Excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria: The case of Oran Province / Surmortalité pendant la pandémie de COVID-19 en Algérie : le cas de la wilaya d'Oran

Objective: This study aimed to estimate excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Oran between March 2020 and December 2022. Method: Monthly all-cause data used to estimate excess mortality were modeled against the pre-pandemic period (January 2011-February 2020). Excess mortality between March 2020 and December 2022 was estimated using a quasi-Poisson regression. Analyses were stratified by age group. Results: From March 2020 to December 2022, there was a 30% excess mortality rate, corresponding to an average of 112 monthly excess deaths. Observed numbers of deaths were higher than expected for the age groups 20­39, 40­59, 60­79, and 80 and above. The age group 0­19 did not show excess mortality. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a significant increase in all-cause mortality in Oran. Our results highlight the importance of monitoring all-cause excess mortality as an indicator of the disease burden in situations such as the current pandemic.

Objectif: Cette étude avait pour objectif d'estimer la surmortalité pendant la pandémie de la COVID-19 à Oran entre mars 2020 et décembre 2022. Méthodes: Les données mensuelles toutes causes confondues utilisées pour estimer la surmortalité ont été modélisées par rapport à la période pré-pandémique (janvier 2011 à février 2020). La surmortalité entre mars 2020 et décembre 2022 a été estimée à l'aide d'une régression de quasi-Poisson. Les analyses ont été stratifiées par groupes d'âge. Résultats: De mars 2020 à décembre 2022, le taux de surmortalité était de 30 %, correspondant à une moyenne de 112 décès excédentaires mensuels. Le nombre de décès observés était plus élevé que prévu pour les groupes d'âge 20-39 ans, 40-59 ans, 60-79 ans et 80 ans et plus. Le groupe d'âge 0-19 ans n'a pas montré de surmortalité. Conclusion: La pandémie de COVID-19 a été associée à une augmentation significative de la mortalité toutes causes confondues à Oran. Nos résultats mettent en évidence l'importance de surveiller la surmortalité toutes causes confondues en tant qu'indicateur de la charge de morbidité dans des situations telles que la pandémie actuelle.

Expression profile of interleukin-6, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α in women with breast cancer and their association with clinicopathological parameters.

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women worldwide, representing a major public health burden. Therefore, there is a need to identify circulating biomarkers for the early detection of BC and to facilitate the diagnosis. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (HIF-1α) are biomarkers involved in the initiation and progression of this disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of these molecules and to find a possible correlation with the clinicopathological parameters of patients with BC from western Algeria. Material and methods: We evaluated the serum levels of IL-6, 4-HNE, and HIF-1α by ELISA technique and compare them in different age groups and BC molecular subtypes, and then correlated them with clinicopathological parameters. Results: Our study revealed a significant increase in 4-HNE (p < 0.05), and a negative correlation (p < 0.05) was found between IL-6 serum levels and lymph node count, but not (p > 0.05) between 4-HNE, HIF-1α and lymph node count. No significant correlation (p > 0.05) was found between IL-6, 4-HNE, HIF-1α , and Scarff-Bloom-Richardson grade. Furthermore, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in serum levels of IL-6, 4-HNE, and HIF-1α in the different age groups and molecular subtypes of BC. Conclusions: The data obtained show that the presence of lipid peroxidation (4-HNE) is a marker of oxidative stress, and that IL-6 is a good prognostic factor due to its negative effect on the number of lymph nodes. Furthermore, age and BC molecular subtypes do not influence the serum concentrations of IL-6,4-HNE, and HIF-1α.

[Cancer epidemiology in Algeria, 1996-2019]. / Épidémiologie des cancers en Algérie, 1996­2019.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer is a major public health problem in Algeria. The aim of this article was to estimate trends in cancer incidence in Oran, Algeria, over the period 1996-2019. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nine cancer sites were analyzed. Incidence data over the 1996-2019 period were collected from the Oran cancer registry. The annual percent changes in incidence rates were evaluated with Joinpoint analysis. RESULTS: Between 1996 and 2019, unfavorable trends in incidence were observed for lung and colorectal cancers in both sexes, as well as female breast cancer. In contrast, a continuous decrease in incidence rates of cervical cancer were observed. As for the prostate, no corresponding trend was emerged for this cancer. CONCLUSION: The upward trend in incidence rates for some cancers underscores the need to strengthen prevention efforts.

[Overweight and obesity in children aged 6-11 years: prevalence and associated factors in Oran]. / Surpoids et obésité des enfants de six à onze ans : prévalence et facteurs associés à Oran.

INTRODUCTION: Childhood obesity is a major public health problem throughout the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity in school-attending children aged 6-11 years in Oran during the 2010-2011 school year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 2,252 children (1,104 girls and 1,148 boys) aged 6-11 years from nine primary schools in Oran participated in the survey. Obesity and overweight were defined using the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors for overweight and obesity. RESULTS: 13% of the sample were found to be overweight or obese (16.4% of girls vs 10% of boys, p < 10?4). 10% of the sample were overweight (12.4% of girls and 7.7% of boys, p < 10?4). 3.1% of the children were obese (4% of girls and 2.3% of boys, p < 0.05). Using multivariate analysis, overweight was found to be associated with female gender (odds ratio adjusted (ORa) = 1.5), a family history of overweight (ORa = 2.2), living in a single-family home (ORa = 1.5) and skipping breakfast (ORa = 1.8). CONCLUSION: Overweight is not only a problem in industrialized countries, but is also prevalent in developing countries, where measures to reduce overweight and obesity need to be further developed.