Prevalence and Incidence of Osteoarthritis: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study.

While trends data of osteoarthritis (OA) are accumulating, primarily from Western Europe and the US, a gap persists in the knowledge of OA epidemiology in Middle Eastern populations. This study aimed to explore the prevalence, incidence, correlations, and temporal trends of OA in Israel during 2013-2018, using a nationally representative primary care database. On 31 December 2018, a total of 180,126 OA patients were identified, representing a point prevalence of 115.3 per 1000 persons (95% CI, 114.8-115.8 per 1000 persons). Geographically, OA prevalence was not uniformly distributed, with the Southern and Northern peripheral districts having a higher prevalence than the rest of the Israeli regions. OA incidence increased over time from 7.36 per 1000 persons (95% CI 6.21-7.50 per 1000 persons) in 2013 to 8.23 per 1000 persons (95% CI 8.09-8.38 per 1000 persons) in 2017 (p-value for trend = 0.02). The incidence was lowest in patients under 60 years (in both sexes) and peaked at 60-70 years. In older ages, the incidence leveled off in men and declined in women. The growing risk of OA warrants a greater attention to timely preventive and therapeutic interventions. Further population-based studies in the Middle East are needed to identify modifiable risk factors for timely preventive and therapeutic interventions.

Work Transitions in Breast Cancer Survivors and Effects on Quality of Life.

Purpose Work transitions among breast cancer survivors remain an underexplored area. We aimed to examine prevalence and determinants of changes in work status, and the effect of these changes on quality of life of breast cancer survivors. Methods A cross-sectional study of 410 female breast cancer survivors randomly drawn from a larger study sample pool (n = 2644), members of "Leumit" healthcare fund, who were diagnosed with primary nonmetastatic invasive breast cancer in the years 2002-2012. The study questionnaire included questions on work characteristics and health-related quality-of-life and was completed by all women contacted. Work transition was defined as a downgrade (from full-time to part-time), termination, or retirement, and was contrasted to no change in work status (retention of full-time or part-time). Work transition was assessed at two intervals: between breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, and between breast cancer diagnosis and time of the survey. Results A total of 206 breast cancer survivors (50%) were employed prior to their diagnosis, of whom 12% stopped working, and 79% downgraded to part-time during treatment. At the time of survey (mean 8 ± 3 years post-diagnosis), 33% of those employed prior to their diagnosis stopped working or retired, 48% downgraded to part-time, and 19% had no change in their work situation. Work transition between diagnosis and time of the survey was significantly associated with poorer quality-of-life. In multivariable analyses, work transition between diagnosis and time of the survey was positively associated with being immigrant compared to native-born Israeli (odds ratio (OR) 4.65; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.91-11.37; P = .001), and inversely with education level of college or over compared to high school or less (OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.09-0.86; P = .026). Conclusions Breast cancer survivors with characteristics pointing at underprivileged social circumstances more often experienced changes in work status after surviving breast cancer, irrespective of diagnosis, comorbidity or treatment. Breast cancer patients with immigrant status and/or lower educational attainment need more support to be able to keep their job.

Risk of cardiovascular disease after radiotherapy in survivors of breast cancer: A case-cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The current investigation examined the association between chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in breast cancer survivors. METHODS: A case-cohort study was conducted, based on 2165 female breast cancer survivors recruited from "Leumit" healthcare fund, who were diagnosed with primary nonmetastatic invasive breast cancer between 2002 and 2012. A 20% random subcohort was sampled at baseline, and all CVD cases were identified. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by weighted Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Of 2165 breast cancer survivors, 466 developed CVD over a mean follow-up of 5.7 years. The crude cumulative incidence of CVD accounting for death as a competing risk was 33.6% (95% CI, 29.6-37.6%) at 13 years of follow-up. Lifestyle components, collected post-CVD incidence, indicated a higher prevalence of poor nutrition and physical inactivity in CVD patients. In multivariable analyses, CVD was positively associated with radiotherapy without chemotherapy compared to no radiotherapy or chemotherapy (HR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.17-7.38; p=.022), outpatient visits (HR per average 10-annual visits, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.50-2.31; p<.001), employment transition between breast cancer diagnosis and treatment: job loss versus no change (HR, 29.62; 95% CI, 12.72-68.97; p<.001), and inversely associated with education (HR per 1-year increment, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75-0.94; p=.003). CONCLUSIONS: Radiotherapy administered as an adjuvant treatment for breast cancer elevates the risk of CVD. Preventive strategies should be directed to surveillance for radiotherapy-related CVD dysfunction. Efforts should also address lifestyle modifications and occupational rehabilitation in patients at a high risk of CVD.

Diabetes After Hormone Therapy in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Case-Cohort Study.

Purpose Breast cancer treatments have been associated with an increased risk of multiple health-related adverse outcomes, but the relationship with diabetes remains unclear. This study investigated the association between hormone therapy and diabetes risk in breast cancer survivors. Patients and Methods We performed a case-cohort study of 2,246 female survivors recruited from the Leumit health care fund who were diagnosed with primary nonmetastatic invasive breast cancer in 2002 through 2012. A 20% random subcohort was sampled at baseline, and all diabetes cases were identified. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs were estimated by weighted Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results Of 2,246 breast cancer survivors, 324 developed diabetes over a mean follow-up of 5.9 years. The crude cumulative incidence of diabetes that accounted for death as a competing risk was 20.9% (95% CI, 18.3% to 23.7%). In multivariable-adjusted models, hormone therapy was associated with increased diabetes risk (HR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.26 to 4.55; P = .008). The hazard for tamoxifen use (HR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.19 to 4.26; P = .013) was less pronounced than the use of aromatase inhibitors (HR, 4.27, 95% CI, 1.42 to 12.84; P = .010). Conclusion Active hormone therapy is a significant risk factor of diabetes among breast cancer survivors. Although cessation of treatment is not recommended because the survival benefits of hormone therapy outweigh the risks, preventive strategies aimed at lifestyle modifications may minimize the risk.

Chronic pain and other symptoms among breast cancer survivors: prevalence, predictors, and effects on quality of life.

PURPOSE: To investigate prevalence and risk factors associated with self-reported chronic pain, and other symptoms related to breast cancer or its treatment among breast cancer survivors (BCS). METHODS: A cross-sectional study of a random sample of 410 female BCS, members of "Leumit" healthcare fund, diagnosed with primary nonmetastatic invasive breast cancer in the years 2002-2012. The study questionnaire included questions on health-related quality of life, pain symptoms, and was completed by all women contacted. RESULTS: A total of 305 BCS (74%), with a median of 7.4 years since diagnosis reported chronic pain, of whom 84% had moderate pain, and 97% experienced pain at least 1-3 days/week. Other symptoms were paresthesia (63%), allodynia (48%), and phantom sensations (15%). Report of pain symptoms, alone or combined, was significantly associated with poorer quality of life. In multivariable analyses, chronic pain was positively associated with mastectomy compared to breast-conserving surgery [Odds ratio (OR), 3.54; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46-8.59; P = 0.005], radiotherapy compared to non-radiotherapy (OR 2.96; 95% CI 1.43-6.12; P = 0.003), breast cancer stage at diagnosis-regional versus localized (OR 3.63; 95% CI 2.00-6.57; P < 0.001), and inversely with age (OR per one-year increment, 0.96; 95% CI 0.94-0.99; P = 0.002), and with time since diagnosis (OR per one-year increment, 0.82; 95% CI 0.75-0.90; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: With the increasing incidence of detected breast cancer and the improvements in treatment and consequently survival, knowledge about prevalence, and factors related to treatment late effects of chronic pain is highly relevant for potential prevention or management without negatively impacting quality of life.

A feasibility study to assess the validity of administrative data sources and self-reported information of breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Cancer survivorship has increasingly become the focus of research due to progress in early detection and advancements in the therapeutic approach, but high-quality information sources for outcomes, potential confounders and personal characteristics present a challenge. Few studies have collected breast cancer care data from mixed data sources and validated them, and to the best of our knowledge, none so far have been conducted in Israel, where National Health Insurance Law assures universal health care, delivered through four health care funds with computerized administrative, pharmaceutical and medical databases. This validation study is aimed to assess the accuracy and completeness of information on cancer care and health outcomes using several research tools, before embarking on a full-scale study aimed to evaluate the long-term treatment-related health adverse outcomes in a cohort of breast cancer survivors. METHODS: One hundred twenty randomly sampled female patients diagnosed with primary breast cancer in years 2000-2010 in northern Israel, who are members of the "Leumit" healthcare fund, were included. Data sources included "Leumit" medical records, the National Cancer Registry and a self-report questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed by 99 % of the women contacted. The accuracy of the information regarding cancer care was assessed with the reference standard set as one of the research tools, varying per the characteristic being under investigation. For example: health outcomes and medical history were validated against "Leumit" medical records, while construct validity of the self-reported questionnaire served to assess the prevalence of chronic pain. Agreement, predictive values, correlations, and internal consistency were calculated. Logistic regression models were constructed to assess potential predictors of correct responses. RESULTS: The overall level of agreement (Kappa) was almost perfect for demographics and outcomes, above 0.8 for treatments and chronic pain, while only fair to moderate for most of the self-reported medical history. Correct responses of medical history were associated with Jewish ethnicity, recency of breast cancer diagnosis, and family history of cardiovascular disease. The internal consistency of the quality-of-life scale was above 0.9. CONCLUSION: In the absence of a national registry for cancer care, a mixed methodology for data collection is the most complete source. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration number Not available. This is an observational study with prospective data collection and no intervention; therefore, trial registration number is not required.

Determinants of adherence to evidence-based therapy after acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The extent to which drug adherence may be affected by patient characteristics remains unclear. This study investigated potential determinants of adherence to evidence-based cardioprotective medications in patients with acute myocardial infarction. DESIGN: Patient-based retrospective cohort study of 4655 elderly one-year survivors of acute myocardial infarction, members of a health organization in Israel, between 2005 and 2010. METHODS: All patients filled at least one prescription for any key medication. Adherence was measured using the proportion-of-days-covered (PDC) metric and defined as PDC ≥ 80%. RESULTS: Nonadherence to aspirin, ß-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers or statins approximated 50%, and 80% for combined therapy of all medications. In multivariable analyses, compared with nonadherents to all medications, adherers to at least one medication were more likely to be of Jewish origin (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 2.11; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.60-2.78), inhabitants of the central or northern districts, and attending a cardiologist at least once during the first year of follow-up (AOR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.05-1.51). Increasing number of outpatient visits was associated with improved adherence and followed a significant dose-response gradient. Factors significantly associated with reduced adherence were presence of comorbid conditions, particularly chronic ischemic heart disease (AOR 0.69; 95% CI, 0.57-0.83) and readmissions (AOR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.55-0.78). Results were consistent when evaluating adherence to each medication separately. CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient adherence to recommended therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction is suboptimal and is related to health services utilization. Further research is needed to investigate patient subjective behavioral-related drivers for medication therapy discontinuation after myocardial infarction in the absence of a clinical reason.

Effect of adherence to evidence-based therapy after acute myocardial infarction on all-cause mortality.

PURPOSE: Our aim is to estimate the effect of nonadherence to evidence-based cardioprotective medications on all-cause mortality in survivors of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: A patient-based retrospective cohort study of 1-year survivors of AMI, members of a health organization in Israel, between 2005 and 2010 was used. Adherence was measured using the proportion-of-days-covered metric and defined as a proportion of days covered ≥80%. In order to determine the independent impact of medication nonadherence on all-cause mortality, Cox proportional hazards models were constructed, adjusting for patient demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Of 4655 patients prescribed at least one medication, 864 died during an 8-year follow-up (median 4.5 years). Except for beta-blockers, medication nonadherence was significantly associated with increased adjusted all-cause mortality risk for aspirin [hazard ratio (HR), 1.28; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11-1.47], statins (HR, 1.36; 95%CI, 1.18-1.57), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers only among ischemic heart disease patients with documented heart failure (HR, 1.57; 95%CI, 1.16-2.14). Multidrug-combined therapy exerted incremental survival benefit in a dose-response gradient, exceeding that of single-component treatment. The highest risk of mortality was observed in patients adherent to none of the medications compared with adherents to all medications, with a 38% increase in risk of mortality (HR, 1.38; 95%CI, 1.06-1.80). CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient nonadherence to evidence-based cardioprotective medications in patients with AMI is common, and in the case of aspirin, statin or combined therapy is associated with a marked risk increase in all-cause mortality. Further research is needed to elucidate the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker in patient subgroups.