The role of socio-economic status in the decision making on diagnosis and treatment of oesophageal cancer in The Netherlands

The influence of socioeconomic disadvantage on short- and long-term outcomes after oesophagectomy for cancer: an Australian multicentre study

BACKGROUND

Socioeconomic status (SES) affects outcomes following surgery for various cancers. There are currently no Australian studies that examine the role of socioeconomic disadvantage on outcomes following oesophagectomy for cancer. This study assessed whether SES was associated with short-term perioperative morbidity, long-term survival, and oncological outcomes following oesophagectomy across three tertiary oesophageal cancer centres in Australia.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed comprising all patients who underwent oesophagectomy for cancer across three Australian centres. Patients were stratified into SES groups using the Index of Relative Socioeconomic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD). Outcomes measured included perioperative complication rates, overall survival, and disease-free survival.

RESULTS

The study cohort was 462 patients, 205 in the lower SES and 257 in the higher SES groups. The lower SES group presented with more advanced oesophageal cancer stage, a higher rate of T3 (52.6% versus 42.7%, P = 0.038) and N2 disease (19.6% versus 10.5%, P = 0.006), and had a higher rate of readmission within 30 days (11.2% versus 5.4%, P = 0.023). There was no difference in overall survival or disease-free survival between groups.

CONCLUSION

Lower socioeconomic status was associated with more advanced stage and increased risk of early, unplanned readmission following oesophagectomy, but was not associated with a difference in overall or disease-free survival.

Global and regional quality of care index (QCI) by gender and age in oesophageal cancer: A systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2019

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to examine the quality of care by age and gender in oesophageal cancer using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database.

METHODS

Patients aged 20 and over with oesophageal cancer were included in this longitudinal study using GBD 1990-2019 data. We used the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) to classify the regions. We used Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method to calculate the Quality of Care Index (QCI). The QCI was rescaled into a 0-100 single index, demonstrating that the higher the score, the better the QC.

RESULTS

The age-standardized QCI for oesophageal cancer dramatically increased from 23.5 in 1990 to 41.1 in 2019 for both sexes, globally. The high SDI regions showed higher QCI than the rest of the regions (45.1 in 1990 and 65.7 in 2019) whereas the low SDI regions had the lowest QCI, which showed a 4.5% decrease through the years (from 13.3 in 1990 to 12.7 in 2019). Globally, in 2019, the QCI showed the highest scores for patients aged 80-84, reported 48.2, and the lowest score for patients aged 25-29 reported 31.5, for both sexes. Globally, in 2019, age-standardized Gender Disparity Ratio (GDR) was 1.2, showing higher QCI in females than males.

CONCLUSION

There were fundamental differences in the QCI both globally and regionally between different age groups as well as between males and females. To achieve the goal of providing high-quality services equally to people in need in all over the world, health systems need to invest in effective diagnostic services, treatments, facilities, and equipment and to plan for screening and surveillance of high-risk individuals.

Regional management of worsening heart failure: rationale and design of the CHAIN-HF registry

AIMS

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive disease in which periods of clinical stability are interrupted by episodes of clinical deterioration known as worsening heart failure (WHF). Patients who develop WHF are at high risk of subsequent death, rehospitalization, and excessive healthcare costs. As such, WHF could be seen as a separate disease stage and precursor of advanced HF. Whether WHF has a substantial health, societal, and economic impact evidence regarding its multifactorial nature and the specific barriers in treatment, including advanced HF therapies, remains scarce. The CHAIN-HF registry aims to describe the incidence, characteristics, current treatment, and outcomes of WHF. Additionally, it will promote structured regional collaboration and educate on increasing awareness for WHF and describe the implementation of guideline directed medical therapy and utilization of advanced HF therapies in a collaborative network.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The CHAIN-HF registry is a prospective, observational, and multicentre study from the collaborating hospitals (Rijnmond HF Network) in the Rotterdam area. Unselected and consecutive patients (irrespective of ejection fraction) with a WHF event will be included. Comprehensive data including demographics, co-morbidities, treatment, and in-hospital and post-discharge outcomes will be collected. Notably, data on socio-economic status, treatment decisions, and referral for advanced HF therapies will be included.

CONCLUSIONS

CHAIN-HF will be the first prospective, dedicated WHF registry in a collaborative network of hospitals that will provide robust real-world evidence on the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of WHF. Moreover, it will provide information on of the value of regional collaboration to improve awareness and outcomes of WHF.

Characterization of Esophageal Cancer and ItsAssociation with Influencing Factors in GuangzhouCity, China

Epidemiological features of esophageal cancer (EC), as well as their associations withpotential influencing factors in a city, have seldom been seldom explored on a fine scale. The ECdeath cases in Guangzhou city during 2012-2017 were collected to describe the epidemiologicalcharacteristics such as EC mortality rate (ECMR) and health-seeking behaviors of deaths. Potentialinfluencing factors, including socioeconomic conditions (population density, gross domesticproduct density), medical resources, and ageing degree were also gathered for exploring theirrelationships with the epidemiological characteristics of EC. A total of 2,409 EC deaths werereported during 2012-2017 in Guangzhou with an age-standardized ECMR of 3.18/105. Theprevalence of EC in Guangzhou was spatially featured and was divided into three regions withobvious differentiated ECMR (ECMR of 6.41/105 in region A, ECMR of 5.51/105 in region B, ECMRof 2.56/105 in region C). The street/town-level ECMR was spatially clustered in Guangzhou city,especially two clusters of streets/towns with high ECMR were highlighted in region A and Brespectively. Meanwhile, demographic features including gender gap, death age, temporal intervalbetween diagnosis and death, health-seeking behaviors were remarkably different among the threeregions. Moreover, health-seeking behaviors (e.g., the proportion of hospital deaths) of the ECdeaths were obviously influenced by medical institution occupancy rate and socioeconomicconditions at street/town level. In addition, the street/town-level ECMR was significantly associatedwith ageing degree across Guangzhou city (r = 0.466, p < 0.01), especially in region A (r = 0.565, p <0.01). In contrast, the ECMR in region B was closely related to population density (r = -0.524, p <0.01) and gross domestic product density (r = -0.511, p < 0.01) when the ageing degree was controlled,while these associations were weak in region C. The epidemiological characteristics of EC inGuangzhou city were spatially featured and potentially associated with socioeconomic conditions,medical resources and ageing degree on a fine scale across Guangzhou city. This study couldprovide scientific basis for local authorities to implement more targeted EC interventions.

National guidelines may reduce socioeconomic disparities in treatment selection for esophageal cancer

The 2011 National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines first incorporated the results of the landmark CROSS trial, establishing induction therapy (chemotherapy ± radiation) and surgery as the treatment standard for locoregional esophageal cancer in the United States. The effect of guideline publication on socioeconomic status (SES) inequalities in cancer treatment selection remains unknown. Patients diagnosed with Stage II/III esophageal cancer between 2004 and 2013 who underwent curative treatment with definitive chemoradiation or multimodality treatment (induction and surgery) were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare registry. Clinicopathologic characteristics were compared between the two therapies. Multivariable regression analysis was used to adjust for known factors associated with treatment selection. An interaction term with respect to guideline publication and SES was included Of the 2,148 patients included, 1,478 (68.8%) received definitive chemoradiation and 670 (31.2%) induction and surgery. Guideline publication was associated with a 16.1% increase in patients receiving induction and surgery in the low SES group (21.4% preguideline publication vs. 37.5% after). In comparison, a 4.5% increase occurred during the same period in the high SES status group (31.8% vs. 36.3%). After adjusting for factors associated with treatment selection, guideline publication was associated with a 78% increase in likelihood of receiving induction and surgery among lower SES patients (odds ratio 1.78; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05,3.03). Following the new guideline publication, patients living in low SES areas were more likely to receive optimal treatment. Increased dissemination of guidelines may lead to increased adherence to evidence-based treatment standards.

[Influence of Insurance Status on Survival of Surgically Treated Esophageal Cancer Patients]

Background/Aims

Socioecomomic factor is an important determinant of access to healthcare and is one of the potential causes of disparities in esophageal cancer care outcomes. The aim of the study was to clarify the association between National health Insurance status (health insurance vs. medicare) as a socioeconomic factor and survival of patients with esophageal cancer who underwent surgical resection.

Methods

Among the 66 patients who underwent surgical resection for esophageal cancer between January 2006 and December 2017, 17 patients (25.8%) were in the medicare group. The data were analyzed to identify clinical manifestations and to compare surgical and oncologic outcomes between the groups.

Results

There was no significant difference in the distribution of sex (p=0.13), age (p=0.24), and pathologic stage (p=0.61) between the groups. The length of median hospital stay was significantly shorter in the healthy insurance group (18 days vs. 25 days, p=0.04). In the medicare group, postoperative mortality rates and incidence of postoperative complication were non-significantly higher(11.8% vs. 6.1%, p=0.45, 64.7% vs. 46.7%, p=0.21, respectively). However, pulmonary complication rates, including pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndorme, and prolonged air leakage was significantly higher in the medicare group (47.1% vs. 18.4%, p=0.02). Five-year disease free survival rate was not different between the two groups (61.0% vs. 54.5%, p=0.68); the 5-year overall survival rate was significantly lower in the medicare group (27.7% vs. 53.7%, p=0.03).

Conclusions

The medicare status of National health insurance could have a negative influence on the overall survival in patients with esophageal cancer who underwent surgery.

Incidence and mortality of kidney cancer and its relationship with HDI (Human Development Index) in the world in 2012

Background and aims

Kidney cancer is among the cancers that have the highest growth rate in all age and racial groups in the world and is as the most deadly type of urinary tract cancer. Since awareness about this cancer incidence status and mortality is essential for better planning, this study aimed to investigate the incidence and mortality rate of kidney cancer and its relationship with the development index in the world in 2012.

Method

This study was an ecological study conducted based on GLOBOCAN project of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the countries in the world. The correlation between Standardized Incidence Rates (SIRs) and Standardized Mortality Rates (SMRs) of kidney cancer with HDI and its components was assessed using SPSS18.

Results

In total, 337,860 incidence cases (213,924 were men and 123,936 women) and 143,406 deaths (90,802 cases in men and 52,604 in women) of kidney cancer were recorded in 2012. A positive correlation of 0.731 was seen between SIR of kidney cancer and HDI (p≤0.001). Also, a negative correlation of 0.627 was seen between SMR of kidney cancer and HDI (p≤0.001).

Conclusion

The incidence and mortality rate of kidney cancer is higher in developed countries. A significant positive correlation has been seen between the standardized incidence and mortality rate of kidney cancer with the Human Development Index and its components. We need more studies to examine variation in incidence and mortality of kidney cancer and its related factors in the world.

Esophageal Cancer Treatment Is Underutilized Among Elderly Patients in the USA

OBJECTIVES

Large numbers of elderly patients in the USA receive no treatment for esophageal cancer, despite evidence that multimodality treatment can increase survival. Our goal is to identify factors that may contribute to lack of treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare Linked Database (2001-2009), we identified regional esophageal cancer patients ≥65 years old. Treatment was defined as receiving any medical or surgical therapy for esophageal cancer. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with failure to receive treatment. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

There were 5072 patients (median age, 75 years; interquartile range (IQR), 71-81 years). Majority were treated with definitive chemoradiation (48.49 %). Factors associated with lack of treatment included West geographic region and ≥80 years old. Patients who received therapy had better OS (log-rank, p < 0.001). Compared with treated patients, non-treated patients had worse adjusted OS (HR, 1.43; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.33-1.55; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer who received treatment had improved 5-year survival compared with patients without treatment. Disparities in utilization of treatment are associated with regional and socioeconomic factors, not presence of comorbidities.

The low IGFBP-3 level is associated with esophageal cancer patients: a meta-analysis

Background

Esophageal cancer was a vital cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and the insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) has been proved to be an important factor of multiple types of tumors. There is a controversy that whether the IGFBP-3 level is associated with the clinical pathological characteristics and overall survival of esophageal cancer patients. Herein, we aimed to comprehensively assess the association between the low IGFBP-3 level and the risk, overall survival and clinical pathological characteristics of esophageal cancer.

Method

We conducted a meta-analysis using seven eligible studies. The overall odds ratios (OR)/relative risk (RR) and their corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for each parameter.

Results

For the risk of esophageal cancer, the OR was 2.342 (p = 0.000), indicating that individuals with lower IGFBP-3 level were more likely to suffer from esophageal cancer, compared to those with relatively high IGFBP-3 level. With respect to the 3-year survival rate, the RR was 2.163 (p = 0.027), which demonstrated that esophageal cancer patients with low IGFBP-3 level had significantly lower 3-year survival rate; in terms of clinical pathological characteristics, significantly lower IGFBP-3 level was found for patients in all categories; for survival status, patients in low IGFBP-3 level are more likely to be in the dead survival status (OR = 4.480, p = 0.000).

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis suggests that for esophageal cancer, the low IGFBP-3 level is associated with high cancer risk, poor prognosis, and unfavorable tumor stage and metastasis.

Epidemiology, Incidence and Mortality of Bladder Cancer and their Relationship with the Development Index in the World

BACKGROUND

Bladder cancer is an international public health problem. It is the ninth most common cancer and the fourteenth leading cause of death due to cancer worldwide. Given aging populations, the incidence of this cancer is rising. Information on the incidence and mortality of the disease, and their relationship with level of economic development is essential for better planning. The aim of the study was to investigate bladder cancer incidence and mortality rates, and their relationship with the the Human Development Index (HDI) in the world.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were obtained from incidence and mortality rates presented by GLOBOCAN in 2012. Data on HDI and its components were extracted from the global bank site. The number and standardized incidence and mortality rates were reported by regions and the distribution of the disease were drawn in the world. For data analysis, the relationship between incidence and death rates, and HDI and its components was measured using correlation coefficients and SPSS software. The level of significance was set at 0.05.

RESULTS

In 2012, 429,793 bladder cancer cases and 165,084 bladder death cases occurred in the world. Five countries that had the highest age-standardized incidence were Belgium 17.5 per 100,000, Lebanon 16.6/100,000, Malta 15.8/100,000, Turkey 15.2/100,000, and Denmark 14.4/100,000. Five countries that had the highest age-standardized death rates were Turkey 6.6 per 100,000, Egypt 6.5/100,000, Iraq 6.3/100,000, Lebanon 6.3/100,000, and Mali 5.2/100,000. There was a positive linear relationship between the standardized incidence rate and HDI (r=0.653, P<0.001), so that there was a positive correlation between the standardized incidence rate with life expectancy at birth, average years of schooling, and the level of income per person of population. A positive linear relationship was also noted between the standardized mortality rate and HDI (r=0.308, P<0.001). There was a positive correlation between the standardized mortality rate with life expectancy at birth, average years of schooling, and the level of income per person of population.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of bladder cancer in developed countries and parts of Africa was higher, while the highest mortality rate was observed in the countries of North Africa and the Middle East. The program for better treatment in developing countries to reduce mortality from the cancer and more detaiuled studies on the etiology of are essential.

The effect of individual and neighborhood socioeconomic status on esophageal cancer survival in working-age patients in Taiwan

Esophageal cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer mortality. More than 90% of patients with esophageal cancer in Taiwan have squamous cell carcinoma. Survival of such patients is related to socioeconomic status (SES). We studied the association between SES (individual and neighborhood) and the survival of working-age patients with esophageal cancer in Taiwan. A population-based study was conducted of 4097 patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer between 2002 and 2006. Each was traced for 5 years or until death. Individual SES was defined by enrollee job category. Neighborhood SES was based on household income and dichotomized into advantaged or disadvantaged. Multilevel logistic regression was used to compare the survival rates by SES group after adjustment for possible confounding and risk factors. Hospital and neighborhood SES were used as random effects in multilevel logistic regression. In patients younger than 65 years, 5-year overall survival rates were worst for those with low individual SES living in disadvantaged neighborhoods. After adjustment for patient characteristics, esophageal cancer patients with high individual SES had a 39% lower risk of mortality than those with low individual SES (odds ratio 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.48-0.77). Patients living in disadvantaged areas with high individual SES were more likely to receive surgery than those with low SES (odds ratio 1.45, 95% confidence interval 1.11-1.89). Esophageal cancer patients with low individual SES have the worst 5-year survival, even with a universal healthcare system. Public health, education, and social welfare programs should address the inequality of esophageal cancer survival.

The effect of socioeconomic status on health-care delay and treatment of esophageal cancer

Background

Socioeconomic status (SES) has been focused on as a key determinant of the incidence of cancer, cancer stage at diagnosis as well as treatment choices in western countries. However, to the authors’ knowledge, little work has been done concerning the relationship of SES and esophageal cancer in China.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with primary esophageal cancer from January to December 2007 in Qilu hospital were included. Socioeconomic status was determined by a questionnaire including religion, years of schooling and high education, place of residence, occupation, annual household income, and insurance.

Results

A total of 238 cases were collected in this study. Linear-by-linear association testing revealed that health-care delay was significantly associated with SES (P = 0.009). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that increased health-care delay (>2 months) was more frequently observed in patients with lower SES (OR 2.271; 95% CI 1.069–4.853). Patients diagnosed at TNM I and II were more frequently in higher SES groups (P = 0.017). The association test was statistically significant for undergoing surgical resection only (P = 0.015) and chemotherapy (P = 0.015). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that surgical resection only was less performed in higher SES group compared with lower SES group (OR 0.372; 95% CI 0.188–0.734). For chemotherapy, higher SES patients had a three-fold higher likelihood compared with lower SES group (OR 3.042; 95% CI 1.335–6.928).

Conclusion

Socioeconomic status was found to be associated with health-care delay, tumor stage and treatment modalities in esophageal cancer.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-015-0579-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Research in cancer care disparities in countries with universal healthcare: mapping the field and its conceptual contours

The paper reviews published studies focused on disparities in receipt of cancer treatments and supportive care services in countries where cancer care is free at the point of access. We map these studies in terms of the equity stratifiers they examined, the countries in which they took place, and the care settings and cancer populations they investigated. Based on this map, we reflect on patterns of scholarly attention to equity and disparity in cancer care. We then consider conceptual challenges and opportunities in the field, including how treatment disparities are defined, how equity stratifiers are defined and conceptualized and how disparities are explained, with special attention to the challenge of psychosocial explanations.

Hospital of diagnosis and probability to receive a curative treatment for oesophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatment of oesophageal cancer in the Netherland is performed in high volume centres. However, the decision to refer patients for curative surgery is made in the referring hospital of diagnosis. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of hospital of diagnosis on the probability of receiving a curative treatment and survival.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

All patients with resectable oesophageal cancer (cT1-3, cN0-3, cM0-1A) diagnosed between 2003 and 2010 (n = 849) were selected from the population-based Eindhoven Cancer Registry, an area with ten non-academic hospitals. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the independent influence of hospital of diagnosis on the probability to receive curative treatment. Furthermore, the effect of hospital of diagnosis on overall survival was examined using multivariate Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

849 patients were included in the study. A difference in proportion of patients referred for surgery was observed ranging from 33% to 67% (p = 0.002) between hospitals of diagnosis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed the effect of hospital of diagnosis on the chance of undergo curative treatment (OR 0.1, 95% CI 0.1-0.4). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that hospital of diagnosis also had an effect on overall survival, up to hazard ratio (HR) 2.2 (95% CI 1.3-3.7).

CONCLUSION

There is a strong relation between hospital of diagnosis and the chance of referring patients with oesophageal cancer for a curative treatment as well as overall survival. Patients diagnosed with oesophageal cancer should be discussed within a regional multidisciplinary expert panel.

The effect of socioeconomic status on staging and treatment decisions in esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Optimal treatment choice for patients with esophageal cancer (EC) is complex and largely determined by tumor characteristics, comorbidity, and age.

GOALS

This study describes the role of patient characteristics, among which is socioeconomic status (SES), in EC treatment.

STUDY

Patients diagnosed with primary EC between 1990 and 2008 in the southern part of the Netherlands were identified using the Eindhoven Cancer Registry. Multivariable logistic and proportional hazard regression analyses were used to identify determinants of treatment and survival.

RESULTS

We included 1914 patients, and 37% of them underwent intentionally curative treatment. Low-SES patients were diagnosed at older age (16% vs. 9%, age more than or equal to 80) and with more advanced tumor stages (13% vs. 10%, stage T4) than high-SES patients. Age less than 60 compared with 70 to 79 years [adjusted odds ratio, 4.51; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.98-6.84] and high SES compared with low SES (adjusted odds ratio 1.59; 95% CI, 1.07-2.37) were independent predictors for curative treatment. Probability of death for high-SES patients undergoing palliative treatment was decreased compared with low-SES patients (hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.71-0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

SES is an important factor in treatment choice of EC. As health care is equally accessible to the whole population in the Netherlands, this suggests that both patient-related and physician-related factors are involved in this phenomenon.

A comparison of cervical cancer screening rates among women with traumatic spinal cord injury and the general population

BACKGROUND

Previous qualitative and survey studies have suggested women with spinal cord injury (SCI) are screened less often for cervical cancer compared with the general population. We investigated whether cervical cancer screening rates differ between population-based women with and without traumatic SCI, matched for age and geography.

METHODS

A double cohort design was used, comparing women with SCI to the general population (1:4) using administrative data for Ontario, Canada. Women with SCI, identified using the Discharge Abstract Database for the fiscal years 1995-1996 to 2001-2002, were female residents of Ontario between the ages of 25 and 66, admitted to an acute care facility with a traumatic SCI (ICD-9 CM code 806 or 952). Women in the general Ontario population were randomly matched by age and geography. Screening rates were calculated from fee codes related to Papanicolaou (Pap) smear tests for a 3-year period preinjury and postinjury.

RESULTS

There were 339 women with SCI matched to 1506 women in the general Ontario population. Screening rates pre-SCI were 55% for women with SCI and 57% during this same time period for matched women in the general population; post-SCI rates were 58% for both the two groups. Factors predicting the likelihood of receiving a Pap test for SCI cases included younger age and higher socioeconomic status.

CONCLUSIONS

Utilization data suggest that there are no significant differences in screening rates for women with SCI compared with the general population. However, screening rates for women with SCI were significantly influenced by age as well as income.

Medications (NSAIDs, statins, proton pump inhibitors) and the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma in patients with Barrett's esophagus

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Limited evidence suggests that proton pump inhibitors (PPI), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)/aspirin, and statins may be associated with a low risk of esophageal neoplasia. However, the possible effect these medications may have on the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) in patients with existing Barrett's esophagus (BE) is unclear.

METHODS

We conducted a nested case-control study in a cohort of patients with BE identified in the national Department of Veterans' Affairs computerized databases. Cases with incident EAC were matched by incidence density sampling to controls with BE who remained without EAC at the date of the EAC diagnosis for the corresponding case. We identified prescriptions for PPI, NSAIDs/aspirin, and statins that were filled between BE diagnosis and EAC diagnosis. Incidence density ratios were calculated using conditional logistic regression models that adjusted for race, outpatient encounters, a disease comorbidity index, and socioeconomic status.

RESULTS

In a cohort of 11,823 patients with first-time BE diagnosis, we examined 116 EAC cases and 696 matched controls. Most cases and controls had at least one filled PPI prescription (95% vs 94%; P = .5). In this setting of almost universal PPI use, filled NSAID/aspirin prescriptions were associated with a reduced risk of EAC (adjusted incidence density ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-0.97). Filled statin prescriptions also were associated with a reduction in EAC risk (0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.36-0.86), with a significant trend toward greater risk reduction with longer duration of statin use. However, the strong inverse associations with even short periods of use raise concerns of uncontrolled confounding.

CONCLUSIONS

This observational study indicates that in patients with BE using PPI, NSAID/aspirin, or statin therapy might reduce the risk of developing EAC.

The association between deprivation and hospital mortality for admissions to critical care units in England

INTRODUCTION

Few studies have investigated the association between level of social deprivation and acute hospital outcome for admissions to adult general critical care units. It is important to be aware if an association exists because risk prediction models do not adjust for deprivation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Deprivation was measured using the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2004, developed using 2001 census data in England. Eighty-four thousand four hundred twenty-three admissions to 138 adult general critical care units in England were selected from the Case Mix Programme Database from 1 year before to 1 year after the census date and linked to the IMD using postcodes. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate a possible association between quintile of IMD and acute hospital mortality.

RESULTS

As deprivation increased, acute hospital mortality also increased (P < .001). This association remained after adjusting for age, sex, acute severity, medial history, source of admission, and reason for admission to critical care (adjusted odds ratio for most vs least deprived quintile, 1.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.28).

CONCLUSIONS

There is an association between increasing deprivation and increasing risk of mortality for admissions to adult general critical care unit units in England. Further research is required to identify other unmeasured potential confounders (eg, smoking, alcohol consumption) as possible explanations for this association.

Trends and variation in the management of oesophagogastric cancer patients: a population-based survey

Background

Previous evidence indicates potential variation in the quality of care of cancer patients. We aimed to examine whether recent changes in the treatment of oesophagogastric cancers have been distributed equally among different patient subgroups.

Methods

We analysed population-based cancer registry data about the treatment patterning of oesophagogastric cancer (other than oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma) during 1995-2006.

Results

There were 14,077 patients aged ≥40 years (69% men). There was only limited information on stage, and no information on co-morbidity status. During successive triennia, curative surgery use decreased from 28% to 20% (p < 0.001) whilst chemotherapy use increased from 9% to 30% (p < 0.001). Use of palliative surgery and of radiotherapy increased significantly but modestly (7% to 10%, and 9% to 11%, respectively). In multivariable logistic regression adjusting for age group, gender, diagnosis period and tumour type, curative surgery and chemotherapy were used less frequently in more deprived patients [per increasing deprivation group Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.96, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.93-0.99, and OR = 0.90, 95%CI 0.87-0.93, respectively, p < 0.001 for both)]. Chemotherapy was also used less frequently in women (OR = 0.76, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

During the study period, curative surgery decreased by a third and chemotherapy use increased by more than three-fold, reflecting improvements in the appropriateness and quality of management, but chemotherapy use, in particular, was unequal, both by socioeconomic status and gender.

Users and utilization patterns of over-the-counter acid inhibitors and antacids in The Netherlands

OBJECTIVE

General practitioners (GPs) are the first-line physicians who are consulted for upper digestive symptoms. Persons with symptoms may, however, prefer to buy acid inhibitors or antacids in drugstores or pharmacies and bypass a GP. The aim of this work was to study users, reasons for use, and utilization patterns of over-the-counter (OTC) acid inhibitors and antacids in The Netherlands. We also studied factors that were associated with the substitution of OTC acid inhibitors or antacid use for consultation with a GP.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From July 2005 to January 2006, persons buying OTC acid inhibitors or antacids in 12 pharmacies and 4 drugstores were asked to complete a questionnaire. A total of 82/160 (51%) questionnaires were returned.

RESULTS

Heartburn was the main symptom for buying an acid inhibitor or antacid. Seventy-one (87%) participants substituted OTC drug use for a GP consultation. The most commonly reported reason was the belief that symptoms were not serious enough to seek medical care. Exploratory analyses showed that substitution was less common in participants with comorbidity, a history of upper gastrointestinal disorder, use of an acid inhibitor or antacid previously prescribed by a physician, alarm symptoms (such as pain and nausea), and with being symptomatic for >4 days/week.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the reasons for substitution of OTC acid inhibitor or antacid use for a GP consultation in The Netherlands do not suggest an a priori increased risk of an underlying serious disorder, it may be advisable for staff in drugstores and pharmacies to provide users with information on appropriate use and when to consult a GP.

Social inequality in incidence of and survival from cancer in a population-based study in Denmark, 1994-2003: Summary of findings

The purpose of this nationwide, population register-based study was to describe variations in cancer incidence and survival by social position in a social welfare state, Denmark, on the basis of a range of socioeconomic, demographic and health-related indicators. Our study population comprised all 3.22 million Danish residents born in 1925-1973 and aged >or=30 years, who were followed up for cancer incidence in 1994-2003 and for survival in 1994-2006, yielding 147,973 cancers. The incidence increased with lower education and income, especially for tobacco- and other lifestyle-related cancers, although for cancers of the breast and prostate and malignant melanoma the association was inverse. Conversely there was a general increase in incidence among early retirement pensioners, persons living in rented housing and those living in the smallest dwellings. Also incidence rates were generally higher in persons living alone compared to those living with a partner and in the capital area compared to the rural areas. Social inequality in the prognosis of most cancers was observed, despite the equal access to health care in Denmark, with poorer relative survival related to fewer advantages, regardless of how they were measured, often most pronounced in the first year after diagnosis. Also living alone and having somatic or psychiatric comorbidity negatively impacted the relative survival after most cancers. Our study shows that inequalities in cancer incidence and survival must be addressed in all aspects of public health, with interventions both to reduce incidence and to prolong survival.

Influence of education level on cancer survival in Sweden

BACKGROUND

While cancer survival at several sites has historically been shown to vary by education level, a current comprehensive assessment of survival following a cancer diagnosis in Sweden, a country with universal health care and cancer screening, has yet to be carried out.

METHODS

Using the 2006 update of the Swedish Family-Cancer Database and Cox's proportional hazards regression methods, we calculate the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval to estimate the influence of education level on site-specific cancer survival.

RESULTS

Significant positive associations between education level and cancer survival were observed following a diagnosis of upper aerodigestive track cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, urinary bladder cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Although the HRs differed between cancer sites, compared with women and men completing <9 years of education, university graduates were associated with a significant 40% improved survival for all cancer sites combined.

CONCLUSIONS

Survival differences by education level were observed for both indolent and aggressive malignancies.

Pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapeutic possibilities of esophageal cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article reviews developments in pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy of esophageal cancer published in 2006.

RECENT FINDINGS

Gene expression profiles in esophageal adenocarcinoma reveal information on its pathogenesis. One study disputed the UK guideline to perform upper endoscopy only in the presence of alarm symptoms. Evidence was presented that staging investigations for esophageal cancer should preferentially be performed in expert centers. Early [F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET was shown to predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A large randomized study demonstrated that peroperative chemotherapy improved survival in esophagogastric adenocarcinoma. The current American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system probably needs revision in that the number of involved lymph nodes and extent of lymphadenectomy should be included. Socioeconomic factors are involved in treatment decisions and outcome of esophageal cancer. Chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy are increasingly being used in the palliation of esophageal cancer. Palliation of dysphagia with stents was disputed as these devices may be associated with a high complication risk and may not improve nutritional status.

SUMMARY

In 2006, microarray technology was introduced to elucidate the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer. In addition, refinements in staging of esophageal cancer were proposed. Finally, (chemo-)radiotherapy is increasingly being used in the neoadjuvant setting and for palliation of esophageal cancer.