The burden of cancer in Austria

The aim of this study was to assess the overall progress against cancer in Austria by analysing changes in age-adjusted mortality rates from 1970 to 1996. For the years 1970 to 1996, age-adjusted rates for all malignant neoplasms and for selected sites were calculated for men and women, according to year, age and sex. The number of cancer deaths were obtained from the Austrian Central Statistical Office--age-adjusted mortality rates of all malignant neoplasms decreased in men between 1971 and 1996 by 13% (from 289.1 to 251.4 deaths per 100,000), and in women between 1970 and 1996 by 19.1% (from 276.6 to 223.7 deaths per 100,000). Among older people (> or = 55 years) the mortality decreased by 13% in men and by 17% in women; among younger people (< 55 years) by 12% and 30%, respectively. The decrease in total cancer mortality is promoted by three tumour sites (the leading causes of cancer deaths in 1970). In both sexes, the decrease of stomach cancer mortality had the major impact, followed by colorectal cancer in women and by lung cancer in men. The observed changes in mortality are primarily related to changing incidence and early detection, rather than improvements in treatment. Unfortunately, there is evidence that prevention is losing ground in Austria. The implementation of the well-established knowledge of cancer prevention and the strengthening of preventative research is urgently needed

The frequency of photosensitizing drug dispensings in Austria and Germany: a correlation with their photosensitizing potential based on published literature.

BACKGROUND:Drug-induced photosensitivity refers to the development of cutaneous adverse events due to interaction between a pharmaceutical compound and sunlight. Although photosensitivity is a very commonly listed side-effect of systemic drugs, reliable data on its actual incidence are lacking so far. OBJECTIVES:A possible approach to evaluate the real-life extent of drug-induced photosensitivity would be an analysis of the frequency of exposure to a given photosensitizing drug combined with an indicator of its photosensitizing potential. This could serve as a basis for developing a pharmaceutical 'heatmap' of photosensitivity. METHODS:The present study investigated the number of reimbursed dispensed packages of potentially photosensitizing drugs in Germany (DE) and Austria (AT) between 2010 and 2017 based on nationwide health insurance-based databases. In addition, an indicator for the photosensitizing potential was established for each drug based on the number of reports on photosensitivity in the literature. RESULTS:This analysis includes means of 632 826 944 (+/-14 894 918) drug dispensings per year in DE and 113 270 754 (+/-1 964 690) in AT. Out of these, the mean percentage of drugs that enlist photosensitivity as a potential side-effect was 49.5% (±0.7) in DE and 48.2% (±1.2) in AT. When plotting the number of reimbursed dispensed packages vs. the number of reports on photosensitivity, two categories of drugs show high numbers for both parameters, that is diuretics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). CONCLUSIONS:Diuretics and NSAIDs appear to be responsible for the greatest part of exposure to photosensitizing drugs with potential implication on public health

a correlation with theirphotosensitizing potential based on published literature

Background: Drug‐induced photosensitivity refers to the development of cutaneous adverse events due to interaction between a pharmaceutical compound and sunlight. Although photosensitivity is a very commonly listed side‐effect of systemic drugs, reliable data on its actual incidence are lacking so far. Objectives: A possible approach to evaluate the real‐life extent of drug‐induced photosensitivity would be an analysis of the frequency of exposure to a given photosensitizing drug combined with an indicator of its photosensitizing potential. This could serve as a basis for developing a pharmaceutical ‘heatmap’ of photosensitivity. Methods: The present study investigated the number of reimbursed dispensed packages of potentially photosensitizing drugs in Germany (DE) and Austria (AT) between 2010 and 2017 based on nationwide health insurance‐based databases. In addition, an indicator for the photosensitizing potential was established for each drug based on the number of reports on photosensitivity in the literature. Results: This analysis includes means of 632 826 944 (+/−14 894 918) drug dispensings per year in DE and 113 270 754 (+/−1 964 690) in AT. Out of these, the mean percentage of drugs that enlist photosensitivity as a potential side‐effect was 49.5% (±0.7) in DE and 48.2% (±1.2) in AT. When plotting the number of reimbursed dispensed packages vs. the number of reports on photosensitivity, two categories of drugs show high numbers for both parameters, that is diuretics and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Conclusions: Diuretics and NSAIDs appear to be responsible for the greatest part of exposure to photosensitizing drugs with potential implication on public health

Serum total 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α: A new and independent predictor of peripheral arterial disease

ObjectiveCirculating 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α) has been proposed as new indicator of oxidative stress, which is involved in the pathophysiologic changes of atherosclerosis. We proposed to test the hypothesis that 8-iso-PGF2α is an independent predictor of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD).MethodsA case-control study in 100 patients with symptomatic PAD and 100 control subjects matched for age, sex, and diabetes mellitus was conducted. Smokers and subjects using lipid-lowering drugs were excluded. Serum total 8-iso-PGF2α was quantified with an enzyme immunoassay.ResultsMedian 8-iso-PGF2α was higher in patients with PAD than in control subjects (63 vs 42 pg/mL; P = .001). Logistic regression with hypertension, body mass index, and creatinine, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), 8-iso-PGF2α, and total homocysteine concentrations as independent variables and case-control status as dependent variable revealed significant odds ratios (OR) for hypertension (OR, 3.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.85-7.53), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR, 1.16, for an increment of 10 mg/dL; 95% CI, 1.07-1.27), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (OR, 1.02, for an increment of 1 mg/L; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03), and 8-iso-PGF2α (OR, 1.11, for an increment of 10 pg/mL; 95% CI, 1.03-1.20).ConclusionsSerum total 8-iso-PGF2α was an independent predictor of PAD in the population studied. This finding supports the hypothesis that 8-iso-PGF2α is a risk marker for PAD. Our results indicate increased systemic oxidative stress in patients with PAD

Producing valid statistics when legislation, culture, and medical practices differ for births at or before the threshold of survival: Report of a European workshop

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked Downloa

Gender differentials in the evolution of cigarette smoking habits in a general European adult population from 1993–2003

BACKGROUND: Describe the recent evolution of cigarette smoking habits by gender in Geneva, where incidence rates of lung cancer have been declining in men but increasing in women. METHODS: Continuous cross-sectional surveillance of the general adult (35–74 yrs) population of Geneva, Switzerland for 11 years (1993–2003) using a locally-validated smoking questionnaire, yielding a representative random sample of 12,271 individuals (6,164 men, 6,107 women). RESULTS: In both genders, prevalence of current cigarette smoking was stable over the 11-year period, at about one third of men and one quarter of women, even though smoking began at an earlier age in more recent years. Older men were more likely to be former smokers than older women. Younger men, but not women, tended to quit smoking at an earlier age. CONCLUSION: This continuous (1993–2003) risk factor surveillance system, unique in Europe, shows stable prevalence of smoking in both genders. However, sharp contrasts in age-specific prevalence of never and former smoking and of ages at smoking initiation indicate that smoking continues a long-term decline in men but has still not reached its peak in women

Skin cancer screening participation and impact on melanoma incidence in Germany – an observational study on incidence trends in regions with and without population-based screening

Background: The SCREEN (Skin Cancer Research to provide Evidence for Effectiveness of Screening in Northern Germany) project involved population-wide skin cancer screening with whole-body examination by general physicians and dermatologists. It was conducted in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein (July 2003–June 2004), but not in the German state of Saarland. Methods: The population-based registries of Schleswig-Holstein and Saarland provided data on melanoma incidence before, during, and after SCREEN to assess the association of skin cancer screening with incidence. Results: Approximately 19% of the Schleswig-Holstein population participated in SCREEN (women: 27%, men: 10%). A total of 52% of all melanomas diagnosed during SCREEN in Schleswig-Holstein were detected as part of the project. Melanoma incidence increased during SCREEN (invasive melanoma in women: +8.9 per 100 000 (95% confidence intervals (CI): 6.1; 11.7); men: +4.0 per 100 000 (95% CI: 1.6; 6.4)) and decreased afterwards (women: −10.6 per 100 000 (95% CI: −13.3; −7.9); men: −4.1 per 100 000 (95% CI: −6.5; −1.7)). Similar changes were not observed in Saarland that had no such project. The differences between the two states were greatest among women, the group with the greater SCREEN participation. Conclusion: The SCREEN project had a substantial impact on melanoma incidence. This is consistent with the impact of effective screening for other cancers

Association of microsomal epoxide hydrolase polymorphisms and lung cancer risk

lung cancer ris

Urine culture doubtful in determining etiology of diffuse symptoms among elderly individuals: a cross-sectional study of 32 nursing homes

Background: The high prevalence of bacteriuria in elderly individuals makes it difficult to know if a new symptom is related to bacteria in the urine. There are different views concerning this relationship and bacteriuria often leads to antibiotic treatments. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between bacteria in the urine and new or increased restlessness, fatigue, confusion, aggressiveness, not being herself/himself, dysuria, urgency and fever in individuals at nursing homes for elderly when statistically considering the high prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in this population.\ud \ud Methods: In this cross-sectional study symptoms were registered and voided urine specimens were collected for urinary cultures from 651 elderly individuals. Logistic regressions were performed to evaluate the statistical correlation between bacteriuria and presence of a symptom at group level. To estimate the clinical relevance of statistical correlations at group level positive and negative etiological predictive values (EPV) were calculated.\ud \ud Results: Logistic regression indicated some correlations at group level. Aside from Escherichia coli in the urine and not being herself/himself existing at least one month, but less than three months, EPV indicated no clinically useful correlation between any symptoms in this study and findings of bacteriuria.\ud \ud Conclusions: Urinary cultures provide little or no useful information when evaluating diffuse symptoms among elderly residents of nursing homes. Either common urinary tract pathogens are irrelevant, or urine culture is an inappropriate test

International Consensus Conference for Advanced Breast Cancer, Lisbon 2019: ABC5 Consensus – Assessment by a German Group of Experts

The 5th International Consensus Conference for Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC5) took place on November 14–16, 2019, in Lisbon, Portugal. Its aim is to standardize the treatment of advanced breast cancer based on the available evidence and to ensure that all breast cancer patients worldwide receive adequate treatment and access to new therapies. This year, the conference focused on developments and study results in the treatment of patients with hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer as well as precision medicine. As in previous years, patient advocates from around the world were integrated into the ABC conference and had seats on the ABC consensus panel. In the present paper, a working group of German breast cancer experts comments on the results of the on-site ABC5 consensus votes by ABC panelists regarding their applicability for routine treatment in Germany. These comments take the recommendations of the Breast Committee of the Gynecological Oncology Working Group (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie; AGO) into account. The report and assessment presented here pertain to the preliminary results of the ABC5 consensus. The final version of the statements will be published in Annals of Oncology and The Breast