Economic burden of lung cancer in Morocco: A cost of illness study

INTRODUCTION

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in men and the second most common cancer in women. It is associated with substantial economic impact in terms of direct and indirect costs. The main objective of this study is to estimate the direct medical cost of lung cancer management in Morocco MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cost-of-illness study was conducted among patients treated at the Mohammed VI Center of Cancer (Casablanca) in 2019. The costs were estimated from the societal perspective using a bottom-up approach. The materials and procedures used were identified and quantified retrospectively from the information system and files. Their monetary value was calculated according to official prices published by the national health insurance agency. The horizon time adopted was 12 months.

RESULTS

The study included 271 patients, with an average age of 62.5 ± 9.5 years. Of these, 93.4 % were men and 92.1 % were former smokers. In terms of cancer staging, 68.3 % of patients were in stage IV while 28.8 % were in stage III. Adenocarcinoma was present in 43.5 % of cases. Patients underwent an average of 10.6 ± 5.1 radiological investigations, 56.1 ± 30.9 biological tests, and 24.1 ± 11.7 consultations. The average direct medical cost was 4455.3 USD (95 % CI: 4037.4-4873.2). Chemotherapy accounted for 19.9 % of the total cost, while radiological investigations and drugs accounted for 18.7 % and 17.6 %, respectively. Diagnostic tests and radiotherapy each accounted for 7.6 % of the total cost, while biological tests accounted for 7.5 % and hospitalizations accounted for 7.1 %. The cost was statistically higher in young patients (p = 0.017), in patients with adenocarcinoma (p < 0.0001), in patients with stage II tumor (< 0.00001), in patients who have undergone surgery (p = 0.002), chemotherapy (p < 0.0001), radiotherapy (p < 0.001) and in those without metastases (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

These results provide evidence to support the ratification of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the full adherence of the Kingdom of Morocco to the MPOWER measures.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Moroccan version of the Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 (GQL-15) questionnaire in patients with glaucoma

BACKGROUND

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. In addition, visual impairment and psychological strain have been shown to have a significant impact on quality of life (QoL) in glaucoma patients. Maintaining the quality of life of glaucoma patients has become an important component of treatment. The goal of this study is to develop a Moroccan Arabic dialect version of the Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 questionnaire and to examine its psychometric properties.

METHODS

The Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 questionnaire was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Moroccan Arabic dialect and administered to glaucoma patients recruited from the ophthalmology department of the Omar Drissi Hospital, Hassan II University Hospital, Fez. Sociodemographic and other clinical data were collected. Psychometric properties were performed, including internal consistency, which was tested using Cronbach's alpha (α), test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Construct validity was assessed by examining the convergent and divergent validity of items.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was administered to 148 patients with a mean age of 60.91 ± 15.10 years. Over half of the patients were female (58.1%), patients were married (77.7%), illiterate (62.2%) and unemployed (82.3%). The majority of patients had primary open angle glaucoma (68.9%). The mean time to complete the GQL-15 was 3.26±0.51min. The mean summary score for the GQL-15 was 39.50±16.76. Cronbach's alpha for the entire scale was 0.95 (central and near vision 0.58; peripheral vision 0.94; glare and dark adaptation 0.87).

CONCLUSION

The Moroccan Arabic dialect version of the GQL-15 demonstrates adequate reliability and validity. Therefore, this version could be used as a reliable and valid tool for quality-of-life assessment in Moroccan glaucoma patients.

[Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on diabetic macular edema and prognostic factors]

But

Décrire le retentissement sur l’acuité visuelle et l’épaisseur centromaculaire après arrêt des injections intravitréennes d’anti-VEGF chez les patients diabétiques marocains au cours de la pandémie du Coronavirus. Et étudier les facteurs pouvant être associés à l’aggravation.

Matériel et méthodes

Cette étude transversale monocentrique a inclus les patients programmés pour injections intravitréennes de Bevacizumab au cours de la période du confinement (20 mars 2020–20 mai 2020) et qui n’en ont pas bénéficié. Ont été recueillis : l’âge, le sexe, l’ancienneté du diabète, le nombre d’injections reçues avant le confinement, l’acuité visuelle en pré-confinement et post-confinement ainsi que l’épaisseur centromaculaire pré-confinement et post-confinement.

Résultats

Cent cinquante quatre yeux de 104 patients ont été analysés. 57,8 % étaient des hommes avec une moyenne d’âge de 59,4 ± 9,04 ans. La durée moyenne d’arrêt des injections intravitréennes est de 57,3 ± 6,7 jours. Le nombre moyen d’injections intravitréennes de Bevacizumab reçues avant le confinement a été estimé à 2,29 ± 2,1. L’aggravation de l’acuité visuelle a été notée chez 44,8 % de nos patients. Les facteurs associés à l’aggravation fonctionnelle sont le faible nombre d’injections intravitréennes de Bevacizumab reçues avant le confinement (p = 0,001) ainsi que le déséquilibre diabétique (p = 0,04). L’aggravation structurelle a été constatée chez 26,6 % des patients et elle était associée au faible nombre d’injections réalisées avant le confinement (p = 0,038).

Conclusion

Le report des injections intravitréennes au cours du confinement a eu des effets négatifs sur l’acuité visuelle et l’épaisseur centromaculaire des yeux avec OMD. Un report prolongé des injections intravitréennes d’anti-VEGF chez les patients diabétiques doit être évité.

Attitude and Practice of Breast Self-Examination in Women in Morocco

Background: Breast cancer is characterized in Morocco, by the delay in diagnosis, with a high rate of metastatic extension which leads to the difficulty of treatment and an increasement of mortality. It is often the woman who detects breast abnormalities through self-examination. Self-examination alone does not diagnose the breast cancer. Despite it is accessible method in developing countries because it is easy, convenient, private, safe and requires no specific equipment. Aim: The objective was to study the practice of breast self-examination in women in Morocco. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study that was conducted in July 2011 based on early detection programs in basic health centers. A total of 1444 women aged from 17 to 86 years were included on the eligibility basis for early detection of breast and cervical cancer in Morocco. For each participant we collected sociodemographic data, information on breast cancer factors, data on the level of knowledge of breast cancer, and information on breast self-examination practice. Results: The average age was 41 years old. The information on breast self-examination came mainly from the media (57, 28%). The practice of the breast self-examination in 56.9%. In our study population, we had 76.6% multiparous, 7.8% nulliparous and 15.6% primiparous. Among the 36 participants, 3% were illiterate, 23% had primary education, 26.4% secondary education and 201 (14%) had a higher education level. The breast self-examination practice was associated with participants´ level of education (OR = 1.69) ( P = 0.000). Membership in the different age groups had no effect on the practice of breast self-examination ( P = 0.182). Conclusion: It is imperative to increase awareness of the practice of breast self-examination and its methods through health education campaigns.

Estimating attributable fraction of lung cancer linked to smoking in Morocco

The objective of this research was to estimate the attributable fraction (AF) of lung cancer linked to smoking in Morocco. The estimation was based on the SAMMEC (Adult Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity and Economic Costs) method based on the Levin formula to calculate AF linked to tobacco. Data about frequencies, association measures and relative risks were taken from available sources. The AF of lung cancer linked to smoking was about 87%, and around 3049 cases of this cancer in men could be avoided if tobacco use could be prevented. About a 10% reduction in smoking prevalence would result in a reduction of 346 lung cancer cases. Our study provides additional important elements for further advocacy to policy-makers to implement a tobacco control strategy based on a prevention policy in line with the epidemiological situation which could avoid a huge burden on the country.

Using surveillance data to understand cancer trends: an overview in Morocco

BACKGROUND

The aim was to use the existing surveillance data sources of cancer in Morocco that could be used to better describe cancer mortality and incidence trends in Morocco.

METHODS

National incidence data were derived from population-based cancer registries. Mortality data were collected from the international GLOBOCAN database.

RESULTS

An overview of the main results was presented. In general, the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men are lung and prostates whereas in women, breast and cervical cancers are the pre-dominant cancers. Fifty nine percent and of breast and 65.7 % of cervical cancers in women are diagnosed at stages II and III. Cancer remains the second highest cause of mortality in Morocco.

CONCLUSION

The data provides a description of the cancer incidence and trends in the Moroccan population. The Moroccan national cancer program should aim for more coherent, consistent and comparable incidence data between different cancer registries in the country, and develop uniform datasets with respect to quality.

[Intraprostatic calcifications as natural fiducial markers in image-guided radiotherapy for prostate cancer]

PURPOSE

To establish whether intraprostatic calcifications can serve as natural fiducials for image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), replacing the implantation of intraprostatic fiducial markers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with prostate cancer, having intraprostatic calcifications visible on CT scan were selected and underwent intensity-modulated radiotherapy/3D conformal radiotherapy with IGRT in the department of radiotherapy of Henri-Mondor Hospital. All cone-beam computed tomographies (CBCT) were repositioned on intraprostatic calcifications. For each acquired image, displacements of intraprostatic calcifications were calculated with reference to position on planning CT in three directions: lateral, longitudinal and vertical.

RESULTS

Between 2011 and 2013, nine patients had 183 CBCT. For each image, three displacements and space coordinates were calculated using a single reference (intraprostatic calcification). Mean lateral, longitudinal and vertical movements were 0.26±5.7 mm, -1±4.6 mm and 0.42±3.5 mm, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Studies exploring prostatic movements with fiducial markers as reference and ours with natural fiducials yield similar results. Our data confirm previous studies that have suggested that intraprostatic calcifications can be used as natural fiducials with potential reduction of iatrogenic risks and costs associated with the implantation of fiducial markers.

[Assessment of the methodological quality of theses submitted to the Faculty of Medicine Fez]

A thesis in medicine is a scientific work which allows a medical student to acquire a Doctor of Medicine degree. It is therefore recommended that theses presented by students fulfill essential methodological criteria in order to obtain scientifically credible results and recommendations. The aim of this study was to assess the methodology of thesis presented to the Faculty of Medicine in Fez in 2008. We developed an evaluation table containing questions on the different sections of the IMRAD structure on which these theses were based and we estimated the proportion of theses that conformed to each criterion. There were 160 theses on various specialties presented in 2008. The majority of the theses (79.3%) were case series. Research questions were clearly expressed in 62.0% but the primary objectives were pertinent in only 52.0%. Our study shows that there were important deficiencies in the methodological rigor of the theses and very little representation of the theses in publications.

Factors associated with treatment default by tuberculosis patients in Fez, Morocco

Interruption in tuberculosis (TB) treatment still remains the most important challenge for control of the disease. This study aimed to identify the determinants of TB treatment default in Fez, Morocco. A 1:2 pair-matched case-control study was carried out in the TB control units in Fez. Cases were defaulters to TB treatment and were matched by age and sex to non-defaulters (controls). Of the 320 patients (108 defaulters, 212 controls), 80.6% were male. The main reason for defaulting reported by patients was the sensation of being cured. Predictive factors for treatment default in the multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis, were: relapsed case (adjusted OR = 4.49; 95% Cl: 1.87-10.8), current smoking (aOR= 2.10; 95% Cl: 1.07-4.14), alcohol use (aOR = 2.92; 95% Cl: 1.04-8.19), being more than 30 minutes away from the health centre (aOR = 3.34; 95% Cl: 1.06-10.5) and perception of having received insufficient explanation about the disease (aOR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.53-5.36). The rate of defaulting in Fez can be lowered through targeted and realistic measures.

First data on direct costs of lung cancer management in Morocco

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality. Its management has a significant economic impact on society. Despite a high incidence of cancer, so far, there is no national register for this disease in Morocco. The main goal of this report was to estimate the medical costs of lung cancer in our country.

METHODS

We first estimated the number of annual new cases according to stage of the disease on the basis of the Grand-Casablanca-Region Cancer Registry data. For each sub-group, the protocol of treatment was described taking into account the international guidelines, and an evaluation of individual costs during the first year following diagnosis was made. Extrapolation of the results to the whole country was used to calculate the total annual cost of treatments for lung cancer in Morocco.

RESULTS

Overall approximately 3,500 new cases of lung cancer occur each year in the country. Stages I and II account for only 4% of cases, while 96% are diagnosed at locally advanced or metastatic stages III and IV. The total medical cost of lung cancer in Morocco is estimated to be around USD 12 million. This cost represents approximately 1% of the global budget of the Health Department. According to AROME Guidelines, about 86% of the newly diagnosed lung cancer cases needed palliative treatment while 14% required curative intent therapy. The total cost of early and advanced stages lung cancer management during the first year were estimated to be 4,600 and 3,420 USD, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study provides health decision-makers with a first estimate of costs and the opportunity to achieve the optimal use of available data to estimate the needs of health facilities in Morocco. A substantial proportion of the burden of lung cancer could be prevented through the application of existing cancer control knowledge and by implementing tobacco control programs.

Knowledge and attitude about antismoking legislation in Morocco according to smoking status

Despite tobacco control legislation enacted in Morocco in 1996, the Moroccan population appears to have little interest in or awareness of tobacco control measures. This household survey aimed to assess sectional study was conducted on a random sample of 9195 Moroccans. Only 33.3% knew about the antismoking legislation: 38.7% of smokers versus 32.3% of non-smokers. Among the 3050 people who knew about the law, 60.1% knew about the ban on smoking in public areas and 22.4% knew there was an obligatory health warning on tobacco packaging. The attitude questions showed that 27.2% agreed that the price of tobacco products should increase sharply and 45.0% that antismoking legislation should prohibit tobacco sales to children. These data demonstrate low levels of information among Moroccans concerning current tobacco control legislation.

Burden of smoking in Moroccan rural areas

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of current smoking among rural Moroccans. The population study included 3438 individuals aged 15 years and above from both sexes. The crude prevalence of current smoking (currently smoked and had smoked > 100 cigarettes in lifetime) was 16.9% in the adolescent and adult rural population: 31.0% among men and 1.1% among women. The majority of smokers 74.4% of men and 68.8% of women) began smoking before age 20 years. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age, sex, marital status, occupation and region of residence were the strongest determinants of current smoking. These results showed a high prevalence of smoking among males in the rural population of Morocco.

Inequalities in smoking profiles in Morocco: the role of educational level

BACKGROUND

Cigarette smoking is increasingly associated with lower socio-economic status, indicated by lower educational levels. This association has never been investigated in Morocco.

OBJECTIVE

The MARTA survey was undertaken to assess tobacco use in the Moroccan population according to level of education and other socio-demographic characteristics.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey based on a representative sample of the Moroccan population was conducted in 2005-2006. The survey questionnaire gathered socio-demographic information, educational level and smoking status. chi(2) analyses were performed to determine whether the smoking outcome variables differed significantly between different educational levels in relation to demographic variables. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the adjusted odds ratio for smoking status according to educational level.

RESULTS

A total of 9195 subjects were included in the study; 52% were men and 17.9% illiterate. The overall prevalence of current smoking was 18.0% (95%CI 17.2-18.8): 31.5% (95%CI 30.2-32.9) in males and 3.3% (95%CI 2.8-3.8) in females. The prevalence of current smoking was inversely associated with level of education in men and increased with educational level in women. Illiterate males tended to have a higher probability of being current smokers than males with university-level education (OR 1.93, 95%CI 1.51-2.46).

CONCLUSION

These results indicate a need for tobacco control to reach all sectors of society, and especially the illiterate population.

[Prevalence and risk factors for nosocomial infections in Hassan II University Hospital, Fes, Morocco]

We determined the prevalence and risk factors for nosocomial infection at Hassan II University Hospital and the causative microorganisms among 282 inpatients. The mean duration of hospitalization was 16.4 (SD = 15) days. The prevalence of nosocomial infection was 6.7%. Infections at the site of the operation were the commonest. No catheter-related infection was noted. The main organisms isolated were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans. The occurrence of a nosocomial infection was significantly associated with surgical operation (P = 0.005), presence of urinary catheter (P = 0.002) and length of hospital stay greater than 3 weeks (P = 0.04).

Validation of the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire in patients with COPD or asthma in Morocco

SETTING

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are a public health problem in Morocco. Their evaluation should be supplemented by quality of life measurement, but there is no specific instrument available in local Moroccan Arabic.

OBJECTIVE

To validate a Moroccan Arabic version of the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) in patients with COPD or asthma in Morocco.

DESIGN

After a rigorous translation process of the SGRQ into local Moroccan Arabic (SGRQm), the SGRQm, spirometry, Fletcher scale and a visual analogical scale (VAS) were administered to each patient at recruitment. Data were used to examine the construct validity and reliability of the SGRQm. To examine the test-retest reliability, patients completed the SGRQm a second time 10 days later.

RESULTS

A total of 131 patients with a mean age of 52 years were recruited into the study. Patients had a mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of 1.70 1 and a mean VAS of 51.5 mm. Internal consistency of symptoms, activity and impact components was assessed using Cronbach's alpha (a) reliability coefficient; they were 0.94, 0.91 and 0.90, respectively. The test-retest reliability of components scores ranged from 0.70 to 0.87. The Fletcher scale correlated with all SGRQm scores, while the VAS had a similar correlation except with symptoms (P > 0.05). FEV1 values were negatively correlated with all SGRQm scores.

CONCLUSION

The SGRQm yielded satisfactory psychometric properties.