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Esteban Porcar A, García Gómez M, Santana Yllobre L, Gómez Pajares F, Esteban Buedo V, Usó Talamantes R. [Reconocimiento del mesotelioma de pleura como enfermedad profesional en la Comunidad Valenciana de 2012 a 2018.]. Rev Esp Salud Publica 2023; 97:e202309074. [PMID: 37921373 PMCID: PMC10541252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pleural mesothelioma is a neoplasm almost exclusively attributed to occupational exposure to asbestos and is legally considered an occupational disease. Nevertheless, only a few cases achieve that official recognition. The objective of this work was to describe and analyse this issue, and to identify the major obstacles to its recognition. METHODS A descriptive and retrospective epidemiological study of data was carried out, including figures and some characteristics, of all patients with pleural mesothelioma registered in the official health and labor registries of the Valencian Community from 2012 to 2018, using frequencies, proportions, and incidence rates. RESULTS There were large differences between the two sets of data collected in the different registries, especially regarding the number of cases. During the seven years of data examined, 590 pleural mesotheliomas were diagnosed in the Valencian public health system. Of these, the number of cases that were related to occupational exposure was at least 437. Despite the legal duty of doctors to report such cases, only 31 were reported as suspected occupational disease (7.09%), of which only 13 were ultimately officially recognized as such. It was estimated that the annual economic overcost to the public system of unrecognised patients with this occupational disease by was 2,2270,520 euros. CONCLUSIONS Only a small proportion of occupational mesotheliomas are officially recognized as such. This has important health care and economic repercussions for the individuals involved as well as for the public health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreu Esteban Porcar
- Conselleria de Sanidad Universal y Salud Pública; Comunidad Valenciana Comunidad ValencianaValenciaSpain
| | | | - Lin Santana Yllobre
- Conselleria de Sanidad Universal y Salud Pública; Comunidad Valenciana Comunidad ValencianaValenciaSpain
| | - Fernando Gómez Pajares
- Facultad de Medicina y Odontología; Universidad Católica de ValenciaUniversidad Católica de ValenciaValenciaSpain
| | - Valentín Esteban Buedo
- Conselleria de Sanidad Universal y Salud Pública; Comunidad Valenciana Comunidad ValencianaValenciaSpain
| | - Ruth Usó Talamantes
- Facultad de Medicina y Odontología; Universidad Católica de ValenciaUniversidad Católica de ValenciaValenciaSpain
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Cheng Y, Huang YL, Lee LJH. Explaining the Invisibility of Asbestos-Related Diseases in the Taiwan Workers' Compensation System. New Solut 2022; 32:106-118. [PMID: 35275014 DOI: 10.1177/10482911221084382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Occupational asbestos exposure was prevalent in Taiwan, but asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) have rarely been recognized. We conducted in-depth face-to-face interviews with 16 patients with ARDs. All of them had worked in industries known for high asbestos exposure. However, only three patients had filed workers' compensation (WC) claims, and of them, only two patients were approved. Reasons for the low compensation rate of ARDs could be divided into institutional barriers related to the flaws of the WC system and non-institutional barriers related to the knowledge status, causal interpretation, and social situations of individual workers. The Labor Occupational Accident Insurance and Protection Act passed in April 2021 has responded to the under-compensation of occupational diseases. However, the new act's effects toward improving the recognition of ARDs remain questionable. Our findings indicated that additional efforts are needed to remove non-institutional barriers hindering workers' ability to ensure their compensation rights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Cheng
- Institute of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, 63205National Taiwan University, Taipei.,Taiwan Occupational Safety and Health Link, Taipei
| | | | - Lukas Jyuhn-Hsiarn Lee
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 50115National Health Research Institutes, Miao-Li.,Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei.,Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei
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Survival of Korean Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Compensated for the Asbestos Injury Relief. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11209713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the epidemiologic characteristics and prognostic factors for malignant pleural mesothelioma in Korea, which are currently insufficient. The data were derived from malignant mesothelioma patients who registered under the Asbestos Injury Relief Act; Methods: A total of 728 patients received compensation from the Asbestos Injury Relief Act due to malignant mesothelioma between 2011 and 2015. Of these, 313 patients (43.0%) with malignant pleural mesothelioma were included in the study. The study variables were sex (male, female), age at diagnosis (<59, 60–69, ≥70), smoking history (yes, no), surgery (yes, no), chemotherapy (yes, no), occupational exposure to asbestos (yes, no), and histological subtype (epithelioid, nonepithelioid); Results: Median survival of mesothelioma was 8.0 months (95% confidence interval: 6.2 to 9.8). The 1-year, 2-year, and 5-year survival rates (%) were 43.5%, 23.6%, and 12.5%, respectively. In multivariate analysis of Cox’s proportional hazards model; sex, age, smoking history, occupational asbestos exposure, and histological subtype were not significant prognostic factors, but surgery and chemotherapy combined was a significant predictor; Conclusions: Although the representativeness of these data is limited, our study estimates the epidemiologic characteristics of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Non-occupational exposure had a similar prognosis to occupational asbestos exposure, and there was no sex difference. In addition, it was found that receiving a combination of surgery and chemotherapy affects the survival rate, but there is a limitation in that factors such as performance status, comorbidities, and stage that contribute to survival are not considered.
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Standardized Incidence Ratio and Standardized Mortality Ratio of Malignant Mesothelioma in a Worker Cohort Using Employment Insurance Database in Korea. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182010682. [PMID: 34682428 PMCID: PMC8535247 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma is one of the appropriate indicators for assessing the carcinogenic effects of asbestos. This study compared the risk ratio of mesothelioma according to the industry in the worker cohort. A cohort was constructed using the Korean employment insurance system during 1995–2017, enrolling 13,285,895 men and 10,452,705 women. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and standardized incidence ratio (SIR) were calculated using the indirect standardization method. There were 641 malignant mesotheliomas that occurred; the SIR was significantly higher than the general population (men 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24–1.48, women 1.44, 95% CI: 1.23–1.7). More than half (52.8%) of malignant mesothelioma cases occurred in the manufacturing (n = 240, 38.6%, SIR: men, 1.72, 95% CI: 1.37–2.15, women, 3.31, 95% CI: 1.71–5.79) and construction industries (n = 88, 14.2%, SIR: men, 1.54 95% CI: 1.33–1.78, women, 1.62 95% CI: 1.25–2.11). The accommodation and food service (men, 2.56 95% CI: 1.28–4.58, women 1.35, 95% CI: 0.65–2.48) and real estate (men 1.34, 95% CI: 0.98–1.83, women 1.95, 95% CI: 0.78–4.02) also showed a high SIR, indicating the risk of asbestos-containing materials in old buildings. The incidence of malignant mesothelioma is likely to increase in the future, given the long latency of this disease. Moreover, long-term follow-up studies will be needed.
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The Epidemiologic Characteristics of Malignant Mesothelioma Cases in Korea: Findings of the Asbestos Injury Relief System from 2011-2015. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph181910007. [PMID: 34639307 PMCID: PMC8508037 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of malignant mesothelioma in Korea by investigating cases compensated under the asbestos injury relief system. (2) Methods: A total of 407 compensated cases between 2011 and 2015 were reviewed using medical records and resident registrations in order to investigate the dates of diagnosis and death. Asbestos exposure and patients’ general characteristics were investigated through face-to-face interviews. The standardized incidence ratio was calculated as the number of observations from 2005 to 2014 per exposure region in Korea, using the mid-annual population of each region in 2009 as the standard population. (3) Results: Among the 407 cases, 65.1% were male. The pleura and peritoneum were affected in 76.9% and 23.1% of cases, respectively. For peritoneal mesothelioma, the median survival duration was longer (p = 0.005), and the proportion of affected women was higher than that in pleural mesothelioma. The standardized incidence ratio (95% CI) by province of primary exposure was Chungnam 3.33 (2.51–4.35), Ulsan 1.85 (0.97–3.21), and Seoul 1.32 (1.06–1.63). (4) Conclusions: Although the representativeness of the data is limited, it is sufficient to assume the epidemiologic characteristics of malignant mesothelioma, help improve the compensation system, and contribute to future policies.
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Dutheil F, Zaragoza-Civale L, Pereira B, Mermillod M, Baker JS, Schmidt J, Moustafa F, Navel V. Prostate Cancer and Asbestos: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Perm J 2020; 24:19.086. [PMID: 32097115 DOI: 10.7812/tpp/19.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Asbestos-related diseases and cancers represent a major public health concern. OBJECTIVE To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to demonstrate that asbestos exposure increases the risk of prostate cancer. METHODS The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and ScienceDirect databases were searched using the keywords (prostate cancer OR prostatic neoplasm) AND (asbestos* OR crocidolite* OR chrysotile* OR amphibole* OR amosite*). To be included, articles needed to describe our primary outcome: Risk of prostate cancer after any asbestos exposure. RESULTS We included 33 studies with 15,687 cases of prostate cancer among 723,566 individuals. Asbestos exposure increased the risk of prostate cancer (effect size = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-1.15). When we considered mode of absorption, respiratory inhalation increased the risk of prostate cancer (1.10, 95% CI = 1.05-1.14). Both environmental and occupational exposure increased the risk of prostate cancer (1.25, 95% CI = 1.01-1.48; and 1.07, 1.04-1.10, respectively). For type of fibers, the amosite group had an increased risk of prostate cancer (1.12, 95% CI = 1.05-1.19), and there were no significant results for the chrysotile/crocidolite group. The risk was higher in Europe (1.12, 95% CI = 1.05-1.19), without significant results in other continents. DISCUSSION Asbestos exposure seems to increase prostate cancer risk. The main mechanism of absorption was respiratory. Both environmental and occupational asbestos exposure were linked to increased risk of prostate cancer. CONCLUSION Patients who were exposed to asbestos should possibly be encouraged to complete more frequent prostate cancer screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Dutheil
- Physiological and Psychosocial Stress, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, LaPSCo, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand, Occupational and Preventive Medicine, WittyFit, France.,Faculty of Health, School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria
| | - Laetitia Zaragoza-Civale
- Occupational and Preventive Medicine, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Bruno Pereira
- Biostatistics Unit, the Clinical Research and Innovation Direction, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Martial Mermillod
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université, Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LPNC, Grenoble.,Institut Universitaire de France, Paris
| | - Julien S Baker
- Department of Sport, Physical Education, and Health, Centre for Health and Exercise Science Research, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong
| | - Jeannot Schmidt
- Physiological and Psychosocial Stress, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, LaPSCo, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Emergency Medicine, University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Fares Moustafa
- Emergency Medicine, Université Clermont Auvergne, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Valentin Navel
- Ophthalmology, Université Clermont Auvergne, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Vimercati L, Cavone D, Caputi A, Delfino MC, De Maria L, Ferri GM, Serio G. Malignant mesothelioma in construction workers: the Apulia regional mesothelioma register, Southern Italy. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12:636. [PMID: 31564247 PMCID: PMC6767638 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4675-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Asbestos was widely used in construction in both a friable and a compact form until the 1990s, before its use was banned. Today, many of these materials are still in situ and represent a source of risk for construction workers. The objective of the study was to analyse the cases of mesothelioma arising among construction workers registered in the Apulia regional register of mesothelioma. Results For the period 1993–2018, there were 178 male cases, and 10.2% of the cases were present in the regional register. The average age at diagnosis was 64.7 years. The site was pleural in 96.06% of cases, with a diagnosis of certainty in 86.5% of the total cases and 61.8% of cases with epithelial histology. The average latency is 43.9 years. In 75.2% of cases, the exposure began between 1941 and 1970, with an average duration of 24.3 years. The age at the start of exposure in 68.5% of cases is between 8 and 20 years. The ORs were 2.5 (C.I. 95% 1.01–6.17) for the epithelioid histotype and the high duration of exposure. The data underline the need for prevention and information on all activities involving construction workers in which asbestos-containing materials are still used.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Vimercati
- School of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Ramazzini Occupational Medicine Section, "Policlinico" University Hospital, UOC of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari "A. Moro", Piazza G, Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - D Cavone
- School of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Ramazzini Occupational Medicine Section, "Policlinico" University Hospital, UOC of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari "A. Moro", Piazza G, Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - A Caputi
- School of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Ramazzini Occupational Medicine Section, "Policlinico" University Hospital, UOC of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari "A. Moro", Piazza G, Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - M C Delfino
- School of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Ramazzini Occupational Medicine Section, "Policlinico" University Hospital, UOC of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari "A. Moro", Piazza G, Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - L De Maria
- School of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Ramazzini Occupational Medicine Section, "Policlinico" University Hospital, UOC of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari "A. Moro", Piazza G, Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - G M Ferri
- School of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Ramazzini Occupational Medicine Section, "Policlinico" University Hospital, UOC of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari "A. Moro", Piazza G, Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - G Serio
- School of Medicine, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), Division of Pathology, University of Bari "A. Moro", Piazza G, Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
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