Improving Data Validity at Population-Based Cancer Registry through Trace-Back of Death Certificates: A Concrete Experience in Argentina.

The validity of data provided by population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) is a key aspect in cancer surveillance. Tracing back cases initially reported by death certificate or death-certificate-notified (DCN) cases, improves data quality and has an especially significant impact on survival estimates. The present study performed in the Mendoza PBCR describes the trace-back procedure of cancer cases notified by death certificate for selected cancers (liver, lung, and stomach cancers) with the aim of reducing the percentage of cases diagnosed by death certificate only (DCO). The study was performed in 2018 using cancers diagnosed between 2006 and 2012 in the framework of a survival project (SURVCAN-3). Among the 822 cases that have been traced back, only 32.1% had an identified source of information. Of these, 70.3% had medical records available for review. Of the reviewed medical records, 86.9% of cancer diagnoses were confirmed. The DCN and DCO cases were much higher among older age groups. With the trace-back, the overall percentage of DCO was reduced from 23.8% to 19.9%. We conclude that DCN trace-back could improve data quality by reducing DCO diagnoses, which directly impacts survival estimates. Trace-back should be performed routinely and in a timely manner.

Factors related to the development of health-promoting community activities in Spanish primary healthcare: two case-control studies.

OBJECTIVE: Spanish primary healthcare teams have the responsibility of performing health-promoting community activities (CAs), although such activities are not widespread. Our aim was to identify the factors related to participation in those activities. DESIGN: Two case-control studies. SETTING: Performed in primary care of five Spanish regions. SUBJECTS: In the first study, cases were teams that performed health-promoting CAs and controls were those that did not. In the second study (on case teams from the first study), cases were professionals who developed these activities and controls were those who did not. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Team, professional and community characteristics collected through questionnaires (team managers/professionals) and from secondary sources. RESULTS: The first study examined 203 teams (103 cases, 100 controls). Adjusted factors associated with performing CAs were percentage of nurses (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.14), community socioeconomic status (higher vs lower OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.95) and performing undergraduate training (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.93). In the second study, 597 professionals responded (254 cases, 343 controls). Adjusted factors were professional classification (physicians do fewer activities than nurses and social workers do more), training in CAs (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.1), team support (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5 to 5.7), seniority (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.09), nursing tutor (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.5), motivation (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.8 to 7.5), collaboration with non-governmental organisations (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.1) and participation in neighbourhood activities (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.9 to 5.1). CONCLUSIONS: Professional personal characteristics, such as social sensitivity, profession, to feel team support or motivation, have influence in performing health-promoting CAs. In contrast to the opinion expressed by many professionals, workload is not related to performance of health-promoting CAs.

[Gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Analysis of 40 cases]. / Tumores del estroma gastrointestinal. Análisis de 40 casos.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors represent less than 3% of all digestive tumors. They are primarily located in the stomach and the small intestine. The curative treatment is surgical resection. In the case of unresectable tumor or advanced disease, imatinib is the treatment of choice. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the characteristics of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors treated at our institution in the period 2000-2015. We analyzed 40 consecutive patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (mean age 58-year old, range 33-84). The mean 5-year survival was 30.5%. At diagnosis, 30 patients had localized disease (75%); 14 of them received adjuvant imatinib and 15 follow-up on observation. In this group the disease-free interval was 55 months. In patients with advanced disease, the progression-free interval was 30 months.

Tumores del estroma gastrointestinal: Análisis de 40 casos / Gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Analysis of 40 cases

Los tumores del estroma gastrointestinal representan menos del 3% de los tumores digestivos. Se localizan principalmente en el estómago y el intestino delgado. El tratamiento radical es la resección quirúrgica. Cuando son inoperables o diseminados la administración de imatinib es el tratamiento de elección. La finalidad de este estudio retrospectivo fue describir las características de los pacientes con tumores del estroma gastrointestinal atendidos en nuestra institución en el período 2000-2015. Fueron analizados los casos de 40 pacientes consecutivos con diagnóstico de tumor del estroma gastrointestinal (edad media 58 años, rango 33-84). La supervivencia media a 5 años del total de pacientes fue 30.5%. Al diagnóstico, 30 (75%) tenían enfermedad localizada; de estos, 14 recibieron imatinib adyuvante y 15 seguimiento en observación. En este grupo, el intervalo libre de enfermedad fue 55 meses. En aquellos con enfermedad diseminada, el intervalo libre de progresión fue 30 meses.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors represent less than 3% of all digestive tumors. They are primarily located in the stomach and the small intestine. The curative treatment is surgical resection. In the case of unresectable tumor or advanced disease, imatinib is the treatment of choice. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the characteristics of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors treated at our institution in the period 2000-2015. We analyzed 40 consecutive patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (mean age 58-year old, range 33-84). The mean 5-year survival was 30.5%. At diagnosis, 30 patients had localized disease (75%); 14 of them received adjuvant imatinib and 15 follow-up on observation. In this group the disease-free interval was 55 months. In patients with advanced disease, the progression-free interval was 30 months.

The burden of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Central and South America.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: The burden of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has increased in some Central and South American countries. We describe the current patterns and trends in NHL incidence and mortality in Central and South America. METHODS: We obtained regional- and national-level incidence data from 48 population-based cancer registries in 13 countries, and national-level cancer mortality data from the WHO mortality database for 18 countries. We estimated world population age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) and mortality rates (ASMRs) per 100,000 person-years for 2003-2007, and presented distributions by histological subtype. RESULTS: NHL incidence and mortality rates varied between countries by 2-8- and 6-fold, respectively. ASRs per 100,000 ranged from 1.4 to 10.9 among males and 1.3-9.2 among females. Corresponding ASMRs were between 0.5 and 4.8 among males and between 0.5 and 3.0 among females. The highest incidence was observed in Uruguay (males), Ecuador, Peru and Colombia (males). The highest mortality was seen in Uruguay and Costa Rica. Trends in NHL incidence and mortality in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Costa Rica did not show marked changes. B-cell neoplasms and NHL not otherwise specified (NOS) accounted for 44% and 34% of all NHL cases. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, NOS, was the most frequent histological subtype. CONCLUSION: The geographic variations in NHL rates may partially reflect differences in registration practices, disease classification, diagnostic practice, and death certification quality. There is a need for high-quality data and improvements in the accuracy of NHL histological diagnosis. Given the expected increase in NHL, careful monitoring of rates remains a priority to guide cancer control programs.

Observational study on factors related to health-promoting community activity development in primary care (frAC Project): a study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: According to Spanish health regulations, primary care professionals have the responsibility to carry out health-promoting community activities (CAs). However, in practice, their implementation is not as widespread as it should be. The aims of this study were to identify factors within the team, the community and the professionals that influence the development of these activities and to describe the community interventions in progress. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study is an observational analytical retrospective study. The information will be collected from five Spanish regions: Catalonia, Madrid, the Balearic Islands, Navarra and Aragón. The authors will contact primary care teams (PCTs) and identify the CAs from the previous year. The research team will conduct a peer review whether the inclusion criteria are met. In the health centres where CAs are implemented, the authors will select professionals carrying them out and randomly select an identical number of professionals not doing these activities. In the centres where no CA is implemented, three professionals will be randomly selected. The selected professionals will complete the questionnaires for individual-level variables. Information about the registered population and the PCTs will be collected through questionnaires and secondary sources. OUTCOMES: Variables will be collected from the community, the PCTs, the individual professionals and CAs. ANALYSIS: A descriptive analysis of all the variables will be carried out, along with a bivariate and a logistic regression analysis, with CAs being the primary outcome. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Jordi Gol y Gurina Foundation in Barcelona and area 11 in Madrid. The questionnaire distributed to the professionals will be anonymous.