. Due to the lack of comprehensive prospective studies, our current knowledge of UrC is still limited. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to summarize the available registry-based studies with unselected UrC patients to evaluate its incidence and clinicopathological characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search of registry-based UrC publications on the 15th of May 2023 in 5 databases, which identified 4,748 publications. After duplicate removal and selection by 2 independent investigators, 6 publications proved to be appropriate for the final meta-analysis. Estimated incidence and clinicopathological parameters were extracted. RESULTS: Estimated incidence ranged between 0.022 and 0.060/ 100.000 person-years, with the highest occurrence in Japan and the lowest in Canada, while the random effect model calculated an overall incidence rate of 0.04 (95%CI: 0.03-0.05) 100.000 person-years. The median age at first diagnosis was 60 years (range: 58-64). The female to male ratio was 2:3. Lymph node or distant metastases were present in 9% and 14% of patients. The predominant tumour type was adenocarcinoma (86%) followed by urothelial carcinoma (12%) and squamous cell carcinoma (2%). The 5-year survival rate was 51.0% with 95%CI: 45.2-57.4. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides an up-to-date comparison of estimated incidence rates between 6 countries of 3 continents based on rigorously selected registry-based studies. The results suggest low incidence rates for UrC with considerable geographic differences. The present meta-analysis provides unbiased registry-based data on the incidence, clinicopathological parameters and survival of UrC.

The Net Clinical Outcome of Dual-Pathway Inhibition in Clinical Practice: The "Xarelto plus Acetylsalicylic Acid: Treatment Patterns and Outcomes in Patients with Atherosclerosis" Registry.

Background: In the COMPASS trial, the combination of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) plus 2.5 mg rivaroxaban twice daily (dual-pathway inhibition, DPI) has been shown to be superior to ASA monotherapy for the reduction in ischemic major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs, i.e., cardiovascular death, stroke, or myocardial infarction). Methods: The international XATOA registry (Xarelto plus Acetylsalicylic acid: Treatment patterns and Outcomes in patients with Atherosclerosis) is a prospective post-approval registry that investigates the cardiovascular outcomes of patients taking ASA plus 2.5 mg rivaroxaban. The aim of this pre-specified analysis was to determine the net clinical outcome (NCO), i.e., a combination of MACEs and bleeding events, of DPI in patients from daily clinical practice. Results: Among the 5615 patients, the presence of multiple risk factors resulted in an increase in the total risk of experiencing an NCO event, e.g., from 1.27% (one risk factor) to 2.18% (two risk factors) and 4.07% (three or more risk factors), respectively, with ischemic MACE representing the primary driver of bleeding complications. Conclusions: In the real-world XATOA registry, the annual rate of NCO events was low and numerically similar to those seen in the treatment group in the randomized COMPASS trial.

Better kidney allograft survival despite higher-risk donor and recipient characteristics between 1995-2014.

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Advances in organ procurement, surgical techniques, immunosuppression regimens and prophylactic antibiotic therapies have dramatically improved short term kidney transplant graft failure. It is unclear how these interventions have affected longer term graft failure. It is hypothesised that graft failure has improved over the last 20 years. METHODS: Data on all first kidney transplants from 1995-2014 were extracted from the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry with follow-up as of 31 December, 2021. Primary exposure was transplant era, classified into 5-year intervals. Primary outcome was all-cause 5-year graft failure. Secondary outcomes included all-cause 10-year graft failure and cause-specific graft failure. Kaplan Meier curves and multivariable Cox Proportional Hazards Regression models were used to assess trends in all-cause graft failure. Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard models verified that changes in death rates were not biasing the Cox Proportional Hazards Regression models. Cumulative incidence functions were used to assess temporal trends in cause-specific graft failure. RESULTS: Across 10 871 kidney transplants, there was a shift towards transplanting more recipients aged over 45 years old, with more comorbidities, longer dialysis vintage, body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2 and greater human leukocyte antigen mismatches. Donor age has increased but no clear shift in donor source was observed. Compared to 1995-1999 (reference), the adjusted hazard ratio for 5-year graft failure was 0.78 (95% CI 0.67-0.91), 0.70 (95% CI 0.59-0.83) and 0.60 (95% CI 0.50-0.73) for 2000-2004, 2005-2009, and 2010-2014, respectively. Ten-year graft failure similarly reduced from 0.83 (95% CI 0.74-0.93) for 2000-04 to 0.78 (95% CI 0.68-0.89) for 2010-14, compared to 1995-99. CONCLUSION: Medium and long term all-cause graft failure has improved steadily since 1995-99. Significant reductions in graft failure due to rejection and vascular causes were observed at 5 years, and due to rejection, vascular causes, death and glomerular disease at 10 years.

Predicting ischemic stroke patients' prognosis changes using machine learning in a nationwide stroke registry.

Accurately predicting the prognosis of ischemic stroke patients after discharge is crucial for physicians to plan for long-term health care. Although previous studies have demonstrated that machine learning (ML) shows reasonably accurate stroke outcome predictions with limited datasets, to identify specific clinical features associated with prognosis changes after stroke that could aid physicians and patients in devising improved recovery care plans have been challenging. This study aimed to overcome these gaps by utilizing a large national stroke registry database to assess various prediction models that estimate how patients' prognosis changes over time with associated clinical factors. To properly evaluate the best predictive approaches currently available and avoid prejudice, this study employed three different prognosis prediction models including a statistical logistic regression model, commonly used clinical-based scores, and a latest high-performance ML-based XGBoost model. The study revealed that the XGBoost model outperformed other two traditional models, achieving an AUROC of 0.929 in predicting the prognosis changes of stroke patients followed for 3 months. In addition, the XGBoost model maintained remarkably high precision even when using only selected 20 most relevant clinical features compared to full clinical datasets used in the study. These selected features closely correlated with significant changes in clinical outcomes for stroke patients and showed to be effective for predicting prognosis changes after discharge, allowing physicians to make optimal decisions regarding their patients' recovery.

Cancer patterns in Arua district, Uganda: a hospital-based retrospective study.

Introduction: Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality with over 19 million cases and 10 million deaths worldwide. Available data on cancer patterns in Uganda are through modelling of data from two population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) representing only about 10% of the cancer situation in Uganda. This study sought to determine the common types of cancer among adults and children in Arua District over a 5-year period (2017-2021). Methods: Retrospective cohort chart review and 'catchment population approach' were employed. All newly diagnosed cancer patients from Arua between 2017 and 2021 were included in this study. Data were collected using Redcap whereas management and analysis were conducted using Stata 17. Cancer patterns were computed as frequencies and percentages and the interest was in finding out the common cancers among adults (above 19 years) and children (0-19 years). Results: Over the 5-year study period, a total of 1,118 new cancer cases were registered, with slightly more females (52.1%). The top five common cancers irrespective of sex and age were: liver cancer (13.7%), cervical (11.8%), breast (10.7%), oesophagus (10.5%) and Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) (6.4%). In this study, 15.3% (n = 171) of the study participants were children. The top five common childhood cancers included BL (42%), leukemia (10.5%), other lymphomas (9.4%), osteosarcoma (4.7%) and nephroblastoma (3%). Conclusion: There is a high incidence of liver cancer in Arua district. The high levels of cervical, breast and oesophagus cancer were consistent with what is reported by the two PBCRs in Uganda. However, BL could be due to the presence of a BL treatment centre at Kuluva hospital in Arua. Cancer interventions in Arua should therefore be targeted towards liver, cervix, breast, and oesophagus cancer and furthering research on the reason for the high incidence of liver cancer.

Race, ethnicity, ancestry, and aspects that impact HLA data and matching for transplant.

Race, ethnicity, and ancestry are terms that are often misinterpreted and/or used interchangeably. There is lack of consensus in the scientific literature on the definition of these terms and insufficient guidelines on the proper classification, collection, and application of this data in the scientific community. However, defining groups for human populations is crucial for multiple healthcare applications and clinical research. Some examples impacted by population classification include HLA matching for stem-cell or solid organ transplant, identifying disease associations and/or adverse drug reactions, defining social determinants of health, understanding diverse representation in research studies, and identifying potential biases. This article describes aspects of race, ethnicity and ancestry information that impact the stem-cell or solid organ transplantation field with particular focus on HLA data collected from donors and recipients by donor registries or transplant centers.

Trends in the incidence of colorectal cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: A population-based registry study.

In sub-Saharan Africa, colorectal cancer (CRC) has historically been considered a rare disease, although some previous studies have suggested that the incidence is increasing. We examine time trends in the incidence of CRC using data from 12 population-based cancer registries in 11 countries of sub-Saharan Africa that were able to provide time series data for periods of 12 or more years, or with earlier data with which recent rates may be compared. Age-standardized incidence rates were highest in the higher-income countries, and were increasing in all of the populations studied, and these increases were statistically significant in all but three. Current evidence has suggested a link between the increased adoption of western lifestyle habits with colorectal cancer, and along with increasing urbanization of African populations, there is an increase in body weight, as well as evidence of increasing consumption of meat, sugars, and alcohol.

Safety profile of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatments: literature review and updated data of the European Registry on Helicobacter pylori management (Hp-EuReg).

INTRODUCTION: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the most prevalent chronic infection globally, is the major cause of relevant diseases such as gastric cancer, leading to high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Several studies have focused on optimize H. pylori eradication treatment through combination therapies and antibiotic resistance. However, the adverse events profile and its impact, as a primary outcome, remains underexplored.The aim of this review was to summarize the available data on the safety of the most common regimens for H. pylori eradication and its impact on the compliance. AREAS COVERED: This review encompassed the published evidence from the years 2008 to 2023 regarding both the safety and compliance for most common H. pylori eradication regimens. The main sources for this review comprised MEDLINE, PubMed, and Cochrane electronic databases. Furthermore, it included a safety analysis of unpublished data from the European Registry on H. pylori management (Hp-EuReg). EXPERT OPINION: Poor compliance is correlated with significantly lower cure rates, and this is a unique modifiable source of H. pylori treatment failure. Eradication treatments have become complex, involving multiple drugs and dosing intervals. Thus, patient education is crucial; doctors must explain to the patient about potential temporary and most often harmless side effects.

Corrigendum: Cancer data quality and harmonization in Europe: The experience of the BENCHISTA Project - International Benchmarking of Childhood Cancer Survival by Stage.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1232451.].