Subject(s)
Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/epidemiology , Nontuberculous Mycobacteria/isolation & purification , Cohort Studies , Greenland/epidemiology , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Incidence , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/history , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/microbiology , Nontuberculous Mycobacteria/classification , Retrospective Studies , Tuberculosis/epidemiology , Tuberculosis/microbiologyABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Oncological treatment of lung cancer has been available in Greenland since 2004. We evaluated patient characteristics and survival rates for the first six years of local lung cancer treatment. METHODS: From September 2004 to August 2010, a total of 173 patients with lung cancer were referred to treatment at Queen Ingrid's Hospital. On 1 February 2014, treatment results, survival, and prognostic variables were analysed. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 63 years. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was diagnosed in 145 patients (84%); 56% had squamous cell carcinoma, 34% had adenocarcinoma, 2% had large cell carcinoma and 8% had NSCLC not otherwise specified (NOS). In all, 28 (16%) had small cell lung cancer. A total of 142 patients (82%) received treatment; 20 underwent surgery (ten stage Ib, one stage IIa, five stage IIb, four stage IIIa); palliative chemotherapy was given to 122 of the 142 treated patients (86%). Of these, 36 patients (30%) received second-line chemotherapy.The median survival of patients undergoing primary lobectomy/pneumonectomy, palliative chemotherapy, and no treatment was 76.3 months, 11.8 months, and 2.0 months, respectively (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Evaluation of the first six years of lung cancer treatment in Greenland revealed a disease incidence and survival comparable to those found in the Nordic countries. To further decrease mortality from lung cancer, health-care resources should continue to be allocated to the prevention and treatment of lung cancer in Greenland. FUNDING: not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.
Subject(s)
Cause of Death , Lung Neoplasms/mortality , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/mortality , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Carcinoma, Large Cell/epidemiology , Carcinoma, Large Cell/pathology , Carcinoma, Large Cell/therapy , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/epidemiology , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/therapy , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/epidemiology , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/therapy , Chemotherapy, Adjuvant , Cohort Studies , Combined Modality Therapy , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Greenland/epidemiology , Humans , Incidence , Lung Neoplasms/therapy , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Invasiveness/pathology , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology , Neoplasm Staging , Pneumonectomy/methods , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Scandinavian and Nordic Countries/epidemiology , Survival Analysis , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Botulism commonly occurs when the anaerobic, gram-positive bacterium Clostridium botulinum, under suitable conditions, produces botulinum neurotoxins. Named A-F, these toxins are the immediate causative agent of the clinical symptoms of symmetrical, descending neurological deficits, including respiratory muscle paralysis. We present five cases of foodborne botulism occurring in Greenland, two with fatal outcome, caused by ingestion of tradionally preserved eider fowl. In the cases of the survivors, antitoxin and supportive care, including mechanical ventilation, were administered. In these cases recovery was complete. Microbiological assays, including toxin neutralization bioassay, demonstrated the presence of neurotoxin E in two survivors. The third survivor was shown by PCR to have the BoNT type E gene in faeces. This is the first report of cases of fatal botulism in Greenland. It underscores the importance of prompt coordinated case management effort in a geographically isolated area such as Greenland.
Subject(s)
Botulinum Toxins/toxicity , Botulism/epidemiology , Clostridium botulinum/isolation & purification , Disease Outbreaks , Adult , Animals , Birds/microbiology , Botulinum Antitoxin/therapeutic use , Botulinum Toxins/genetics , Botulinum Toxins/isolation & purification , Botulism/diagnosis , Botulism/therapy , Child, Preschool , Fatal Outcome , Feces/microbiology , Female , Food Microbiology , Greenland , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Respiration, ArtificialABSTRACT
This article is a review of the viral hepatitis workshop, held during the 13th International Congress of the Circumpolar Health consists of a review of data on viral hepatitis in the Arctic territories of four countries: Canada, Greenland, Russia and United States (Alaska). The main purpose of the workshop was to exchange knowledge on viral hepatitis in the Arctic and identify further needs for collaborative hepatitis research, which is planned to be implemented through the established Viral Hepatitis Working Group in the Arctic. The review is based on the available published research results, surveillance data and professional opinions of the authors. The information is presented by Arctic country. Viral hepatitis constitutes an important problem among Aboriginal peoples of the Arctic; the incidence of most types of viral hepatitis is higher among indigenous populations than in the general public. However, due to differences in the available information from each of the four Arctic countries, it is difficult to compare differences in types of disease in them. The main areas for future research are: HBV genotypes distribution, relations between different types of HBV, HCV and disease outcomes, HBV mutation rate and specific substitutions in the HBV genome over time in the Arctic, and occurrence of active liver disease in HBsAg carriers living in the Arctic, as well as further research in viral hepatitis A, C, D and E.
