Biomedical subjects

J Westerdahl

Publications and source records attributed to J Westerdahl.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Reproducibility of a self-administered questionnaire for assessment of melanoma risk.

BACKGROUND: The reproducibility of a self-administered questionnaire on different epidemiological variables was examined in a random sample of a cohort of healthy women from the South Swedish Health Care Region. An identical questionnaire has previously been used for assessment of melanoma risk, in a population-based, matched, case-control study from the same region. METHODS: Repeat questionnaires were completed on two occasions, 1-3 years apart, by 670 randomly selected subjects. In addition, exposure data from a case-control study were used to estimate the effect of misclassification. RESULTS: Overall, there was a fair to good consistency between the answers on the two occasions for the various epidemiological variables. Exposure variables identified as risk factors for melanoma development were reasonably reproducible. The estimated proportion of agreement, A, ranged from 0.74 to 0.92, the average correct classification rate (assuming common sensitivity and specificity), pi, was > or = 0.85 and the kappa coefficient, kappa, ranged between 0.52 and 0.83. However, the question on number of raised naevi on the arm was an exception since it had a lower test-retest reliability (A = 0.62, pi = 0.77, kappa = 0.40). When using data from the case-control study, the effect of the estimated random misclassification was found to only slightly bias odds ratios toward one. CONCLUSION: Our questionnaire, used for assessment for melanoma risk, provided information with fair to good test-retest reliability, and corrected odds ratios were found to be only slightly higher than observed odds ratios.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Is the use of sunscreens a risk factor for malignant melanoma?

The relation between use of sunscreens, different host factors and malignant melanoma was investigated in a population-based, matched case-control study of malignant melanoma in the South Swedish Health Care Region, which has the highest risk for melanoma in Sweden, between 1 July 1988 and 30 June 1990. In total, 400 melanoma patients and 640 healthy controls aged 15-75 years answered a comprehensive questionnaire regarding different epidemiologic variables, including questions on use of sunscreens and different constitutional factors. The use of sunscreens was not found to protect against developing malignant melanoma. Instead, an unexpected relation between the use of sunscreens and the risk of developing malignant melanoma was seen (odds ratio (OR) 1.8 for almost always vs never using sunscreens). A tentative dose-response relation was found. Virtually the same ORs were seen in both sexes. Furthermore, persons younger than 50 years had a higher OR than persons older than 50 years. When different melanoma presentation sites were considered, lesions of the trunk were associated with sunscreen use in females (adjusted OR = 3.7 for almost always vs never using sunscreens), while lesions of the extremity or head and neck were associated with sunscreen use in males (adjusted OR = 3.2 for almost always vs never using sunscreens). Raised naevi on the left arm and freckling were shown to be the major constitutional risk factors (OR = 3.9 for more than three naevi vs none and OR = 1.4, respectively). The results were essentially unaltered in a histopathologically re-examined material. Further investigations are needed in order to form a basis for melanoma prevention.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Use of sunbeds or sunlamps and malignant melanoma in southern Sweden.

In a population-based, matched case-control study from the South Swedish Health Care Region, which has the highest risk for melanoma in Sweden, the relation between the use of sunbeds or sunlamps and malignant melanoma was investigated. Between July 1, 1988, and June 30, 1990, a total of 400 melanoma patients and 640 healthy controls aged 15-75 years answered a comprehensive questionnaire containing different epidemiologic variables. Questions regarding the use of sunbeds or sunlamps were included. The odds ratio for developing malignant melanoma after ever having used sunbeds or sunlamps was 1.3. Considering all age groups, the odds ratio was significantly elevated after exposure more than 10 times a year to sunbeds or sunlamps (odds ratio (OR) = 1.8). When the study was restricted to patients and controls younger than age 30 years because the use of tanning devices is much more common among young persons, the odds ratio was higher (OR = 7.7 for more than 10 times a year vs. none). These findings were independent of constitutional factors and factors regarding sun exposure. A dose-response relation was evident. Furthermore, among melanoma patients in this young age group, the ratio of females to males was significantly higher than in older patients. When different melanoma presentation sites were considered, only lesions of the trunk were significantly associated with sunbed or sunlamp use (OR = 4.2 for more than 10 times a year vs. none).

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Cutaneous malignant melanoma in south Sweden 1965, 1975, and 1985. A histopathologic review.

BACKGROUND: There is an increase in the incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) among white people throughout the world. In Sweden, a fivefold increase has been recorded since 1960, but the mortality is rising at a much lower rate. Tumor thickness is the single most important prognostic factor for primary melanoma. This study aimed to clarify whether the thickness of the tumor in invasive CMM decreased during the period 1965-1985. METHODS: This population-based study identified 574 cases of CMM, both invasive and noninvasive, in the South Swedish Health Care Region in 1965, 1975, and 1985. Twenty-six cases were excluded because the collection or evaluation of the material was not possible. The remaining 548 cases were reviewed histopathologically, and a diagnosis of invasive CMM was rejected in 71 cases. Eventually, 467 cases of invasive melanoma remained in our study (70 in 1965, 124 in 1975, and 273 in 1985). The level of invasion, tumor thickness, regression, ulceration, presence of inflammatory cells, benign naevus cells, and the site of presentation were studied. RESULTS: The study found neither a significant decrease of tumor thickness of invasive CMM nor changes in the level of invasion or proportion of ulcerated melanoma. A significantly higher proportion of melanoma tumors containing benign naevus cells was seen throughout the years (P < 0.05). Women had significantly fewer inflammatory cells in their tumors than did men (P < 0.01). As expected, the anatomical site of presentation showed a significant sex-related difference, with more tumors on the legs of female patients and more on the trunk of male patients (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a divergence between the rapidly increasing incidence and the slower increase in mortality of CMM. This cannot be explained by a removal of the melanoma at a thinner thickness. Differences between the sexes according to the tumor site and the increasing rate of CMM containing benign naevus cells could implicate changes in the tumor biology. Public education in Sweden concerning ultraviolet radiation and the connection with melanoma is fairly new and might not have any influence on this time period. Additional investigation is needed to clarify this matter.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

At what age do sunburn episodes play a crucial role for the development of malignant melanoma.

The age relationship between sunburns and malignant melanoma was investigated in a population-based, matched, case-control study from the South Swedish Health Care Region (the highest risk area for melanoma in Sweden). Between 1988 and 1990, a total of 400 patients with a first diagnosis of malignant melanoma and 640 healthy controls aged 15-75 years answered a comprehensive questionnaire including questions regarding ultraviolet radiation exposure. In addition, a literature review was performed. The average number of episodes of sunburn per year was significantly associated with malignant melanoma (relative risk, RR = 1.9 for > or = three episodes per year versus never). Outdoor employment during the summer was associated with a decreased risk for the development of malignant melanoma (RR = 0.8). Data from case-control studies and migration studies concerning age relationship between sunburns and melanoma are inconsistent. From our own data, we did not find a higher risk of melanoma developed in individuals who had experienced severe sunburns in childhood. Instead, a significantly increased risk was associated with sunburns after age 19 years, RR = 2.2 for a history of more than five times versus never. Even if the hypothesis is biologically plausible, that episodes of sunburn early in life are associated with a higher risk of melanoma, so far epidemiological evidence is scarce. There is a need for better prospective epidemiological studies addressing this issue.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Recurrence of exocrine pancreatic cancer--local or hepatic?

The results of radical surgery for pancreatic cancer depend, like all other cancer surgery, on the technique used, and the biology of the disease. We have analysed the site and time of recurrence after pancreatectomy for exocrine pancreatic cancer in 74 patients who died more than six months postoperatively. All patients had recurrent disease, 64 patients had local recurrence in the pancreatic bed and 68 had liver metastases. Local recurrence without liver metastases was found in six patients, and ten had liver metastases, but no local recurrence. Both the time from operation to clinically evident recurrence and the postoperative survival time were significantly longer for patients with local recurrence only. Although not statistically significant, there was a tendency (5 out of 8) for smaller, well-differentiated tumors without spread outside the pancreas to be associated with local recurrences without liver metastases. We conclude that, in retrospect, the surgical procedures used were inappropriate and inadequate. To cure these patients, a more radical operation and/or effective adjuvant treatment is needed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Southern travelling habits with special reference to tumour site in Swedish melanoma patients.

Southern travelling habits were recorded for 127 melanoma patients from southern parts of Sweden (the 56th latitude), 55 thyroid cancer patients, 100 non-Hodgkin's patients and 794 healthy controls from the same region. Melanoma patients were found to travel significantly more often south of the 45th latitude, as compared with patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or thyroid carcinoma (RR = 2.2 for a difference of + 10 trips), and with the healthy controls (RR = 1.4 for a difference of + 10 trips). Considering men and women separately, the difference was significant only for men. Patients with melanoma had a higher educational level than the tumour controls and the healthy controls (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). There was a significant correlation between high travelling frequency and high education. An increased risk related to southern travelling was present for patients with melanoma on the extremities and head and neck, as well as for patients with truncal melanoma. These findings support the concept that acute exposure to sunburn may be a risk factor for malignant melanoma.

Adult↗