Standardized Rate Ratios Research Articles

EPA-0285 – Mortality of psychiatric inpatients diagnosed with delirium from 1995 through 2012

Introduction Delirium is an acute disorder of attention and cognition with a fluctuating course caused by physiological abnormalities. The syndrome is common, serious, under-recognised, and can be fatal. Objectives There are very few studies concerning mortality of delirious patients in psychiatric departments, just as there is a lack of literature on delirium in psychiatric patients in general. Aims To determine the psychiatric co-morbidity profile of Danish psychiatric inpatients diagnosed with delirium, and to analyse the standardized mortality rate ratio and predictors of mortality in the same patients from 1995 through 2012. Methods All first time-ever diagnoses of delirium among psychiatric inpatients were identified in the nationwide Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register (DPCRR) from 1995 through 2012. The delirium diagnoses include 1) delirium unspecified, 2) delirium in dementia, and 3) delirium drugrelated, all in accordance with ICD-10. The mortality rates were age-standardized and the statistical analyses performed with STATA 12. Results A total of 7,246 persons diagnosed with delirium was identified in the DPCRR between 1995 and 2012. Dementia was present in 7% before a diagnosis of unspecified delirium, and about one sixth was diagnosed with dementia after the episode of delirium. A dementia-diagnose before, co-occurring, and after delirium in dementia was seen in 39.8%, 61.9%, and 54.5% respectively. Drug-related delirium co-occurred most often with another substance-use related disorder. Sedatives or hypnotics cover the majority of substance use at the time of drug-related delirium. Further analyses are presently in progress. Conclusion In progress.

Bladder cancer incidence among workers exposed to o-toluidine, aniline and nitrobenzene at a rubber chemical manufacturing plant

BackgroundAn earlier investigation found increased bladder cancer incidence among workers at a rubber chemical manufacturing plant that used o-toluidine, aniline and nitrobenzene. The cohort was expanded to include additional workers...

Mortality trends in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Europe, 1994–2010: a joinpoint regression analysis

Findings from studies done over the past 20 years suggest that mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is decreasing worldwide, but little information is available for trends in Europe. We aimed to describe COPD mortality trends by sex and calendar year for the period of 1994 to 2010. We extracted data for COPD deaths between 1994 and 2010 in the 27 countries in the European Union (EU) from the statistical office of the EU (Eurostat), using the International Classification of Diseases 10 (ICD-10) codes J40-J44 and J47. We estimated age-standardised mortality rates (ASR), and analysed data using joinpoint regression, for women and men in the EU overall and by individual country for each year. We used the standard European population as the reference and present our findings as deaths per 100,000 person-years. We compared findings for each country with the EU average by calculating standardised rate ratios (SRR) and 95% CIs. Between 1994 and 2010, there were 2,348,184 recorded COPD deaths in the EU. COPD mortality was higher in men than in women throughout the study period in all EU countries. In the EU overall, deaths per 100,000 population decreased in men almost linearly from 90·07 in 1994 to 61·33 in 2010, and in women from 26·99 in 1994 to 25·15 in 2010, representing a narrowing in gender gap over the study period. Several countries had a higher SRR mortality than the EU average-eg, Ireland, Hungary, and Belgium for men and Denmark, the UK, and the Netherlands for women. Our joinpoint regression analysis identified no statistically significant changes in the trend for the whole EU, but several countries had changing trends over the study period. In men, we recorded a 2·56% constant and statistically significant decrease in ASRs in the EU. Five countries had an increase in ASR. Overall, in women, we recorded a 0·76% statistically significant decrease in ASRs. 14 countries had an increase in ASR. Our findings indicate a downward trend in COPD mortality in Europe between 1994 and 2010. The data also suggest a narrowing of the gap between COPD mortality in men and in women. The wide heterogeneity in mortality rates within European countries could serve as a reference to allow informed policy making. None.

Hip fractures among Indigenous Western Australians from 1999 to 2009

Minimal trauma hip fractures are prevalent in Australia. The incidence rate and trend of hip fractures in Indigenous Western Australians have not been formally reported. To evaluate incidence rates and trend of minimal trauma hip fractures in Indigenous and other Western Australians aged 40 years and over in 1999-2009 METHODS: Hip fracture data were obtained from an administrative database for all hospitalisations in Western Australia. Age-standardised incidence rates were calculated using direct standardisation, and standardised rate ratios were calculated using the indirect method. Trend in incidence rates were calculated using Poisson regression. In 1999-2009, 11,844 admissions for minimal trauma hip fractures were reported among Western Australians aged 40 years and over, of which 201 were recorded as indigenous. The age-standardised hip fracture rate was 273.0 (95% confidence interval (CI) 230.7-315.4) per 100,000 person-years for indigenous adults and 148.8 (95% CI 146.1-151.5) per 100,000 person-years for non-indigenous adults. The standardised morbidity ratio was 2.2 (95% CI 1.9-2.5). Over this period, age-standardised rates increased by an average of 7.2% per year among indigenous adults (P = 0.006), whereas non-indigenous rates fell by an average of 3.4% per year (P < 0.001). The relatively higher rates among indigenous adults were more evident in the younger age groups. There is a widening gap in minimal trauma hip fracture rates between indigenous and other Western Australians. This study demonstrates a need for public health review and management strategies to reduce falls and hip fracture in the indigenous community.

Prevalence of Bile Duct Cancer among Printing Industry Workers in Comparison with Other Industries

The aim of this study was to assess the risk of developing bile duct cancer among workers in the other printing industry in comparison with workers in all industries in general. Prevalence of bile duct cancer was compared between workers in the printing industry and age-standardized controls in all other industries using the claims database of the Japan Health Insurance Association, which insures workers of small-medium sized employers of all industries. Young (aged 30-49) male workers in the printing industry showed an elevated but insignificant standardized prevalence rate ratio (SPRR) for bile duct cancer in comparison with workers in all other industries (SPRR: 1.78; 95%CI: 0.63-5.00). The risk was higher for intrahepatic bile duct cancer but remained insignificant (SPRR: 3.03; 95%CI: 0.52-17.56). The sharply elevated risk of bile duct cancer observed among proof-printing workers of a printing factory in Osaka may not be generalizable to workers in the printing industry nationwide.

Profile of Lung Cancer in Kuwait

Lung cancer is the most frequent cancer in males and the fourth most frequent site in females, worldwide. This study is the first to explore the profile of lung cancer in Kuwait. Cases of primary lung cancer (Kuwaiti) in Kuwait cancer Registry (KCR) were grouped in 4 periods (10 years each) from 1970-2009. Epidemiological measures; age standardized incidence rate (ASIR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), Standardized rate ratio (SRR) and Cumulative risk and Forecasting to year 2020-2029 used for analysis. Between years, 2000-2009 lung cancer ranked the 4th and the 9th most frequent cancer in males and females respectively. M:F ratio 1:3. Mean age at diagnosis (95%CI) was 65.2 (63.9-66.4) years. The estimated risk of developing lung cancer before the age of 75 years in males is 1.8% (1/56), and 0.6 (1/167) in females. The ASIR for male cases was 11.7, 17.1, 17.0, 14.0 cases/100,000 population in the seventies, eighties, nineties and in 2000-2009 respectively. Female ASIR was 2.3, 8.4, 5.1, 4.4 cases/100,000 population in the same duration. Lung cancer is the leading cause cancer death in males 168 (14.2%) and the fifth cause of death due to cancer in females accounting for 6.1% of all cancer deaths. The ASMR (95%CI) was 8.1 (6.6-10.0) deaths/100,000 population and 2.8 (1.3-4.3) deaths/100,000 population in males and females respectively. The estimated Mortality to incidence Ratio was 0.6. The incidence of lung cancer between years 2000-2009 is not different from that reported in the seventies. KCR is expecting the number of lung cancer cases to increase.

“The psychological skeleton in the closet”: mortality after a sibling’s suicide

To study the association between loss of an adult sibling due to suicide and mortality from various causes up to 18years after bereavement. We conducted a follow-up study between 1981 and 2002, based on register data representing the total population of Swedes aged 25-64years (n=1,748,069). An elevated mortality rate from all causes was found among men (RR 1.26; 95% CI: 1.14-1.40) and women (1.27; 1.11-1.45) who had experienced a sibling's suicide. The standardized rate ratio of suicide of bereaved to non-bereaved persons was 2.46 (1.86-3.24) among men and 3.25 (2.28-4.65) among women. We also found some indications of an interrelation between sibling suicide and subsequent deaths from external causes other than suicide in men (1.77; 1.34-2.34) and deaths from cardiovascular disease in women (1.37; 0.99-1.91). An elevated all-cause mortality rate was found after the first year of bereavement in men, while bereaved women experienced higher mortality rates during the first 2years and after 5years of bereavement. Our study provides support for adverse health effects among survivors associated with sibling loss due to suicide. Sibling suicides were primarily associated with suicide in bereaved survivors, although there was an increased mortality rate from discordant causes, which strengthens the possibility that the observed associations might not be entirely due to shared genetic causes.

Trends in incidence of, and mortality from, cervical lesions in Ireland: Baseline data for future evaluation of the national cervical screening programme

AimTo investigate incidence and mortality trends for cervical lesions in Ireland in the period 1994–2008. MethodsWe used data from the National Cancer Registry, Ireland and national death registration data to calculate age-standardised rates for the periods of interest. We used standardised rate ratios to test whether incidence was associated with socio-demographic variables and used Joinpoint to examine trends by morphology grouping. ResultsIncidence of cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN3) rose over the period 1994–2008. The annual percentage change for cervical cancer was 1.8% and that for CIN3 was 3.8%. Women resident in the most deprived areas had invasive cervical cancer incidence almost twice as high as those resident in the least deprived areas (standardised rate ratio (SRR)=1.8). Comparing incidence in Ireland to England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland in the three years 2005–2007, the SRRs (other areas vs. Ireland) were 0.70, 0.88 and 0.84 respectively. Cervical cancer rates have fallen in these countries in the same period that there is a rise demonstrated in Ireland. ConclusionIncidence rates of cervical cancer rose in Ireland steadily, albeit modestly, during 1994–2008, most likely due to long-term changes in patterns of sexual behaviour and contraceptive use. A more pronounced rise in CIN3 rates point to considerable levels of opportunistic screening during this period. Mortality rates have changed little over the past four decades, in contrast to trends in countries with well-organised screening programmes.

Stable Incidence of Collagenous Colitis and Lymphocytic Colitis in Örebro, Sweden, 1999–2008

The incidence of microscopic colitis (MC) has increased in several centers, but long-term epidemiologic data are missing. We report an epidemiologic study of collagenous colitis (CC) and lymphocytic colitis (LC) during 1999-2008, as a follow-up of our previous studies 1984-1998. Population-based study of residents of the catchment area of the hospital, with a new diagnosis of MC between 1999 and 2008. Patients were identified by diagnosis registers of the Departments of Medicine and Pathology. Medical files were reviewed, and colonic biopsies were reevaluated. Collagenous colitis was diagnosed in 96 patients (75 females) and LC in 90 patients (74 females). The mean annual age-standardized incidence (per 100,000 inhabitants) was MC 10.2 (95% confidence interval: 8.7-11.7), CC 5.2 (4.2-6.3), and LC 5.0 (4.0-6.0). Age-specific incidence showed a peak in females older than 70 years. Prevalence (per 100,000 inhabitants) on December 31, 2008, was MC 123 (107.6-140.0), CC 67.7 (56.4-80.6), and LC 55.3 (45.2-67.1). A comparison of current study period with 1993-1998 showed unchanged mean incidence of MC, but a 2-fold increase in women older than 60 years with LC (standardized rate ratios 2.2, [1.2-3.7]) and increased female to male ratio (4.6:1 versus 2.1:1; P = 0.02) in LC. After an initial rise during 1980s and early 1990s, annual incidence of CC and LC has been stable during the last 15 years around 5/100,000 inhabitants for each disorder. The increasing incidence in older women with LC may be related to an increasing proportion of older individuals in the background population and increased colonoscopy frequency in elderly.

Associations between bullous pemphigoid and primary malignant cancers: an English national record linkage study, 1999–2011

We conducted a nationwide record-linked study using all English NHS hospital admission data and mortality statistics from 1999 to 2011 to evaluate the risk of concurrent or subsequent bullous pemphigoid (BP) in a cohort of 2,873,720 individuals with malignant cancers, when compared with a reference cohort. We calculated standardised rate ratios (RRs) based on person-years at risk, comparing the observed and expected numbers of BP cases in the cancer cohort with those in the reference cohort. Overall, the cohort of people with a record of a malignant cancer was not found to be at greater risk of concurrent or subsequent BP than the cohort of people without a record of a malignant cancer (RR 0.96, 95 % CI 0.88-1.04), although elevated risks of BP were found in sub-cohorts of people with either kidney cancer, laryngeal cancer or lymphoid leukaemia. We also similarly analysed the risk of concurrent and subsequent malignant cancers in a cohort of people with a principal diagnosis of BP, and again found no increased risk as compared with the reference cohort (RR 1.00, 95 % CI 0.92-1.09).

Chronic disease mortality in rural and urban residents in Hubei Province, China, 2008–2010

BackgroundChronic non-communicable diseases have become the major cause of death in China. This study describes and compares chronic disease mortality between urban and rural residents in Hubei Province, central China.MethodsDeath records of all individuals aged 15 years and over who died from 2008 through 2010 in Hubei were obtained from the Disease Surveillance Points system maintained by the Hubei Province Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Average annual mortality, standardized death rates, years of potential life lost (YLL), average years of potential life lost (AYLL) and rates of life lost were calculated for urban and rural residents. Standardized rate ratios (SRR) were calculated to compare the death rates between urban and rural areas.ResultsA total of 86.2% of deaths were attributed to chronic non-communicable diseases in Hubei. Cerebrovascular diseases, ischemic heart disease and neoplasms were the main leading causes in both urban and rural areas, and the mortality rates were higher among rural residents. Lung cancer was the principal cause of mortality from cancer among urban and rural residents, and stomach cancer and liver cancer were more common in rural than urban areas. Breast cancer mortality among women in rural areas was lower than in urban areas (SRR=0.73, 95% CI=0.63–0.85). The standardized mortality for chronic lower respiratory disease among men in rural areas was higher than in urban areas (SRR=4.05, 95% CI=3.82–4.29). Among men, total AYLL from liver cancer and other diseases of liver were remarkably higher than other causes in urban and rural areas. Among women the highest AYLL were due to breast cancer in both urban and rural areas.ConclusionsChronic diseases were the major cause of death in Hubei Province. While circulatory system diseases were the leading causes in both urban and rural areas, our study highlights that attention should also be paid to breast cancer among women and chronic lower respiratory disease among rural residents. It is important that governments focus on this public health issue and develop preventive strategies to reduce morbidity and premature mortality from chronic non-communicable diseases.

The impact of a two- versus three-yearly cervical screening interval recommendation on cervical cancer incidence and mortality: an analysis of trends in Australia, New Zealand, and England

To assess the impact of cervical screening interval recommendations on cervical cancer incidence and mortality during periods of organized and opportunistic screening in Australia (2-yearly screening interval for organized screening), New Zealand (3 yearly interval for organized screening), and England (3/5 yearly interval for organized screening). Changes in cervical cancer rates over two 10-year periods were assessed in each country among women aged 20-69 years using a standardized rate ratio (SRR). The SRR for opportunistic screening was calculated from 1973-1977 to 1983-1987 (mortality only), and for organized screening from 1993-1997 to 2003-2007 (mortality and incidence). During the period of opportunistic cervical screening, mortality reduced by 24% in Australia and 10% in England and Wales [Australia: SRR 0.76 (95% CI 0.71-0.83); England and Wales: SRR 0.90 (95% CI 0.87-0.93)]; no statistically significant reduction was observed in New Zealand [SRR 0.95 (95% CI 0.82-1.11)]. After the introduction of organized screening, mortality reduced 39-45% in each country [Australia: SRR 0.56 (95% CI 0.51-0.62); New Zealand: SRR 0.53 (95% CI 0.44-0.63); England and Wales: SRR 0.61 (95% CI 0.58-0.64)], while incidence reduced 19-38% [New Zealand: SRR 0.62 (95% CI 0.56-0.69); Australia: SRR 0.64 (95% CI 0.61-0.72); England: SRR 0.81 (95% CI 0.78-0.83)]. In the era of opportunistic screening, some reductions were observed in cervical cancer mortality rates, but these were relatively modest and seen inconsistently between countries. After the introduction of organized cervical screening, cervical cancer mortality rates fell by a similar amount (~40% or more) in all countries, and incidence fell by more than a third in Australia and New Zealand and by approximately one-fifth in England. Although several factors are likely to have influenced these observed reductions in cervical cancer rates, these findings do not support the more frequent 2-yearly cervical screening interval recommendation in Australia.

Cohort mortality study of garment industry workers exposed to formaldehyde: Update and internal comparisons

To further evaluate the association between formaldehyde and leukemia, we extended follow-up through 2008 for a cohort mortality study of 11,043 US formaldehyde-exposed garment workers. We computed standardized mortality ratios and standardized rate ratios stratified by year of first exposure, exposure duration, and time since first exposure. Associations between exposure duration and rates of leukemia and myeloid leukemia were further examined using Poisson regression models. Compared to the US population, myeloid leukemia mortality was elevated but overall leukemia mortality was not. In internal analyses, overall leukemia mortality increased with increasing exposure duration and this trend was statistically significant. We continue to see limited evidence of an association between formaldehyde and leukemia. However, the extended follow-up did not strengthen previously observed associations. In addition to continued epidemiologic research, we recommend further research to evaluate the biological plausibility of a causal relation between formaldehyde and leukemia.

Mortality among 24,865 workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in three electrical capacitor manufacturing plants: A ten-year update

The objective of this analysis was to evaluate mortality among a cohort of 24,865 capacitor-manufacturing workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at plants in Indiana, Massachusetts, and New York and followed for mortality through 2008. Cumulative PCB exposure was estimated using plant-specific job-exposure matrices. External comparisons to US and state-specific populations used standardized mortality ratios, adjusted for gender, race, age and calendar year. Among long-term workers employed 3 months or longer, within-cohort comparisons used standardized rate ratios and multivariable Poisson regression modeling. Through 2008, more than one million person-years at risk and 8749 deaths were accrued. Among long-term employees, all-cause and all-cancer mortality were not elevated; of the a priori outcomes assessed only melanoma mortality was elevated. Mortality was elevated for some outcomes of a priori interest among subgroups of long-term workers: all cancer, intestinal cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (women); melanoma (men); melanoma and brain and nervous system cancer (Indiana plant); and melanoma and multiple myeloma (New York plant). Standardized rates of stomach and uterine cancer and multiple myeloma mortality increased with estimated cumulative PCB exposure. Poisson regression modeling showed significant associations with estimated cumulative PCB exposure for prostate and stomach cancer mortality. For other outcomes of a priori interest--rectal, liver, ovarian, breast, and thyroid cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Alzheimer disease, and Parkinson disease--neither elevated mortality nor positive associations with PCB exposure were observed. Associations between estimated cumulative PCB exposure and stomach, uterine, and prostate cancer and myeloma mortality confirmed our previous positive findings.

Historical Long-term Exposure to Pentachlorophenol Causing Risk of Cancer - A Community Study

Pervious studies suggested occupational workers exposure to pentachlorophenol (PCP) might contribute to increased risk of cancer. However, few studies have focused on associations between PCP and cancer risk at the community level. The present study was to explore the cancer risk for the community population living long-term in a PCP contaminated area. All the cancer cases diagnosed in 2009- 2011 in Tongling City were collected. The cancer patients' residencies were geo-referenced in each district. The historical PCP usage for each district of Tongling was calculated as the PCP pollution index, which was further used to divide into PCP exposure categories. Standardized rate ratios (SRRs) of cancer incidence were applied to detect the cancer risk as exposure grade elevated. Correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between PCP pollution and cancer incidence. A total of 5,288 cancer cases (3,451 male and 1,837 female) were identified. PCP usage was correlated with the incidence of leukemia (r=0.88, P=0.002) for males, and with cancer of the esophagus for males (r=0.83, P=0.008) and females (r=0.71, P=0.020). Compared with the low exposure category, significant SRRs for total cancer sites was obtained for high PCP exposure category (SRR=1.61, 95%CI=1.59-1.62). Most SRR values of the cancer sites were significantly increased as exposure grade elevated and exposure time extended. The present study found that community residents living in the PCP contaminated area had increased risk of cancers. Leukemias, lymphomas and nasopharyngeal and esophageal cancers are most possibly associated with PCP exposure.

Reduced mortality rates in a cohort of long‐term underground iron‐ore miners

Historically, working in iron-ore mines has been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer and silicosis. However, studies on other causes of mortality are inconsistent and in the case of cancer incidence, sparse. The aim of this study was to examine the association between iron-ore mining, mortality and cancer incidence. A 54-year cohort study on iron-ore miners from mines in northern Sweden was carried out comprising 13,000 workers. Standardized rate ratios were calculated comparing the disease frequency, mortality, and cancer incidence with that of the general population of northern Sweden. Poisson regression was used to evaluate the association between the durations of employment and underground work, and outcome. Underground mining was associated with a significant decrease in adjusted mortality rate ratios for cerebrovascular and digestive system diseases, and stroke. For several outcomes, elevated standardized rate ratios were observed among blue-collar workers relative to the reference population. However, only the incidence of lung cancer increased with employment time underground (P < 0.001). Long-term iron-ore mining underground was associated with lower rates regarding several health outcomes. This is possibly explained by factors related to actual job activities, environmental exposure, or the selection of healthier workers for long-term underground employment.

Desigualdades en mortalidad entre Andalucía y España desde 1990 hasta 2010

ObjectivesTo describe inequalities in mortality between Andalusia and Spain as a whole by sex and age group between 1990 and 2010. MethodsDeaths in Andalusia and Spain were obtained from the Andalusian Mortality Registry and the National Institute of Statistics, respectively. Population data, classified by sex and age group, were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics. Crude and age- and sex-adjusted standardized mortality rates were calculated. Additionally, standardized rate ratios between Andalusia and Spain were estimated, and joinpoint regression models were built to assess trends. ResultsIn both sexes and in all the years studied, mortality was higher in Andalusia than in Spain as a whole. Rate ratios increased from 11% of men in Andalusia in 1990 to 14% in 2010 and from 9% of women in 1990 to 11% in 2010. By age group, mortality was higher than the Spanish average in Andalusian men and women, except in those aged less than 45 years in the first few years of the series. In both sexes and in all age groups, there were downward trends in Andalusia and Spain. ConclusionMortality in Andalusia is higher than the Spanish average with a tendency to decrease at a slightly slower rate than in Spain, indicating that inequalities have increased. If this tendency continues, mortality in Andalusia will not converge with the Spanish average in the near future.

Mortality Among Homeless Adults in Boston

Homeless persons experience excess mortality, but US-based studies on this topic are outdated or lack information about causes of death. To our knowledge, no studies have examined shifts in causes of death for this population over time. We assessed all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates in a cohort of 28 033 adults 18 years or older who were seen at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2008. Deaths were identified through probabilistic linkage to the Massachusetts death occurrence files. We compared mortality rates in this cohort with rates in the 2003-2008 Massachusetts population and a 1988-1993 cohort of homeless adults in Boston using standardized rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 1302 deaths occurred during 90 450 person-years of observation. Drug overdose (n = 219), cancer (n = 206), and heart disease (n = 203) were the major causes of death. Drug overdose accounted for one-third of deaths among adults younger than 45 years. Opioids were implicated in 81% of overdose deaths. Mortality rates were higher among whites than nonwhites. Compared with Massachusetts adults, mortality disparities were most pronounced among younger individuals, with rates about 9-fold higher in 25- to 44-year-olds and 4.5-fold higher in 45- to 64-year-olds. In comparison with 1988-1993 rates, reductions in deaths from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were offset by 3- and 2-fold increases in deaths owing to drug overdose and psychoactive substance use disorders, resulting in no significant difference in overall mortality. The all-cause mortality rate among homeless adults in Boston remains high and unchanged since 1988 to 1993 despite a major interim expansion in clinical services. Drug overdose has replaced HIV as the emerging epidemic. Interventions to reduce mortality in this population should include behavioral health integration into primary medical care, public health initiatives to prevent and reverse drug overdose, and social policy measures to end homelessness.

Prostate cancer incidence in males with Lynch syndrome.

366 Background: Lynch syndrome (LS) is caused by germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes and increases the risk of colon and several other cancers. Prostate cancer is not currently considered part of the LS-tumor spectrum. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess whether the incidence of prostate cancer is increased above that of the general population in MMR mutation carriers. Methods: Patients who were identified as MMR mutation carriers and included in previous LS studies or evaluated at the genetics clinic at The Ohio State University were contacted and their cancer history documented. Follow-up time was defined as the time between their first index cancer or their entry onto the LS studies until the last date of follow-up or date of death, whichever came first. The prostate cancer incidence was adjusted for age and race and compared to that of the SEER registry of 1999-2009. A standardized rate ratio (SRR) was obtained by comparing the observed rate to the expected rate. Results: 186 males (median age 49 years, range 17-83) were identified as MMR mutation carriers either by testing (95%) or as obligate carriers (5%) in 94 families. Their mean follow-up time was 5.1 years (SD+/-6.0 years) with a total of 938 person-years (p-ys). Caucasians comprised 95.1% of the cohort, African-Americans 3.8% and Asians 1.1%. Of the patients who were tested for mutations, MSH2 was most commonly mutated (49.2%), followed by MLH1 (23.7%), PMS2 (14.7%) and MSH6 (12.4%). Ten patients (5.4%), all Caucasian, were diagnosed with prostate cancer at a median age of 59 years (range 52-82). 7 patients were identified as MSH2 carriers, 2 as MSH6 carriers and 1 as a PMS2 carrier. The observed incidence rate was 102.8 cases per 100,000 p-ys versus the expected number of 158.2 cases per 100,000 p-ys, the standardized rate ratio was 0.65 (95% CI 0.53-0.79). Conclusions: Prostate cancer incidence was not increased in this relatively large cohort of LS patients.

Epidemic of Lung Cancer in Patients With HIV Infection

The survival of patients with HIV infection has improved dramatically over the past 20 years, largely owing to a significant reduction in opportunistic infections and AIDs-defining malignancies, such as lymphoma and Kaposi sarcoma. However, with improved survival, patients with HIV are experiencing morbidity and mortality from other (non-AIDs-defining) complications, such as solid organ malignancies. Of these, the leading cause of mortality in the HIV-infected population is lung cancer, accounting for nearly 30% of all cancer deaths and 10% of all non-HIV-related deaths. Importantly, the average age of onset of lung cancer in the HIV-infected population is 25 to 30 years earlier than that in the general population and at lower exposure to cigarette smoke. This article provides an overview of the epidemiology of lung cancer in the HIV-infected population and discusses some of the important risk factors and pathways that may enhance the risk of lung cancer in this population.