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Farhat T, Nahouli H, Hajjar M, Abdul-Sater Z, Kobeissi E, Menassa M, Chaya BF, Elamine A, El Sheikh WG, Tamim H, Hettiaratchy S, Abu-Sittah G. Characteristics of injuries during the 2006 Lebanon conflict: a three-center retrospective study of survivors, 16 years after the conflict. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1382514. [PMID: 38864014 PMCID: PMC11165059 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1382514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Armed conflict injury is a growing public health concern, particularly in regions like the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The protracted conflicts and political unrest in this region have led to a substantial number of injuries. Despite this, there is still limited understanding of the specific injury patterns stemming from conflicts, such as the 2006 Lebanon conflict. This study aimed to assess the characteristics and burdens of injuries resulting from this conflict, which occurred 16 years prior to this research. Methods This retrospective study analyzed data of individuals affected by the 2006 Lebanon conflict, across three tertiary care centers. Demographics, injuries, complications, injury management, and hospitalization expenses were extracted from medical records and analyzed using SPSS version 29.0. Categorical variables were presented as counts and proportions, and continuous variables as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Hospital comparisons utilized chi-square or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables, and one-way ANOVAs for continuous variables. Analysis was conducted from September to November 2023. Results Across three hospitals, 341 patients were studied, comprising 73.6% males and 26.4% females. Among them, a notable proportion (57.3% males and 34.1% females) fell within the 18-39 age range. Children and adolescents under 18 years accounted for 15.9% of males and 25.9% of females. Blast-related injuries predominated, with 24.5% resulting from direct damage caused by explosive parts and 33.3% from blast wave forces. Extremity trauma occurred in 49.0% of patients, and head/neck trauma in 24.9%. Common injuries, including penetrating, musculoskeletal, and traumatic brain injuries affected 34.9%, 31.1, and 10.0% of patients, respectively. Wound repair, fracture treatment, and debridement were the most performed procedures on 15.5, 13.5 and 9.7% of the patients, respectively. The total cost of care was USD 692,711, largely covered by the Ministry of Public Health (95.9%). Conclusion Conflict-related injuries significantly contribute to the global burden of disease. Therefore, there is a pressing need to improve national guidelines to prioritize life-threatening cases and potential long-term disabilities. Furthermore, enhancing electronic registry systems to collect clinical data on injured patients is essential for conducting research and better understanding the needs of conflict casualties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Farhat
- Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hasan Nahouli
- Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marwan Hajjar
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Zahi Abdul-Sater
- Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Elsa Kobeissi
- Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marilyne Menassa
- Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Bachar F. Chaya
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ahmad Elamine
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Walaa G. El Sheikh
- Clinical Research Institute, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hani Tamim
- Clinical Research Institute, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shehan Hettiaratchy
- Centre for Blast Injury Studies, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Shamieh O, Kutluk T, Fouad FM, Sullivan R, Mansour A. Editorial: Cancer care in areas of conflict. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1301552. [PMID: 38023225 PMCID: PMC10646180 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1301552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Omar Shamieh
- Center for Palliative & Cancer Care in Conflict (CPCCC), King Hussein Cancer Centre (KHCC), Amman, Jordan
- Department of Palliative Care, King Hussein Cancer Centre (KHCC), Amman, Jordan
- Faculty of Medicine, the University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Tezer Kutluk
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine and Cancer Institute, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Fouad M. Fouad
- Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, the American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Richard Sullivan
- Institute of Cancer Policy & Conflict & Health Research Group, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Asem Mansour
- Center for Palliative & Cancer Care in Conflict (CPCCC), King Hussein Cancer Centre (KHCC), Amman, Jordan
- Department of Radiology, King Hussein Cancer Centre (KHCC), Amman, Jordan
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Paik KE, Hicklen R, Kaggwa F, Puyat CV, Nakayama LF, Ong BA, Shropshire JNI, Villanueva C. Digital Determinants of Health: Health data poverty amplifies existing health disparities-A scoping review. PLOS DIGITAL HEALTH 2023; 2:e0000313. [PMID: 37824445 PMCID: PMC10569513 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have an immense potential to transform healthcare as already demonstrated in various medical specialties. This scoping review focuses on the factors that influence health data poverty, by conducting a literature review, analysis, and appraisal of results. Health data poverty is often an unseen factor which leads to perpetuating or exacerbating health disparities. Improvements or failures in addressing health data poverty will directly impact the effectiveness of AI/ML systems. The potential causes are complex and may enter anywhere along the development process. The initial results highlighted studies with common themes of health disparities (72%), AL/ML bias (28%) and biases in input data (18%). To properly evaluate disparities that exist we recommend a strengthened effort to generate unbiased equitable data, improved understanding of the limitations of AI/ML tools, and rigorous regulation with continuous monitoring of the clinical outcomes of deployed tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Eugene Paik
- MIT Critical Data, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Laboratory for Computational Physiology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Rachel Hicklen
- Research Medical Library, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Fred Kaggwa
- Department of Computer Science, Mbarara University of Science & Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | | | - Luis Filipe Nakayama
- MIT Critical Data, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology, São Paulo Federal University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bradley Ashley Ong
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | | | - Cleva Villanueva
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Mexico City, Mexico
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Mitwalli S, Hammoudeh W, Giacaman R, Harding R. Access to advanced cancer care services in the West Bank-occupied Palestinian territory. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1120783. [PMID: 37007067 PMCID: PMC10062449 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1120783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionUniversal Health Coverage (UHC) identifies the provision of palliative care for people with advanced disease as an essential health service. Palliative care is also stipulated as a human right under existing covenants. Oncology services provided by the Palestinian Authority under Israeli military occupation are limited to surgery and chemotherapy treatment. Our study aimed to describe the experiences of patients with advanced-stage cancer in the West Bank in accessing oncology services and meeting their health care needs.MethodologyWe conducted a qualitative study among adult patients diagnosed with advanced lung, colon, or breast cancer in three Palestinian governmental hospitals, and with oncologists. Thematic analysis was conducted on the verbatim interview transcripts.ResultsThe sample consisted of 22 Palestinian patients (10 men and 12 women) and 3 practicing oncologists. The findings reveal that cancer care is fragmented, with limited access to the services needed. Patients face referral delays in accessing treatment which worsen their health condition in some cases. Some patients reported difficulties in getting Israeli permits to access radiotherapy treatment in East-Jerusalem, and others experienced interruptions of their chemotherapy treatment sessions due to the unavailability of chemotherapy medications caused by Israeli-side delays. Other reported problems were related to the Palestinian health system and service delivery and quality, including fragmentation of services, infrastructure issues, and unavailability of medications. Advanced diagnostic services and palliative care are almost absent at Palestinian governmental hospitals, and patients need to seek these services in the private sector.ConclusionThe data demonstrate specific access restrictions to cancer care in the West Bank due to Israeli military occupation of Palestinian land. This affects all stages of the care pathway, from restricted diagnosis services, to limited treatment and then poor availability of palliative care. Cancer patients will continue to suffer if the root causes of these structural constraints are not addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzan Mitwalli
- Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, West Bank, Palestine
- *Correspondence: Suzan Mitwalli,
| | - Weeam Hammoudeh
- Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, West Bank, Palestine
| | - Rita Giacaman
- Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, West Bank, Palestine
| | - Richard Harding
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute, London, United Kingdom
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Sater ZA, Farhat T, Elsayed MN, Youssef Y, Husain M, Kaddoura M, Jaber L, Mukherji D, Taher A. The state of cancer research in fragile and conflict-affected settings in the Middle East and North Africa Region: A bibliometric analysis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1083836. [PMID: 37035214 PMCID: PMC10076849 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1083836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer represents a disproportionate burden in LMICs, especially conflict-affected countries in the MENA region. Research output on cancer fails to match the growing burden in the region. This bibliometric study aims to examine the status and trends of cancer research in fragile and conflict-affected settings in the MENA region from 2000 to 2021, while also incorporating economic and demographic indicators as additional factors of analysis. Methods The Web of Science databases were searched for publications related to cancer research in Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syria, and Yemen from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2021. The retrieved publications were screened based on preset eligibility criteria and the final list was analyzed using the Bibliometrix Package in R to generate the annual scientific production and citations, journals, institutions, authors, collaborations, keywords, and title co-occurrence. Each country's annual scientific production was analyzed against its annual GDP per capita. Results A total of 4,280 documents met the inclusion criteria in this research. The annual number of publications revealed a significant increase over the past 20 years. These publications were mostly published in international journals that had impact factors rated in the 3rd or 4th quartiles. The overall contribution of researchers from Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings (FCS) to cancer research was 6.5% of the MENA cancer research productivity, despite comprising around 23% of the total MENA region's population. Lebanon had the highest publication productivity at the country level, followed by Iraq and Syria. GDP per capita was not significantly correlated with cancer research across the countries under investigation. At the institutional level, the American University of Beirut was the most prolific institution and had the highest number of collaborations and the widest range of cooperative partners. Most first authors were male researchers. There is an interest in cancer expression, prevalence, diagnosis, and management in terms of commonly researched topics. Conclusion This study underscores the need for a concerted effort to improve cancer research outcomes in FCS, which can be achieved through targeted research, increased investment in research infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives, and greater regional and global collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahi Abdul Sater
- Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Theresa Farhat
- Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Yara Youssef
- College of Public Health, Phoenicia University, Mazraat El Daoudiyeh, Lebanon
| | - Marium Husain
- Department of Internal Medicine, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Ohio, United States
| | - Malak Kaddoura
- Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Lubna Jaber
- Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Deborah Mukherji
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ali Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- *Correspondence: Ali Taher,
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Safiri S, Noori M, Nejadghaderi SA, Sullman MJM, Bragazzi NL, Almasi-Hashiani A, Mansournia MA, Kolahi AA. Burden of female breast cancer in the Middle East and North Africa region, 1990–2019. Arch Public Health 2022; 80:168. [PMID: 35818086 PMCID: PMC9272597 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-022-00918-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is no region-specific publication investigating the attributable burden of breast cancer, particularly among females. This article reported the burden of female breast cancer in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and its attributable risk factors between 1990 and 2019, by age, sex, and socio-demographic index (SDI). Methods Publicly available data on the incidence, death and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study for the 21 countries and territories in MENA, between 1990 and 2019, along with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). The relationship between the burden of female breast cancer, in terms of DALYs, and the SDI were also assessed using Smoothing Spline models. Results In 2019, the regional age-standardised incidence and death rates of female breast cancer were 37.5 and 15.2 per 100,000, which represent a 90.9 and 24.0% increase since 1990, respectively. In addition, in 2019 the regional age-standardised DALY rate was 472.7 per 100,000, which was 19.5% higher than in 1990. In 2019, the death rate increased steadily with advancing age, while the DALY rate increased steeply with age and reached its peak in the 70–74 age group. There was a positive association between SDI and the burden of breast cancer over the period 1990 to 2019. Moreover, in 2019 high fasting plasma glucose (6.9%) contributed to the largest proportion of attributable DALYs for female breast cancer in the MENA region. Conclusions There was a significant increase in the incidence rate of female breast cancer in MENA over the past three decades, although the death and DALY rates were both largely unchanged. Preventive programs targeting the major risk factors should be implemented in the region. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13690-022-00918-y.
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Caglevic C, Rolfo C, Gil-Bazo I, Cardona A, Sapunar J, Hirsch FR, Gandara DR, Morgan G, Novello S, Garassino MC, Mountzios G, Leighl NB, Bretel D, Arrieta O, Addeo A, Liu SV, Corrales L, Subbiah V, Aboitiz F, Villarroel-Espindola F, Reyes-Cosmelli F, Morales R, Mahave M, Raez L, Alatorre J, Santos E, Ubillos L, Tan DS, Zielinski C. The Armed Conflict and the Impact on Patients With Cancer in Ukraine: Urgent Considerations. JCO Glob Oncol 2022; 8:e2200123. [PMID: 35994695 PMCID: PMC9470147 DOI: 10.1200/go.22.00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
On February 24, 2022, a war began within the Ukrainian borders. At least 3.0 million Ukrainian inhabitants have already fled the country. Critical infrastructure, including hospitals, has been damaged. Children with cancer were urgently transported to foreign countries, in an effort to minimize interruption of their life-saving treatments. Most adults did not have that option. War breeds cancer—delaying diagnosis, preventing treatment, and increasing risk. We project that a modest delay in care of only 4 months for five prevalent types of cancer will lead to an excess of over 3,600 cancer deaths in the subsequent years. It is critical that we establish plans to mitigate that risk as soon as possible. Ukraine conflict may cost 3600 lives or more because of a delay and lack of access for patients with cancer.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Caglevic
- Cancer Research Department, Instituto Oncologico Fundacion Arturo Lopez Perez, Santiago, Chile
- Clinical Trials Unit, Instituto Oncologico Fundacion Arturo Lopez Perez, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christian Rolfo
- Clinical Research Center for Thoracic Oncology, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | | | - Andrés Cardona
- Luis Carlos Sarmiento Angulo Cancer Treatment and Research Center—CTIC, ONCOLGroup/FICMAC, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Jorge Sapunar
- Cancer Research Department, Instituto Oncologico Fundacion Arturo Lopez Perez, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fred R. Hirsch
- Center for Thoracic Oncology. Mount Sinai Cancer, Mount Sinai Health System, Icahn School of Medicine, Joe Lowe and Louis Price Professor of Medicine, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY
| | - David R. Gandara
- Center for Experimental Therapeutics in Cancer, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Translational and Clinical Research Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, International Society of Liquid Biopsy, Sacramento, CA
| | - Gilberto Morgan
- Skåne University Hospital, Department of Oncology, Lund, Sweden
| | - Silvia Novello
- Oncology Department, AOU San Luigi, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Giannis Mountzios
- 4th Oncology Department and Clinical Trials Unit Henry Dunant Hospital Center, Athens, Greece
| | - Natasha B. Leighl
- Medical Oncology Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, IHPME, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Oscar Arrieta
- Toracic Oncology Unit, Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alfredo Addeo
- Oncology department, University Hospital Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stephen V. Liu
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center of Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Luis Corrales
- Centro de Investigación y Manejo del Cáncer (CIMCA), San José, Costa Rica
| | - Vivek Subbiah
- Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Medicine, Medical Oncology Research, MD Anderson Cancer Network, Clinical Center For Targeted Therapy, Division of Pediatrics UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Francisco Aboitiz
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Felipe Reyes-Cosmelli
- Clinical Trials Unit, Instituto Oncologico Fundacion Arturo Lopez Perez, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ricardo Morales
- Cancer Research Department, Instituto Oncologico Fundacion Arturo Lopez Perez, Santiago, Chile
- Clinical Trials Unit, Instituto Oncologico Fundacion Arturo Lopez Perez, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mauricio Mahave
- Cancer Research Department, Instituto Oncologico Fundacion Arturo Lopez Perez, Santiago, Chile
- Clinical Trials Unit, Instituto Oncologico Fundacion Arturo Lopez Perez, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis Raez
- Memorial Cancer Institute/Memorial Health Care System, MCIFAU Florida Cancer Center of Excellence, Florida International University, Miami, FL
| | - Jorge Alatorre
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias (INER) Clínica de Oncología Torácica, México D.F., Mexico
| | - Edgardo Santos
- Florida Precision Oncology/a Division of Genesis Care USA, Research Services Thoracic and Head/Neck Cancer Programs Clinical, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
| | - Luis Ubillos
- Instituto Nacional del Cancer, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Daniel S.W. Tan
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Christoph Zielinski
- Central European Cancer Center, Wiener Privatklinik, Vienna, and Central European Cooperative Oncology Group, HQ, Vienna, Austria
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