Geographic Origin may Affect Outcomes for Hispanic Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Social determinants of health thoroughly explored in the literature include insurance status, race, and ethnicity. There are over 50 million self-identifying Hispanics in the United States. This, however, represents a heterogeneous population. We used a national registry to investigate for significant differences in outcomes of Hispanic patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the Unites states, by geographic region of origin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified a cohort of Hispanic patients in the Unites states with NSCLC for which region of origin was documented within the 2004 to 2016 National Cancer Database (NCDB) registry. This included patients from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, South and Central America, and the Dominican Republic. We performed multivariate logistic regression modeling to determine whether origin was a significant predictor of cancer staging at diagnosis, adjusting for age, sex, histology, grade, insurance status, and facility type. Race was not included due to a nonsignificant association with stage at diagnosis at the bivariate level in this cohort. Subsequently, we used Kaplan-Meier modeling to identify whether overall survival (OS) of Hispanic patients differed by origin. RESULTS: A total of 12,557 Hispanic patients with NSCLC were included in this analysis. The breakdown by origin was as follows: n = 2071 (16.5%) Cuban, n = 2360 (18.8%) Puerto Rican, n = 4950 (39.4%) Mexican, n = 2329 (18.5%) from South or Central America, and n = 847 (6.7%) from the Dominican Republic. After controlling for age, sex, histology, grade, insurance status and treating facility type, we found that geographic origin was a significant predictor of advanced stage at diagnosis (P = .015). Compared to Cubans, patients of Puerto Rican origin were less likely to present with advanced disease (68.4% vs. 71.9%; OR: 0.82; 95%CI: 0.69-0.98; P = .026). We also identified a significant (log-rank P-value<.001) difference in OS by geographic origin, even at early-stages of diagnosis. Dominican patients with NSCLC exhibited the highest 5-year OS rate (63.3%), followed by patients from South/Central America (59.7%), Puerto Rico (52.3%), Mexico (45.9%), and Cuba (43.8%). CONCLUSION: This study showed that for Hispanic individuals living in the Unites states, region/country of origin is significantly associated with outcomes, even after accounting for other known determinants of health. We suggest that region of origin should be studied further as a potential determinant of outcomes in patients with cancer.

Vaccinal chronicity: immunotherapy, primary care, and the temporal remaking of lung cancer's patienthood in Cuba.

The Cuban biotechnology industry is producing cancer immunotherapy, in particular, therapeutic vaccines that actively stimulate the immune system to stabilise the tumour. These products aim to transform metastatic malignancies into a chronic disease. Since 2010, this therapeutic concept has been integrated within a public health experiment, consisting of the large distribution of immunotherapies, including in primary healthcare centres, to enhance access and assess its effectiveness on a wider population of patients. Such experimental intervention, consisting of post-marketing clinical trials, has focused only on lung cancer, one of the most widespread and lethal cancers on the island. Combining interviews with ethnographic observations focusing on care performed by professionals, patients, and their relatives, this paper analyses the experience of lung cancer chronicity under this type of immunotherapy in Cuba. It shows how a certain form of continuity is made between prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination to shape a new temporality of cancer care, through the integration within primary care, constant access to biotechnology, and multiple care practices directed to strengthen the immunotherapy's efficacy. If vaccinal chronicity remains fragile due to its experimental dimension and the fact that long-term survivorship is still an exceptional phenomenon, lung cancer patienthood is deeply transformed through a shared effort of the people and the state to provide more stable, meaningful, and inclusive care.

Racotumomab in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer as Maintenance and Second-Line Treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Racotumomab is a therapeutic vaccine based on a monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody developed by the Molecular Immunology Center in Havana, Cuba, that is registered in Cuba and Argentina for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. It induces a specific humoral and cellular immune response against the N-glycolyl GM3 (NeuGcGM3) ganglioside present in tumor cells, thereby provoking the death of these cells. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate racotumomab vaccine use as switch maintenance and second-line therapy for patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer in routine clinical practice, outside the framework of clinical studies, and assess the overall survival, stage-specific survival and safety in these patients. METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective study was carried out in patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer not suitable for surgical treatment, who received racotumomab as a part of switch maintenance or second-line treatments. Overall survival was defined from diagnosis and from the first immunization, until death. RESULTS: We included 71 patients treated with racotumomab, 57.7% (41/71) of whom were in stages IIIB and IV of non-small cell lung cancer. Of the patients, 84.5% (60/71) had no adverse events, and 15.5% (11/71) had mild adverse reactions. The median overall survival was 24.5 months, calculated from the first immunization, 17.2 months for those who received racotumomab as switch maintenance and 6.8 months for patients who had progressed after the first line of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Racotumomab in routine clinical practice prolonged overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated in switch maintenance, and in stage IV patients who received the treatment as second-line therapy. The vaccine was well tolerated.

Underlying dimensions of the EORTC QLQ-C30 in a Cuban population of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Quality of Life Core Questionnaire of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30) is one of the most used quality of life questionnaires in cancer studies. It provides scores for five functional scales, nine symptom scales, and two single items which assess overall health status and quality of life. However, high correlations among QLQ-C30 items suggest a reduced dimensionality for the scale. OBJECTIVE: To assess the dimensionality of the EORTC QLQ-C30 using item response theory (IRT) in a training sample and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in a test sample. METHODS: We analyzed responses to QLQ-C30 from 1,107 patients with advanced lung cancer who were included in five clinical trials of immunotherapy. We used non-parametric and parametric IRT models (Mokken, and Samejima's graded response) in a random training set (n = 332) for initial assessment of dimensions and item characteristics of the QLQ-C30. Finally, we used CFA in the test set (n = 775) to confirm the measurement domains. RESULTS: Mokken model showed that QLQ-C30 fits a unidimensional scale, whereas Samejima model showed that most QLQ-C30 items present adequate difficulty and discrimination. All items showed adequate scalability indexes with an overall scalability of 0.47 (medium scale). The QLQ-C30-reduced dimensionality was confirmed by CFA (comparative fit index = 0.98, root mean square error of approximation = 0.055) with all items presenting factorial loadings > 0.40. CONCLUSIONS: The EORTC QLQ-C30 fits a unidimensional latent construct identified with perceived quality of life in advanced lung cancer patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: RPCEC00000161, RPCEC00000181 and RPCEC00000205.

Broncoscopia como método diagnóstico del cáncer de pulmón, Santiago de Cuba 2016-2018 / Broncoscopia como método diagnóstico de câncer de pulmão, Santiago de Cuba 2016-2018 / Bronchoscopy as a diagnostic method of lung cancer, Santiago de Cuba 2016-2018

Introducción: La broncoscopia desde su surgimiento ha permitido ampliar las posibilidades diagnósticas de las enfermedades respiratorias, en el cáncer de pulmón permite llegar a un diagnóstico de forma rápida y segura. Objetivo: Caracterizar la broncoscopia como método diagnóstico del cáncer de pulmón, sus complicaciones y hallazgos más frecuentes, en el servicio de Neumología del Hospital General Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba durante los años 2016-2018. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal con los datos obtenidos de los pacientes que se les realizó la fibrobroncoscopia diagnóstica durante los años 2016-2018. El universo estuvo constituido por 172 pacientes con sospecha de cáncer de pulmón y la muestra quedó constituida por los 165 pacientes que se les realizó el proceder. Se utilizaron variables como diagnóstico de malignidad, técnicas broncoscópicas, complicaciones y hallazgos broncoscópicos. Resultados: Se encontró que 103 pacientes presentaron diagnóstico de malignidad, la biopsia bronquial presentó un 61,8 por ciento de positividad, el 94,6 por ciento de los pacientes no presentaron complicaciones y el enrojecimiento de la mucosa representó un 82,4 por ciento. Conclusiones: La biopsia bronquial fue el procedimiento que mayor positividad tuvo, las complicaciones fueron mínimas con relación al número de broncoscopias realizadas y el enrojecimiento de la mucosa fue el hallazgo más frecuente(AU)

Introduction: Bronchoscopy since its emergence has allowed to expand the diagnostic possibilities of respiratory diseases, in lung cancer it allows to reach a diagnosis quickly and safely. Objective: To characterize bronchoscopy as a diagnostic method of lung cancer, its complications and most frequent findings, in the Pulmonology department of the General Hospital Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso from Santiago de Cuba during the years 2016-2018. Method: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with the data obtained from patients who underwent diagnostic fibrobronchoscopy during the years 2016-2018. The universe consisted of 172 patients with suspected lung cancer and the sample was made up of the 165 patients who underwent the procedure. Variables such as diagnosis of malignancy, bronchoscopic techniques, complications and bronchoscopic findings were used. Results: 103 patients were found to have a diagnosis of malignancy, bronchial biopsy showed 61.8per cent positivity, 94.6per cent of the patients had no complications and mucosal redness represented 82.4per cent. Conclusions: The bronchial biopsy was the procedure that had the greatest positivity, the complications were minimal in relation to the number of bronchoscopies performed and the mucosal redness was the most frequent finding(AU)

Introdução: A broncoscopia desde o seu surgimento permitiu ampliar as possibilidades diagnósticas de doenças respiratórias; no câncer de pulmão, permite chegar a um diagnóstico de forma rápida e segura. Objetivo: Caracterizar a broncoscopia como método diagnóstico de câncer de pulmão, suas complicações e achados mais frequentes, no departamento de Pneumologia do Hospital Geral Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba durante os anos de 2016 a 2018. Método: Foi realizado um estudo descritivo e transversal com os dados obtidos de pacientes submetidos à fibrobroncoscopia diagnóstica nos anos de 2016-2018. O universo foi composto por 172 pacientes com suspeita de câncer de pulmão e a amostra foi composta pelos 165 pacientes submetidos ao procedimento. Foram utilizadas variáveis como diagnóstico de malignidade, técnicas broncoscópicas, complicações e achados broncoscópicos. Resultados: 103 pacientes apresentaram diagnóstico de malignidade, a biópsia brônquica mostrou 61,8por cento de positividade, 94,6por cento dos pacientes não apresentaram complicações e a vermelhidão da mucosa representou 82,4por cento. Conclusões: A biópsia brônquica foi o procedimento que apresentou maior positividade, as complicações foram mínimas em relação ao número de broncoscopias realizadas e a vermelhidão da mucosa foi o achado mais frequente(AU)

Differential effects of two therapeutic cancer vaccines on short- and long-term survival populations among patients with advanced lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Progress in immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment landscape for advanced lung cancer, with emerging evidence of patients experiencing long-term survivals. The goal of this study was to explore the existence of short- and long-term survival populations and to assess the effect of immunotherapy on them. METHODS: Data from two randomized, multicenter, controlled clinical trials was used to evaluate the effect of two therapeutic vaccines (anti-idiotypic vaccine VAXIRA and anti-EGF vaccine CIMAVAX) on survival curves in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients. Data were fitted to Kaplan-Meier, standard Weibull survival, and two-component Weibull mixture models. Bayesian Information Criterion was used for model selection. RESULTS: VAXIRA did not modify, neither the fraction of patients with long-term survivals (0.18 in the control group v 0.19 with VAXIRA, P = .88), nor the median overall survival of the patients in the short-term survival subpopulation (6.8 v 7.8 months, P = .24). However, this vaccine showed great benefit for the patients belonging to the subpopulation of patients with long-term survival (33.8 v 76.6 months, P <.0001). CIMAVAX showed impact in the overall survival of both short- and long-term populations (6.8 v 8.8 months, P = .005 and 33.8 v 61.8 months, P = .007). It also increased the proportion of patients with long-term survival (from 0.18 to 0.28, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that therapeutic vaccines produce differential effects on short- and long-term survival populations and illustrates the application of advanced statistical methods to deal with the long-term evolution of patients with advanced lung cancer in the era of immunotherapy.

Lung cancer diagnostic delay in a Havana hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and in Cuba, where its incidence and mortality are on the rise. Diagnostic delay is a variable linked to survival and prognosis. Quantifying this delay and comparing it with data from other national and international sources may lead to planning actions to reduce its impact. OBJECTIVE: Assess diagnostic delay of lung cancer in patients at the Joaquín Albarrán Clinical-Surgical Teaching Hospital, Havana, Cuba, from 2007 to 2010. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted based on administrative data from patients diagnosed with lung cancer. The length of overall diagnostic delay was determined, as well delay between symptom onset and the patient's first contact with the health system, and delay at the primary and secondary levels of the national health system. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the different time intervals. RESULTS: The study comprised a total of 54 patients; 74.1% were men; the largest age group was 51-60 years. Of the total, 61.1% sought care first at the primary level. Total diagnostic delay for these patients was 67.4 days: 24.3 days due to patient delay (SD 32.8), 16.2 days due to primary care delay (SD 5.2), and 26.9 days due to secondary care delay (SD 20.1). The total delay for patients first seen at the secondary care level was 79.1 days (SD 81.8): 47.8 days due to patient delay (SD 25.6), and 31.3 days due to secondary level delay (SD 14.4). CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic delay in lung cancer is high. Patients who went directly to hospital did not benefit from shorter delay in diagnosis.

A Woman-centered Educational Program for Primary Prevention of Lung Cancer in a Cuban Municipality, 2012--2013.

Lung cancer educational programs seek the involvement of different groups in efforts to promote healthier habits and lifestyles. Women are primary agents for targeting prevention actions because of their ability to foster healthy lifestyles within their families. The purpose of this study was to develop a woman-centered educational program to strengthen knowledge and promote responsible behavior aimed at primary prevention of lung cancer. Based on identified learning needs in 133 female participants concerning lung cancer self care, healthy habits and communication skills about self care, a ten-workshop series was designed and validated by specialists and users. Before intervention, 82% of participants were highly aware of smoking-related harm, but only 26% were highly aware of healthy environmental management practices at home and 14% were knowledgeable about self care. Differences in both awareness and practice of health-promoting behaviors were observed by the end of the training: those highly aware of smoking-related harm rose to 86.5%, and those highly aware of environmental management and self care increased to 66.2% and 83.5%, respectively. The proportions reporting acceptable levels of environmental management and self-care practices increased to 86.5% (from 0%) and 91% (from 3.8%), respectively. One year later, a positive impact on families was confirmed, predominantly on children. We conclude that such a woman-centered educational program can increase awareness and promote healthy behaviors aimed at lung cancer prevention. Women's ability to communicate and share lessons learned within their families should be considered in designing community health education programs. KEYWORDS Lung cancer, health education, disease prevention, primary prevention, health promotion, Cuba.

Is there a subgroup of long-term evolution among patients with advanced lung cancer?: hints from the analysis of survival curves from cancer registry data.

BACKGROUND: Recently, with the access of low toxicity biological and targeted therapies, evidence of the existence of a long-term survival subpopulation of cancer patients is appearing. We have studied an unselected population with advanced lung cancer to look for evidence of multimodality in survival distribution, and estimate the proportion of long-term survivors. METHODS: We used survival data of 4944 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stages IIIb-IV at diagnostic, registered in the National Cancer Registry of Cuba (NCRC) between January 1998 and December 2006. We fitted one-component survival model and two-component mixture models to identify short- and long- term survivors. Bayesian information criterion was used for model selection. RESULTS: For all of the selected parametric distributions the two components model presented the best fit. The population with short-term survival (almost 4 months median survival) represented 64% of patients. The population of long-term survival included 35% of patients, and showed a median survival around 12 months. None of the patients of short-term survival was still alive at month 24, while 10% of the patients of long-term survival died afterwards. CONCLUSIONS: There is a subgroup showing long-term evolution among patients with advanced lung cancer. As survival rates continue to improve with the new generation of therapies, prognostic models considering short- and long-term survival subpopulations should be considered in clinical research.

Spatiotemporal analysis of lung cancer incidence and case fatality in Villa Clara Province, Cuba.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer has historically been a main cause of death in Cuba, with lung cancer the number one cause of cancer death in both sexes. Cancer morbidity and mortality rates are the basic measures of cancer impact in the community. Cancer mortality has been one of the major applications of geographic analysis and has made important progress in recent decades thanks to access to mortality statistics and to development and availability of geographic information systems. Cuba does not have a strong tradition of etiologic research using spatial analysis. High levels of lung cancer morbidity and mortality in Villa Clara and growing interest in spatial analysis as an epidemiologic tool motivated this study. OBJECTIVE: To identify spatial and/or spatiotemporal clusters of lung cancer morbidity and case fatality in the province of Villa Clara, and to demonstrate the value of cluster analysis as an epidemiologic tool. METHODS: Descriptive observational study based on administrative data, using the technique of space-time scan statistics. The study focused on new cases diagnosed in 2004 and case-fatality for those cases through 2009. Variables used were: cases diagnosed, deaths, date of diagnosis, date of death, municipality and Cartesian geocoding for each municipality. RESULTS: The study identified significant spatial and spatiotemporal clusters of greater than expected lung cancer incidence (municipalities of Encrucijada, Camajuaní, Cifuentes, Sagua la Grande, Caibarién and Santa Clara) and case fatality (Encrucijada, Camajuaní, Cifuentes, Sagua la Grande, Caibarién, Santa Clara, Placetas and Manicaragua). CONCLUSIONS: Although the results are not explanatory, the spatial and spatiotemporal patterns of excess lung cancer risk and case-fatality can support hypothesis generation for research and eventual interventions for targeted prevention and management.

Modelo para la prevención y manejo del cáncer de pulmón en Cuba, 2010 / A form designed to prevent and to manage the lung cancer in Cuba, 2010

Introducción: El cáncer de pulmón es un grave problema sanitario en Cuba y afecta a uno y otro sexos. Su alta incidencia y mortalidad tienen una tendencia al incremento, más ostensible en mujeres. Su diagnóstico se realiza frecuentemente en etapas avanzadas. Objetivos: Estandarizar procederes que permitan, desde el nivel primario de atención, un procedimiento organizado para la prevención y el manejo del cáncer de pulmón, con énfasis en las personas en riesgo, así como contribuir a reducir el diagnóstico tardío de la enfermedad. Métodos: Para la construcción del algoritmo se tuvieron en cuenta los principales factores de riesgo del cáncer de pulmón, y entre ellos el de mayor contribución: el tabaquismo. Se organizó una secuencia estructurada de pasos que incluyó la aplicación de la estrategia de las 3 A (Averiguar, Animar, Asesorar), propuesta por la Organización Mundial de la Salud, adecuada a nuestro contexto y modificada, al ser aplicada por primera vez a fumadores pasivos. El modelo fue sometido a validación según criterios de expertos. Resultados: Fue construido el algoritmo que partió de explorar los principales factores de riesgo del cáncer de pulmón, orientado a sistematizar una conducta preventiva del tabaquismo, así como la sistemática de manejo del individuo en riesgo, con la participación activa del médico y la enfermera de la familia durante todo el proceso de atención. El resultado de la validación fue satisfactorio y se incorporaron las recomendaciones de los expertos. Consideraciones finales: Para el logro del diagnóstico en estadios más tempranos de la enfermedad y de la contribución a la reducción de la morbilidad y mortalidad, retos de la salud pública cubana actual, deberá tenerse en cuenta la propuesta de este modelo de prevención y adecuado manejo del cáncer de pulmón desde el nivel primario de atención(AU)

Introduction: The lung cancer is a serious health problem in Cuba affecting both sexes. Its high incidence and mortality have a trend to increase more evident in women. Its diagnosis frequently is made in the advanced stages. Objectives: To standardize procedures allowing from the primary level of care a procedure organized for prevention and management of lung cancer emphasizing the persons in risk, as well as to contribute to reduce the late diagnosis of disease. Methods: To construction of algorithm authors took into account the main risk factors of lung cancer and among them that of great contribution: smoking. A structured sequence of steps was organized including the implementation of "strategy" of three A (to find out, to encourage, to advice) proposed by WHO, suitable for our context and modified when it was applied for the first time in passive smokers. The form was submitted to validation according to the expert criteria. Results: An algorithm was designed from the exploration of main risk factors of lung cancer, directed to systematize a preventive behavior of smoking, as well as the management systematics of individual in risk with the active participation of family physician and nurse over all the care process. The result of validation was satisfactory and the expert recommendations were incorporated. Final considerations: To achieve the diagnosis in earlier stages of disease and of the contribution to reduction of morbility and mortality which are challenges of current Cuban public health, we must to take into account the proposal of this form of prevention and appropriate management of lung cancer from the primary care level(AU)

Modelo para la prevención y manejo del cáncer de pulmón en Cuba, 2010 / A form designed to prevent and to manage the lung cancer in Cuba, 2010

Introducción: El cáncer de pulmón es un grave problema sanitario en Cuba y afecta a uno y otro sexos. Su alta incidencia y mortalidad tienen una tendencia al incremento, más ostensible en mujeres. Su diagnóstico se realiza frecuentemente en etapas avanzadas. Objetivos: Estandarizar procederes que permitan, desde el nivel primario de atención, un procedimiento organizado para la prevención y el manejo del cáncer de pulmón, con énfasis en las personas en riesgo, así como contribuir a reducir el diagnóstico tardío de la enfermedad. Métodos: Para la construcción del algoritmo se tuvieron en cuenta los principales factores de riesgo del cáncer de pulmón, y entre ellos el de mayor contribución: el tabaquismo. Se organizó una secuencia estructurada de pasos que incluyó la aplicación de la estrategia de las 3 A (Averiguar, Animar, Asesorar), propuesta por la Organización Mundial de la Salud, adecuada a nuestro contexto y modificada, al ser aplicada por primera vez a fumadores pasivos. El modelo fue sometido a validación según criterios de expertos. Resultados: Fue construido el algoritmo que partió de explorar los principales factores de riesgo del cáncer de pulmón, orientado a sistematizar una conducta preventiva del tabaquismo, así como la sistemática de manejo del individuo en riesgo, con la participación activa del médico y la enfermera de la familia durante todo el proceso de atención. El resultado de la validación fue satisfactorio y se incorporaron las recomendaciones de los expertos. Consideraciones finales: Para el logro del diagnóstico en estadios más tempranos de la enfermedad y de la contribución a la reducción de la morbilidad y mortalidad, retos de la salud pública cubana actual, deberá tenerse en cuenta la propuesta de este modelo de prevención y adecuado manejo del cáncer de pulmón desde el nivel primario de atención

Introduction: The lung cancer is a serious health problem in Cuba affecting both sexes. Its high incidence and mortality have a trend to increase more evident in women. Its diagnosis frequently is made in the advanced stages. Objectives: To standardize procedures allowing from the primary level of care a procedure organized for prevention and management of lung cancer emphasizing the persons in risk, as well as to contribute to reduce the late diagnosis of disease. Methods: To construction of algorithm authors took into account the main risk factors of lung cancer and among them that of great contribution: smoking. A structured sequence of steps was organized including the implementation of "strategy" of three A (to find out, to encourage, to advice) proposed by WHO, suitable for our context and modified when it was applied for the first time in passive smokers. The form was submitted to validation according to the expert criteria. Results: An algorithm was designed from the exploration of main risk factors of lung cancer, directed to systematize a preventive behavior of smoking, as well as the management systematics of individual in risk with the active participation of family physician and nurse over all the care process. The result of validation was satisfactory and the expert recommendations were incorporated. Final considerations: To achieve the diagnosis in earlier stages of disease and of the contribution to reduction of morbility and mortality which are challenges of current Cuban public health, we must to take into account the proposal of this form of prevention and appropriate management of lung cancer from the primary care level

Años de vida saludable perdidos por cáncer de pulmón en Cuba en años seleccionados / Healthy years of life lost due to lung cancer in Cuba in selected years

Objetivos Identificar diferencias en la carga integral (combinando mortalidad y morbilidad) asociada al cáncer de pulmón entre sexos y provincias y describir su evolución en los años 1990,1995, 2000 y 2002. Métodos Los Años de Vida Potencial Perdidos por mortalidad se calcularon a partir de la Esperanza de Vida estimada para grupos quinquenales de edad. Los Años de Vida Potencial Perdidos se calcularon como promedio por cada defunción. Los Años de Vida Potencial Perdidos por morbilidad se obtuvieron a partir de las severidades, la incidencia y duración promedio. Resultados La tasa de Años de Vida Potencial Perdidos por mortalidad prematura se incrementó del 1990 al 2002 para ambos sexos, de 6,07 a 7,45 por 1 000 y de 2,52 a 4,21 por 1 000 en hombres y mujeres, respectivamente. Las provincias con mayores valores para esta tasa, en hombres en 1990 y 2002 fueron Ciudad de La Habana, Matanzas, La Habana e Isla de la Juventud, mientras que en el sexo femenino estas fueron Pinar del Río, Villa Clara, Ciudad de La Habana, Isla de la Juventud y Ciego de Ávila; se encontró un incremento de la tasa de Años de Vida Potencial Perdidos por morbilidad para ambos sexos del año 1990 al 2002 de 0,42 a 0,52 por 1 000 y de 0,19 a 0,28 por 1 000 en hombres y mujeres, respectivamente. La tasa de Años de Vida Ajustados por Discapacidad, también mostró una evolución desfavorable en ambos sexos. Los valores mayores de esta tasa se encontraron en La Habana, Ciudad de La Habana y Villa Clara para ambos sexos. El sexo masculino resultó más afectado tanto por mortalidad como por mortalidad. Conclusiones El impacto del cáncer de pulmón en términos de años de vida saludables perdidos tuvo una evolución desfavorable en Cuba en los años seleccionados del período 1990-2002.(AU)

Objectives To identify differences in the integral burden (combined mortality and morbidity) associated to lung cancer between sexes and among provinces, and to describe the evolution in 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2002. Methods The Potential Years of Life Lost due to mortality were calculated on the basis of estimated Life Expectancy for quinquennial groups of age. The Potential Years of Life Lost were calculated per death as an average. The Potential Years of Life Lost due to morbidity were estimated on the basis of severity, incidence and average duration. Results The rate of potential years of life lost due to premature mortality increased for both sexes in the 1990-2002 period; it was 6.07 to 7.45 per 1 000 inhabitants in males and 2.52 to 4.21 per 1 000 inhabitants in females. The provinces with the highest rates for males in 1990 and 2002 were Ciudad de La Habana, Matanzas, La Habana and Isla de la Juventus whereas the highest rates for females were found in Pinar del Río, Villa Clara, Ciudad de La Habana, Isla de la Juventud and Ciego de Avila provinces in the same years. There was found an increase in the rate of Potential Years of Life Lost due to morbidity for both sexes from 1990 to 2002; it was 0.42 to 0.52 and 0.19 to 0.28 per 1 000 inhabitants in males and females respectively. The rate of Disability Adjusted Years of Life also showed unfavourable evolution in both sexes. The highest figures were seen in La Habana, Ciudad de La Habana and Villa Clara for both sexes. The males were more affected in terms of mortality and morbidity. Conclusions The impact of lung cancer in healthy years of life lost had unfavourable evolution in Cuba in the selected years of the 1990-2002 period.(AU)