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Seniori Costantini A, Gallo F, Pega F, Saracci R, Veerus P, West R. Population health and status of epidemiology in Western European, Balkan and Baltic countries. Int J Epidemiol 2015; 44:300-23. [PMID: 25713311 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyu256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This article is part of a series commissioned by the International Epidemiological Association, aimed at describing population health and epidemiological resources in the six World Health Organization (WHO) regions. It covers 32 of the 53 WHO European countries, namely the Western European countries, the Balkan countries and the Baltic countries. METHODS The burdens of mortality and morbidity and the patterns of risk factors and inequalities have been reviewed in order to identify health priorities and challenges. Literature and internet searches were conducted to stock-take epidemiological teaching, research activities, funding and scientific productivity. FINDINGS These countries have among the highest life expectancies worldwide. However, within- and between-country inequalities persist, which are largely due to inequalities in distribution of main health determinants. There is a long tradition of epidemiological research and teaching in most countries, in particular in the Western European countries. Cross-national networks and collaborations are increasing through the support of the European Union which fosters procedures to standardize educational systems across Europe and provides funding for epidemiological research through framework programmes. The number of Medline-indexed epidemiological research publications per year led by Western European countries has been increasing. The countries accounts for nearly a third of the global epidemiological publication. CONCLUSIONS Although population health has improved considerably overall, persistent within- and between-country inequalities continue to challenge national and European health institutions. More research, policy and action on the social determinants of health are required in the region. Epidemiological training, research and workforce in the Baltic and Balkan countries should be strengthened. European epidemiologists can play pivotal roles and must influence legislation concerning production and access to high-quality data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adele Seniori Costantini
- Cancer Prevention and Research Institute (ISPO), Florence, Italy, Centre for Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, AOU City of Health and Science, Turin, Italy, Burden of Disease Epidemiology, Equity and Cost-Effectiveness Programme and Health Inequalities Research Programme, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA, Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council, Pisa, Italy, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia and Wales Heart Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Federica Gallo
- Cancer Prevention and Research Institute (ISPO), Florence, Italy, Centre for Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, AOU City of Health and Science, Turin, Italy, Burden of Disease Epidemiology, Equity and Cost-Effectiveness Programme and Health Inequalities Research Programme, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA, Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council, Pisa, Italy, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia and Wales Heart Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Frank Pega
- Cancer Prevention and Research Institute (ISPO), Florence, Italy, Centre for Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, AOU City of Health and Science, Turin, Italy, Burden of Disease Epidemiology, Equity and Cost-Effectiveness Programme and Health Inequalities Research Programme, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA, Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council, Pisa, Italy, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia and Wales Heart Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK Cancer Prevention and Research Institute (ISPO), Florence, Italy, Centre for Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, AOU City of Health and Science, Turin, Italy, Burden of Disease Epidemiology, Equity and Cost-Effectiveness Programme and Health Inequalities Research Programme, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA, Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council, Pisa, Italy, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia and Wales Heart Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK Cancer Prevention and Research Institute (ISPO), Florence, Italy, Centre for Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, AOU City of Health and Science, Turin, Italy, Burden of Disease Epidemiology, Equity and Cost-Effectiveness Programme and Health Inequalities Research Programme, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA, Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council, Pisa, Italy, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia and Wales Heart Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Rodolfo Saracci
- Cancer Prevention and Research Institute (ISPO), Florence, Italy, Centre for Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, AOU City of Health and Science, Turin, Italy, Burden of Disease Epidemiology, Equity and Cost-Effectiveness Programme and Health Inequalities Research Programme, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA, Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council, Pisa, Italy, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia and Wales Heart Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Piret Veerus
- Cancer Prevention and Research Institute (ISPO), Florence, Italy, Centre for Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, AOU City of Health and Science, Turin, Italy, Burden of Disease Epidemiology, Equity and Cost-Effectiveness Programme and Health Inequalities Research Programme, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA, Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council, Pisa, Italy, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia and Wales Heart Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Robert West
- Cancer Prevention and Research Institute (ISPO), Florence, Italy, Centre for Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, AOU City of Health and Science, Turin, Italy, Burden of Disease Epidemiology, Equity and Cost-Effectiveness Programme and Health Inequalities Research Programme, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA, Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council, Pisa, Italy, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia and Wales Heart Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Lo SH, Waller J, Vrinten C, Wardle J, von Wagner C. Self-Reported And Objectively Recorded Colorectal Cancer Screening Participation In England. J Med Screen 2015; 23:17-23. [PMID: 26408533 PMCID: PMC4741296 DOI: 10.1177/0969141315599015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Objective To compare self-reported with objectively recorded participation in Faecal Occult Blood testing (FOBt) colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in a national programme. Methods Survey respondents living in England who were eligible for screening were asked in face-to-face interviews if they had ever been invited to do a CRC screening test, how many times they had been invited, and how many times they had participated. National Health Service (NHS) Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) records were consulted for respondents who had consented to a record check. The outcome measures were ‘ever uptake’ (responded to ≥1 invitation), ‘repeat uptake’ (responded to ≥2 invitations), and ‘consistent uptake’ (responded to all invitations). Results In the verified group, self-reported ever uptake was highly consistent with recorded ever uptake (87.0% vs. 87.8%). Among those who indicated that they had been invited more than once, self-reported repeat uptake was 89.8% compared with 84.8% recorded repeat uptake. Among those with more than one recorded invitation, self-reported repeat uptake was 72.7% compared with 77.2% recorded repeat uptake, and self-reported consistent uptake was 81.6% compared with 65.6% recorded consistent uptake. Conclusion Our results suggest that people can accurately report whether they have ever taken part in CRC screening. The vast majority of those whose records were verified could also accurately report whether they had taken part in screening at least twice. They were somewhat less accurate in reporting whether they had responded to all screening invitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siu Hing Lo
- Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT
| | - Jo Waller
- Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT
| | - Charlotte Vrinten
- Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT
| | - Jane Wardle
- Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT
| | - Christian von Wagner
- Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT
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Herszényi L, Hritz I, Lakatos G, Varga MZ, Tulassay Z. The behavior of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in colorectal cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2012; 13:13240-63. [PMID: 23202950 PMCID: PMC3497324 DOI: 10.3390/ijms131013240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2012] [Revised: 10/08/2012] [Accepted: 10/10/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in the degradation of extracellular matrix components crucial for tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. MMPs are controlled by natural inhibitors called tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). We and others have demonstrated that MMPs and TIMPs are especially important in the process of tumor invasion, progression and the metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). It has been proposed that MMPs and TIMPs might play a part not only in tumor invasion and initiation of metastasis but also in carcinogenesis from colorectal adenomas. Several recent studies demonstrated that high preoperative serum or plasma MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 antigen levels are strong predictive factors for poor prognosis in patients with CRC and their determination might be useful for identification of patients with higher risk for cancer recurrence. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 have significant potential tumor marker impact in CRC. Their diagnostic sensitivity is consistently higher than those of conventional biomarkers. The pharmacological targeting of CRC by the development of a new generation of selective inhibitors of MMPs, that is highly specific for certain MMPs, is a promising and challenging area for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- László Herszényi
- Second Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, H-1088 Budapest, Szentkirályi str. 46, H-1088, Hungary; E-Mails: (I.H.); (G.L.); (M.Z.V.); (Z.T.)
| | - István Hritz
- Second Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, H-1088 Budapest, Szentkirályi str. 46, H-1088, Hungary; E-Mails: (I.H.); (G.L.); (M.Z.V.); (Z.T.)
- First Department of Medicine, Fejér County Szent György Hospital, Székesfehérvár, H-8000, Hungary
| | - Gábor Lakatos
- Second Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, H-1088 Budapest, Szentkirályi str. 46, H-1088, Hungary; E-Mails: (I.H.); (G.L.); (M.Z.V.); (Z.T.)
- Department of Oncology, Szent László Hospital, Budapest, H-1097, Hungary
| | - Mária Zsófia Varga
- Second Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, H-1088 Budapest, Szentkirályi str. 46, H-1088, Hungary; E-Mails: (I.H.); (G.L.); (M.Z.V.); (Z.T.)
| | - Zsolt Tulassay
- Second Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, H-1088 Budapest, Szentkirályi str. 46, H-1088, Hungary; E-Mails: (I.H.); (G.L.); (M.Z.V.); (Z.T.)
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