2013~2017年黑龙江省居民病伤死亡构成统计分析

摘要 目的：分析2013~2017年黑龙江省居民疾病死亡构成情况,为提高全省居民的防病治病意识及加强居民的健康生活理念提供参考。方法：采用国家卫生统计网络直报系统及数理统计方法对2013~2017年全省居民疾病发病死亡构成变化进行分析。结果：全省居民死亡性别比例表现为男性高于女性,死亡年龄比例70岁以上最高,死因前三位依次为：循环系统疾病、肿瘤、呼吸系统疾病。循环系疾病中,以脑血管病、急性心梗、冠心病死亡率较高。结论：加强对循环系统疾病、恶性肿瘤及呼吸系统疾病的重点防治可能有助于减少本省疾病发病和死亡。     

院前急救联合绿色通道模式对急性心肌梗死PPCI术患者救治效果和术后不良心血管事件的影响

摘要 目的：探讨院前急救联合绿色通道模式对行急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术（PPCI）的急性心肌梗死（AMI）患者救治效果和术后不良心血管事件的影响。方法：选取2017年1月~2019年6月期间我院收治的行PPCI术的AMI患者200例,采用随机数字表法将患者分为对照组（n=100）和研究组（n=100）,对照组患者予以传统急诊模式,研究组患者予以院前急救联合绿色通道模式,比较两组患者救治效果、满意度、确诊时间、心肌再灌注治疗时间、住院时间、术后不良心血管事件。结果：研究组抢救时间、急救反应时间、确诊时间、心肌再灌注治疗时间以及住院时间均短于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组治疗后的临床总有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组的总满意度为91.00%（91/100）,高于对照组的76.00%（76/100）（P<0.05）。研究组术后不良心血管发生事件发生率为2.00%（2/100）,低于对照组的17.00%（17/100）（P<0.05）。结论：行PPCI术的AMI患者给予院前急救联合绿色通道模式,救治效果显著,可有效提高患者满意度,减少术后不良心血管事件的发生率。     

2015-2018年重庆万州区女性HPV的感染状况、基因亚型及年龄分布研究

摘要 目的：研究2015-2018年重庆万州区女性人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）的感染状况、基因亚型及年龄分布。方法：选取2015年1月-2018年12月期间重庆万州区进行两癌筛查以及前来我院就诊的女性,共计1203例,采用PCR－反向点杂交法检测HPV感染情况,分析各个年龄段HPV的感染状况、各个年龄段HPV感染基因亚型以及各个年龄段HPV单一感染和多重感染情况。结果：接受HPV检测的1203例女性中共有457例出现HPV感染,感染率为37.99%,其中<30岁35例,感染率为36.84%;30~39岁117例,感染率为37.74%;40~49岁120例,感染率为35.82%;50~59岁127例,感染率为37.46%;≥60岁57例,感染率为45.97%,各个年龄段之间的HPV的感染率比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,457例患者中共有635个HPV感染基因,其中高危型感染基因共568个,占感染基因的89.45%,低危型感染基因共67个,占感染基因的10.55%。单一感染人数共333人,占总感染人数的72.87%,其中高危单一感染共301人,占总感染人数65.86%,低危单一感染共32人,占总感染人数7.00%。多重感染人数共124人,占总人数的27.13%。结论：2015-2018年重庆万州区女性HPV感染率为37.99%,其中≥60岁年龄段的女性HPV感染率最高,高危感染和单一感染为主要的感染类型。     

检测蜜蜂急性麻痹病毒TaqMan实时荧光RT-PCR方法的建立和初步应用

[背景] 蜜蜂急性麻痹病毒（Acute Bee Paralysis Virus,ABPV）是一种高毒力的蜜蜂病毒,可以引起蜜蜂的大批死亡和蜂群衰竭。[目的] 建立一种快速、灵敏的ABPV实时荧光RT-PCR检测方法。[方法] 根据ABPV衣壳蛋白基因保守序列设计引物和探针,通过对引物、探针浓度和退火温度等反应条件进行优化,建立基于TaqMan探针检测ABPV的实时荧光RT-PCR方法,并对方法的灵敏性、特异性和稳定性进行验证。[结果] ABPV实时荧光RT-PCR检测方法在9.8×10¹-9.8×10⁸ copies/μL之间呈现良好的线性关系,线性相关系数R²为0.998,扩增效率为103.8%。该方法的检测灵敏度为9.8 copies/μL;对其他蜜蜂病毒不发生交叉反应,具有良好的特异性;重复性试验结果显示组内和组间的变异系数分别为0.19%-0.80%和0.57%-1.07%,重复性良好。对2018年-2019年在福建地区采集的70份蜜蜂样品进行ABPV检测,阳性率为2.86%。[结论] 建立的ABPV实时荧光RT-PCR检测方法能用于该病的实验室检测、流行病学调查和疫情监测。     

盐城地区未成年过敏性疾病患者吸入性过敏原IgE检测结果分析

摘要 目的：通过研究分析盐城地区未成年过敏性疾病患者吸入性过敏原特异性IgE检测结果分布变化特点,为过敏性疾病预防和临床诊疗提供科学依据。方法：自2020年1月至2021年3月期间,选择430例未成年(<18岁)过敏性疾病患者,血清检测方法采用欧蒙公司生产的过敏原特异性IgE检测试剂盒。结果：430例患者中,血清过敏原IgE阳性166例(38.60%),其中尘螨和屋尘是主要的吸入性过敏原。血清IgE阳性率男性39%,女性36% (P>0.05),中学组女性阳性率（61.11 %）高于男性（45.83 %）（P<0.05）。不同年龄组间IgE阳性率有统计学差异（P<0.05）,蟑螂、尘螨、霉菌、豚草、屋尘和年龄组间有统计学差异（P<0.05）。不同临床症状与IgE阳性率有统计学差异(P<0.05),其中呼吸道过敏症状组IgE阳性率最高（48.30 %）,不同症状组间主要过敏原都是尘螨。屋尘阳性患者均合并尘螨阳性,其中70.93 %的患者表现出了呼吸道过敏症状。结论：尘螨、屋尘是盐城地区未成年过敏性疾病患者最主要的吸入性过敏原,研究血清过敏原分布,对未成年人过敏性疾病的预防、诊疗具有重要意义。     

三种宫颈癌筛查方法的临床效果比较及筛查阳性者认知状况调查

摘要 目的：研究三种宫颈癌筛查方法的临床效果比较及筛查阳性者认知状况。方法：选取2018年3月～2019年12月有阴道镜检查指征并完成阴道镜检查和宫颈活检的287例患者作为研究对象。对所有研究对象在阴道镜检查前均开展宫颈液基细胞学（TCT）检查、人乳头瘤病毒-脱氧核糖核酸（HPV-DNA）检查以及细胞DNA定量检查。以活检后病理检查结果为金标准,分析上述三种宫颈癌筛查方式的灵敏度、特异度以及准确度。此外,采用自拟的调查问卷的方式明确宫颈癌筛查阳性患者的认知状况。结果：以病理学结果为金标准,宫颈上皮内瘤变2（CIN2）及以上为阳性,TCT检查宫颈癌前病变的灵敏度、特异度以及准确度分别为68.63%（35/51）、78.81%（186/236）、77.00%（221/287）。HPV-DNA检查宫颈癌前病变的灵敏度、特异度以及准确度分别为94.12%（48/51）、59.32%（140/236）、65.51%（188/287）。细胞DNA定量检查宫颈癌前病变的灵敏度、特异度以及准确度分别为72.55（37/51）、86.86%（205/236）、84.32%（242/287）。 HPV-DNA检查的灵敏度高于TCT检查和细胞DNA定量检查（P＜0.05）,细胞DNA定量检查的特异度及准确度均较TCT检查和HPV-DNA检查更高（P＜0.05）。了解宫颈癌筛查的人数占比为92.16%,了解定期筛查宫颈癌的重要性人数占比17.65%,了解宫颈癌筛查方式人数占比为9.80%,了解HPV相关知识人数占比0.00%,了解宫颈癌筛查可早期检出病变人数占比为15.69%。结论：HPV-DNA检查应用于宫颈癌筛查中具有较高的灵敏度,而细胞DNA定量检查具有较高的特异度以及准确度,筛查阳性者的认知状况有待提高。     

超声联合染色体检测对胎儿心血管畸形的诊断价值

摘要 目的：探讨超声联合染色体检测对胎儿心血管畸形的诊断价值。方法：2017年6月到2020年12月选择在本院诊治的高危孕妇117例作为研究对象,所有孕妇都给予胎儿心脏超声检查与羊膜穿刺染色体检查,判断胎儿心血管畸形情况。结果：在117例孕妇中,胎儿心脏超声检出胎儿心血管畸形37例,占比31.6%,前三位主要为室间隔缺损、左上腔静脉、右锁骨下动脉。羊膜腔穿刺术检出32例染色体异常胎儿,占比27.4%,其中染色体数目异常30例,染色体结构异常2例,前三位分别为21-三体、13-三体与18-三体。超声检查胎儿心血管畸形37例中,染色体异常30例;超声检查胎儿心血管正常80例中,染色体异常2例,对比差异有统计学 意义(P<0.05)。联合诊断为胎儿心血管畸形39例,随访后确诊为胎儿心血管畸形40例,超声联合染色体检测对胎儿心血管畸形的敏感性与特异性为100.0%(39/39)和98.7%(77/78)。结论：胎儿心脏超声联合染色体检测对胎儿心血管畸形的诊断具有很高敏感性与特异性,可尽最大可能提高出生缺陷儿的检出率,有很好的应用价值。     

HRR、PLR与中重度颅脑损伤患者短期死亡的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨血红蛋白/红细胞分布宽度比值（HRR）、血小板/淋巴细胞比值（PLR）与中重度颅脑损伤（TBI）患者短期死亡的关系。方法：回顾性收集2019年9月～2021年9月徐州医科大学附属医院收治的162例中重度TBI患者的病历资料，根据患者入院30d内生存状态分为死亡组和存活组。计算HRR和PLR，采用多因素Logistic回归分析中重度TBI患者短期死亡的影响因素，受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析格拉斯哥昏迷量表（GCS）评分联合HRR、PLR对中重度TBI患者短期死亡的预测价值。结果：162例中重度TBI患者入院30 d内死亡率为35.80%（58/162）。与存活组比较，死亡组HRR降低，PLR升高（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示，GCS评分＜9分、瞳孔散大、脑疝和HRR降低、PLR升高为中重度TBI患者短期死亡的独立危险因素（P＜0.05）。ROC曲线分析显示，HRR、PLR联合GCS评分预测中重度TBI患者短期死亡的曲线下面积最大，为0.924。结论：HRR降低和PLR升高与中重度TBI患者短期死亡相关，可能成为中重度TBI患者短期死亡的辅助预测指标，在GCS评分基础上联合HRR、PLR能提升对中重度TBI患者短期死亡的预测价值。     

2017年至2019年阜阳某三级医院常见病原菌分布和细菌耐药性分析

摘要 目的：分析本院2017年~2019年常见病原菌分布和细菌耐药性情况,以指导临床用药。方法：将送检标本中的病原菌进行鉴定,参照CLSI 2017版判读药敏结果。结果：收集2017年7月~2019年6月临床分离菌共2292株,其中革兰阴性菌1862株,占81.2%,革兰阳性菌430株,占18.8%。大肠埃希菌占比最高,占25.7%。主要分离于尿液标本（55.9%）、血液标本（12.2%）和痰液标本（10.8%）。金黄色葡葡球菌中MRSA（耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌）和凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌中耐甲氧西林凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌（MRCNS）的检出率分别为61.4%和74.4%。MRSA主要分布于普外科、神经外科和骨科。未检出替考拉宁、利奈唑胺或万古霉素耐药的葡萄球菌。肠球菌属中屎肠球菌对测试药物的耐药率均较高。16株肺炎链球菌,其中3株对青霉素耐药。肠杆菌科细菌中,肺炎克雷伯菌对碳青霉烯耐药率为14.5%。鲍曼不动杆菌对碳青霉烯的耐药率为76.9%。铜绿假单胞菌为19.3%。14株流感嗜血杆菌中,β内酰胺酶检出率为35.7%（5/14）。结论：2017年~2019年我院常见病原菌以革兰阴性杆菌为主,病原菌的耐药性较高,临床应加强科室管理,合理应用抗生素,防耐药菌株的流行,降低医院感染的发生风险。     

西安市2010-2015年0-5岁儿童HBV感染状况的流行病学研究

摘要 目的：总结西安市2010-2015年 0-5岁儿童乙肝病毒感染的发病趋势和流行病学特征,寻找高危人群。通过随访研究获取HBV感染儿童疾病转归及乙肝监测系统存在的问题,为乙肝监测系统完善及制定防治策略提供科学依据。方法：采用描述性流行病学方法对西安市2010-2015年的0-5岁儿童乙肝患者进行三间分布描述分析;采用前瞻性队列研究方法,检测母亲及儿童的外周血HBV病毒学情况,获得母亲感染状况和患儿转归。结果：6年间,西安市0-5岁儿童共上报乙肝病例175例,年均HBV感染率为6.05/10万,2013年最高,为9.73/10万,以散发为主;0-1岁为高发年龄段,男童发病多于女童;未央区、雁塔区为高发地区。截止2016年8月,随访HBV感染学龄前儿童139例,仅17例完成流行病学调查和体检检测,失访率高达87.7%,17例HBV感染儿童中HBsAg慢性化高达88.2%,其中14例(82.3%)母亲为HBsAg阳性者。结论：西安市0-5岁儿童HBV感染的高危人群为HBsAg阳性母亲的儿童,与宫内感染/母婴传播有关。0-5岁HBV感染儿童转归结局不良,建议加强HBV宫内阻断,并对高危新生儿进行乙肝抗体监测。     

Incidence of multiple myeloma in Kailuan cohort: A prospective community-based study in China

BackgroundPrevious retrospective studies showed that the incidence and mortality rates for MM in China were lower than those in western countries. A large-scale prospective study on incidence and mortality rates of MM is still lacking.MethodsBased on the prospective Kailuan Cohort study in China, we included all patients with MM in Kailuan Cohort from June 1, 2008 to December 31, 2016. Using the numbers of diagnosed cases and deaths during the study period as the numerators and the corresponding observed person-years as the denominators respectively, we calculated crude incidence and mortality rates. The 95% confidence intervals for crude incidence rate and mortality rate were estimated base on Poisson distribution. Rates were standardized by direct standardization according to the China population in 2000 and Segi’ world standard population.ResultsA total of 22 members from Kailuan Cohort were first diagnosed with MM between 2008 and 2016. The calculated crude incidence rates were 2.8 (95% CI, 1.7–4.2) per 100,000 person-years for all participants. The standardized incidence rate was 0.9 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI, 0.5–2.1) when standardized by 2000 China population census data, and 1.0 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI, 0.6–1.8) when standardized by Segi’s world standard population (WSP). The calculated crude mortality rates were 2.3 (95% CI, 1.4–3.6) per 100,000 person-years. The mortality standardized by 2000 China population census data was 0.7 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI, 0.3–1.9), and 0.9 per 100,000 population (95% CI, 0.5–1.7) when standardized by Segi’s WSP. Both incidence and mortality for males were higher than that for females almost in all age groups. Both rates increased steadily with age.ConclusionIn this community-based prospective cohort study, we found that the incidence of MM in China was far lower than that in American and Europe.     

The Pathogen- and Incidence-Based DALY Approach: An Appropriated Methodology for Estimating the Burden of Infectious Diseases

In 2009, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control initiated the ‘Burden of Communicable Diseases in Europe (BCoDE)’ project to generate evidence-based and comparable burden-of-disease estimates of infectious diseases in Europe. The burden-of-disease metric used was the Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY), composed of years of life lost due to premature death (YLL) and due to disability (YLD). To better represent infectious diseases, a pathogen-based approach was used linking incident cases to sequelae through outcome trees. Health outcomes were included if an evidence-based causal relationship between infection and outcome was established. Life expectancy and disability weights were taken from the Global Burden of Disease Study and alternative studies. Disease progression parameters were based on literature. Country-specific incidence was based on surveillance data corrected for underestimation. Non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. were used for illustration. Using the incidence- and pathogen-based DALY approach the total burden for Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. was estimated at 730 DALYs and at 1,780 DALYs per year in the Netherlands (average of 2005–2007). Sequelae accounted for 56% and 82% of the total burden of Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp., respectively. The incidence- and pathogen-based DALY methodology allows in the case of infectious diseases a more comprehensive calculation of the disease burden as subsequent sequelae are fully taken into account. Not considering subsequent sequelae would strongly underestimate the burden of infectious diseases. Estimates can be used to support prioritisation and comparison of infectious diseases and other health conditions, both within a country and between countries.     

Economic and disease burden of Japanese encephalitis in Zhejiang Province, 2013–2018

BackgroundJapanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne disease and associated with high mortality and disability rate among symptomatic cases. In the absence of local data, this study estimated the economic burden and the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to JE in Zhejiang Province, China during 2013–2018, to increase disease awareness and provide evidence for effective health policy.Methodology/Principle findingsWe merged multiple data sources, including National Notifiable Disease Registry System (NNDRS), patient interviews and medical records from corresponding hospitals for JE cases which occurred during 2013–2018 in Zhejiang Province. Direct costs were extracted from hospitals’ billing systems and patient interviews. Indirect costs and disease burden were calculated based on questionnaire survey from patient interviews and follow-up assessment by general practitioners. Given under-reporting, an expansion factor (EF) was applied to extrapolate the JE burden to the provincial level. The total economic burden of JE during 2013–2018 was estimated at US $12.01 million with an EF = 3. Of this, $8.32 million was due to direct economic cost and $3.69 million to indirect cost. The disease burden of JE was 42.75 DALYs per million population (28.44 YLD, 14.28 YLL) according to the 1990 Global Burden of Disease (GBD 1990) methodology and 80.01 DALYs (53.67YLD, 26.34YLL) according to the GBD 2010 methodology. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the overall economic burden varied from US$ 1.73–36.42 million. The greatest variation was due to the prognosis of illness (-85.57%-203.17%), followed by occupation (-34.07%-134.12%) and age (-72.97%-47.69%).Conclusions/SignificanceJE imposes a heavy burden for families and society in Zhejiang Province. This study provides comprehensive empirical estimates of JE burden to increase awareness and strengthen knowledge of the public. These data may support provincial level public health decision making for prevention and control of JE. Ongoing surveillance for acute meningitis and encephalitis syndrome (AEMS) in sentinel hospitals, is needed to further refine estimates of JE burden.     

Risk of developing active tuberculosis following tuberculosis screening and preventive therapy for Tibetan refugee children and adolescents in India: An impact assessment

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) rates among Tibetan refugee children and adolescents attending boarding schools in India are extremely high. We undertook a comprehensive case finding and TB preventive treatment (TPT) program in 7 schools in the Zero TB Kids project. We aimed to measure the TB infection and disease burden and investigate the risk of TB disease in children and adults who did and did not receive TPT in the schools.Methods and findingsA mobile team annually screened children and staff for TB at the 7 boarding schools in Himachal Pradesh, India, using symptom criteria, radiography, molecular diagnostics, and tuberculin skin tests. TB infection (TBI) was treated with short-course regimens of isoniazid and rifampin or rifampin. TB disease was treated according to Tibetan and Indian guidelines. Between April 2017 and December 2019, 6,582 schoolchildren (median age 14 [IQR 11–16] years) and 807 staff (median age 40 [IQR 33–48] years) were enrolled. Fifty-one percent of the students and 58% of the staff were females. Over 13,161 person-years of follow-up in schoolchildren (median follow-up 2.3 years) and 1,800 person-years of follow-up in staff (median follow-up 2.5 years), 69 TB episodes occurred in schoolchildren and 4 TB episodes occurred in staff, yielding annual incidence rates of 524/100,000 (95% CI 414–663/100,000) person-years and 256/100,000 (95% CI 96–683/100,000) person-years, respectively. Of 1,412 schoolchildren diagnosed with TBI, 1,192 received TPT. Schoolchildren who received TPT had 79% lower risk of TB disease (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.21; 95% CI 0.07–0.69; p = 0.010) compared to non-recipients, the primary study outcome. Protection was greater in recent contacts (aHR 0.07; 95% CI 0.01–0.42; p = 0.004), the secondary study outcome. The prevalence of recent contacts was 28% (1,843/6,582). Two different TPT regimens were used (3HR and 4R), and both were apparently effective. No staff receiving TPT developed TB. Overall, between 2017 and 2019, TB disease incidence decreased by 87%, from 837/100,000 (95% CI 604–1,129/100,000) person-years to 110/100,000 (95% CI 36–255/100,000) person-years (p < 0.001), and TBI prevalence decreased by 42% from 19% (95% CI 18%–20%) to 11% (95% CI 10%–12%) (p < 0.001). A limitation of our study is that TB incidence could be influenced by secular trends during the study period.ConclusionsIn this study, following implementation of a school-wide TB screening and preventive treatment program, we observed a significant reduction in the burden of TB disease and TBI in children and adolescents. The benefit of TPT was particularly marked for recent TB contacts. This initiative may serve as a model for TB detection and prevention in children and adolescents in other communities affected by TB.

Kunchok Dorjee and colleagues investigate infection and disease burden following mass tuberculosis preventive treatment for Tibetan refugee children at schools in India.     

Trends in disability-adjusted life years of lung cancer among women from 2004 to 2030 in Guangzhou,China: A population-based study

BackgroundForecast of disease burden in lung cancer is an important health agenda. One of the main challenges is to predict the evolution of trends in disability-adjusted life year (DALY) of lung cancer so as to anticipate the future burden and to coordinate the supply of sufficient health services and care.MethodsUsing 2004–2013 cancer registry data in Guangzhou, we fitted Bayesian age-period-cohort models with age, period, and cohort effects to analyze trends of lung cancer among women, and then made forecast for DALY of lung cancer until 2030.ResultsDuring 2004–2013, there was an annual average of 10,582 DALYs for lung cancer (15.84% of total DALY). In 2014–2030, DALY is expected to reach 234,752 person-years for lung cancer (12.25% of total DALY), with an annual mean of 13,809 DALYs. Lung cancer crude DALY rate is projected to rise steadily from 257.56 (95% uncertainty interval: 165.97–361.22) in 2014 to 316.99 (219.96–419.41) per 100,000 women in 2030, and the rise is mainly seen in 45–64 years age group. Lung cancer DALY rate remains the highest in the 65–89 years age group.ConclusionsWomen at 65–89 years carry the highest lung cancer burden among other age groups in Guangzhou. The DALY rate of lung cancer is projected to increase most precipitously for the 45–64 years age group. This indicates that concerted efforts are needed to develop adequate cancer services, and to reassess health resources for control and care of lung cancer in these populations.     

Years of Life Lost (YLL) in Colombia 1998-2011: Overall and Avoidable Causes of Death Analysis

ObjectiveEstimate the Years of Life Lost (YLL) for overall and avoidable causes of death (CoD) in Colombia for the period 1998-2011.MethodsFrom the reported deaths to the Colombian mortality database during 1998-2011, we classified deaths from avoidable causes. With the reference life table of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2010 study, we estimated the overall YLL and YLL due to avoidable causes. Calculations were performed with the difference between life expectancy and the age of death. Results are reported by group of cause of death, events, sex, year and department. Comparative analysis between number of deaths and YLL was carried out.ResultsA total of 83,856,080 YLL were calculated in Colombia during period 1998-2011, 75.9% of them due to avoidable CoD. The year 2000 reported the highest number of missed YLL by both overall and avoidable CoD. The departments with the highest YLL rates were Caquetá, Guaviare, Arauca, Meta, and Risaralda. In men, intentional injuries and cardiovascular and circulatory diseases had the higher losses, while in women YLL were mainly due to cardiovascular and circulatory diseases.ConclusionsThe public health priorities should focus on preventing the loss of YLL due to premature death and differentiated interventions by sex.     

Incidence of Human Taenia solium Larval Infections in an Ecuadorian Endemic Area: Implications for Disease Burden Assessment and Control

Background

Human cysticercosis is a zoonotic disease causing severe health disorders and even death. While prevalence data become available worldwide, incidence rate and cumulative incidence figures are lacking, which limits the understanding of the Taenia solium epidemiology.

Methodology/Principal findings

A seroepidemiological cohort study was conducted in a south-Ecuadorian community to estimate the incidence rate of infection with and the incidence rate of exposure to T. solium based on antigen and antibody detections, respectively. The incidence rate of infection was 333.6 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI: [8.4–1,858] per 100,000 person-years) contrasting with a higher incidence rate of exposure 13,370 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI: [8,730–19,591] per 100,000 person-years). The proportion of infected individuals remained low and stable during the whole study year while more than 25% of the population showed at least one antibody seroconversion/seroreversion during the same time period.

Conclusions/Significance

Understanding the transmission of T. solium is essential to develop ad hoc cost-effective prevention and control programs. The estimates generated here may now be incorporated in epidemiological models to simulate the temporal transmission of the parasite and the effects of control interventions on its life cycle. These estimates are also of high importance to assess the disease burden since incidence data are needed to make regional and global projections of morbidity and mortality related to cysticercosis.     

Burden of disease due to cancer in a Southern Brazilian state

Background: Despite the considerable epidemiological relevance of cancer in developing countries, there are very few studies of the burden related to cancer. The aim of this study was to present and discuss data from a burden-of-cancer study performed in a Southern Brazilian state. Methods: An epidemiological study of ecological design was performed to calculate the disability-adjusted life year (DALY) index. The study was based on records of individuals admitted and treated for cancer in the Brazilian National Health System Hospitals, or individuals who had died of cancer while residing in the state of Santa Catarina in 2008. Results: A total of 73,872.9 DALYs were estimated, which generated a rate of 1220.5 DALYs/100,000 inhabitants. The highest DALYs were those for cancer of the trachea, bronchus and lung with 179.0/100,000 inhabitants, gastric cancer with 101.7/100,000 inhabitants, and breast cancer with 99.7/100,000 inhabitants. The percentage contribution of the DALY component varied according to cancer type; however, mortality was the major component in all types. The highest rates were observed in 60–69-year-olds with 6071.3/100,000 inhabitants, in 70–79-year-olds with 5095.4/100,000 inhabitants, and in 45–59-year-olds with 3189.0 DALY/100,000 inhabitants; 53.7% of DALYs occurred in males. Conclusions: The greatest burden of disease due to cancer in Santa Catarina was attributed to cancer of the trachea, bronchus and lung, followed by gastric and breast cancers. The mortality component was responsible for the greatest burden.     

Incidence of soft tissue sarcoma in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based study (2007–2013)

BackgroundAsian studies on soft tissue sarcoma (STS) incidence, irrespective of the primary site, are scant.MethodsSTS data were acquired from the population-based 2007–2013 Taiwan Cancer Registry of the Health and Welfare Data Science Center, Taiwan. Histological subtype-, site-, sex-, and age-specific STS incidence rates were analyzed according to the 2013 classification of the World Health Organization.ResultsIn total, 11,393 patients with an age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of 5.62 (95% confidence interval, 5.51–5.73) per 100,000 person-years were identified. Overall, a male predominance (sex-standardized incidence rate ratio, 1.2) was noted, and the rate increased with age, peaking at >75 years. Approximately 30% of STSs occurred in connective, subcutaneous, and other soft tissues and 70% in other sites. In addition to connective, subcutaneous, and other soft tissues, the three most common primary sites were the stomach (15.9%), skin (14.3%), and small intestines (10.5%). Gastrointestinal stromal tumor was the most common subtype (29.2%; ASIR, 1.55/100,000 person-years), followed by liposarcoma (11.5%; ASIR, 0.63/100,000 person-years) and leiomyosarcoma (9.7%; ASIR, 0.53/100,000 person-years). Compared with relevant data from Western countries, the incidence rate of angiosarcomas was higher than that in other regions, whereas the incidence rates of leiomyosarcoma and Kaposi sarcoma were lower than those in other regions.ConclusionSTS incidence varied by histological subtype, sex, age, and primary site in an Asian population. Our results suggested regional and racial discrepancies in the incidence rates of certain STS subtypes.     

Profile of cancer in the Eastern Mediterranean region: The need for action

BackgroundMany countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) are undergoing marked demographic and socioeconomic transitions that are increasing the cancer burden in region. We sought to examine the national cancer incidence and mortality profiles as a support to regional cancer control planning in the EMR.MethodsGLOBOCAN 2012 data were used to estimate cancer incidence and mortality by country, cancer type, sex and age in 22 EMR countries. We calculated age-standardized incidence and mortality rates (per 100,000) using direct method of standardization.ResultsThe cancer incidence and mortality rates vary considerably between countries in the EMR. Incidence rates were highest in Lebanon (204 and 193 per 100,000 in males and females, respectively). Mortality rates were highest in Lebanon (119) and Egypt (121) among males and in Somalia (117) among females. The profile of common cancers differs substantially by sex. For females, breast cancer is the most common cancer in all 22 countries, followed by cervical cancer, which ranks high only in the lower-income countries in the region. For males, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancer in combination represent almost 30% of the cancer burden in countries that have attained very high levels of human development.ConclusionsThe most common cancers are largely amenable to preventive strategies by primary and/or secondary prevention, hence a need for effective interventions tackling lifestyle risk factors and infections. The high mortality observed from breast and cervical cancer highlights the need to break the stigmas and improve awareness surrounding these cancers.