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P Boyle

Publications and source records attributed to P Boyle.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Trends of oral cancer mortality among females worldwide.

Oral cancer incidence and/or mortality has been reported to be currently increasing in several countries, particularly those of central and eastern Europe. Most of these reports pertain to men, although increases in incidence among women also have been found. In this report, data from twenty-four countries in the World Health Organization's mortality database are analyzed. The widespread increase observed in oral cancer mortality among men is not occurring in women. Nevertheless, increases have occurred in several countries in Europe, and oral-cancer death rates--especially in central and eastern Europe--are likely to increase further if tobacco smoking, in particular, becomes more popular among younger women.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Rising trends of oral cancer mortality among males worldwide: the return of an old public health problem.

Oral cancer is considered widely to be a form of cancer whose etiology is well understood and which is becoming relatively rare in developed countries. There have been, however, a series of recent reports indicating that after many years of declining risk, the rates may be rising again in men. To investigate the extent of such changes, national time-series of oral-cancer mortality data available in the World Health Organization's mortality database have been analyzed. Age-period-cohort modeling was used to establish the extent and nature of these changes and to allow comparisons among countries. Nineteen out of 24 national datasets demonstrate a similar pattern of recent increasing cohort-effects for oral cancer in men. The largest increases have occurred in countries of central and eastern Europe where rates have increased by a factor of from three to 10 within a generation. The cohort-based nature of the changes observed in men suggest that there will be a continuing increase in the absolute numbers of cases of oral cancer to be treated in the coming decades.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Trends in cancer mortality in young adults in Europe, 1955-1989.

Trends in mortality in the age group 20-44 years for the 16 most common cancers or groups of cancer in young adults are presented for 24 European countries (i.e. those with > or = 1,000,000 inhabitants). The largest (up to 9-fold) and most frequent increases were recorded for cancer of the mouth and pharynx (> or = 2-fold increase from 1955-1959 to 1985-1989 in 10 countries), and oesophagus (in eight countries) in males, and for cancer of the skin, chiefly of melanomatous type, in males and females (in nine and eight countries, respectively). Consistent declines were observed for cancer of the stomach and uterus (chiefly, cervix), and for Hodgkin's disease, most notably in northern European countries. Little change emerged in the last 30 years or so in young adult mortality rates for cancer of the colon-rectum, pancreas, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukaemias and cancers of the breast and ovaries in women. More than 2-fold elevations in lung cancer mortality rates in men aged 20-44 years were found only in a few previously non-market economy countries, and in Spain and Portugal. In some northern European countries, favourable downward trends in young males were accompanied by more than 2-fold increases in lung cancer mortality rates in young women. Overall, total cancer mortality rates in women at aged 20-44 years have declined over the last 35 years by more than 20% in 12 countries, and have not increased anywhere. Total cancer mortality rates in young males showed similar decreases in nine northern European countries, but increases of the same magnitude were also observed in most formerly non-market economy countries, and in Spain and Portugal.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Results of an epidemiological survey using a modified American Urological Association symptom index for benign prostatic hyperplasia in France.

The prevalence of urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia was studied in a community-based, nationwide, representative sample of 2,011 French men 50 to 80 years old. Symptoms were assessed by the American Urological Association symptom index. After exclusion of patients with prostate cancer, 6.9% of the subjects reported having undergone prostate surgery. Among the surgery-free subjects, nocturia and repeat voiding within 2 hours were the most prevalent symptoms. Based on the American Urological Association symptom index, 18.8% of the men were considered free of urinary symptoms, and 67%, 13% and 1.2%, respectively, ranked between 1 and 7, 8 and 19, and 20 or more. The proportion of men scoring greater than 7 approximately doubled with each decade of age. Our estimation indicated that in 1992 approximately 1.14 million French men had moderate to severe urinary symptoms that were likely to be associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Previous studies had yielded higher prevalence estimates, probably due to differences in sampling design and diagnostic criteria.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Epidemiological features of gastric and oesophageal cancers in Slovakia.

Data from Slovakia were analysed to determine whether, in accordance with observations made in western Europe and the United States, there is an increasing occurrence of tumours around the oesophagogastric junction. However, the increase in oesophageal cancers in this area was found to be attributable to squamous cell carcinomas. This is in keeping with observations made in central and eastern Europe of an increase in the incidence of tobacco- and alcohol-related cancers.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

The association of fat and other macronutrients with breast cancer: a case-control study from Greece.

The Greek diet is characterized by a high total fat but low saturated fat intake. In a hospital-based case-control study of female breast cancer conducted in Athens (1989-91), 820 patients with confirmed cancer of the breast were compared with 795 orthopaedic patient controls and 753 hospital visitor controls, matched to the cases by age and interviewer. Diet was ascertained through a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire; macronutrient intakes were estimated from the nutrient content of a selected typical portion size for each specified food item, summed for all items. Logistic regression was used to analyse the data, controlling for demographic and reproductive risk factors for breast cancer as well as for total energy intake and mutual confounding influences among nutrients. There was no significant or suggestive association of total protein, total fat, categories of fat or total carbohydrates with breast cancer risk. Thus, the mutually adjusted relative risk per quintile and (in parenthesis) 95% confidence interval were: for protein, 1.06 (0.94-1.20); saturated fat, 0.99 (0.89-1.11); monounsaturated fat, 0.97 (0.88-1.07), polyunsaturated fat, 1.05 (0.97-1.13); and total carbohydrates, 1.03 (0.94-1.12). In alternative analytical approaches only total protein appeared to be positively associated to the occurrence of breast cancer with some consistency, but the results were far from statistically significant. These findings do not support a role for fat or other energy-generating nutrients in the aetiology of breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1994

A case-control study of diabetes mellitus and cancer risk.

The relationship between diabetes mellitus and cancer risk was investigated using data from an integrated series of case-control studies conducted in Northern Italy between 1983 and 1992. Cases were 9,991 patients with incident, histologically confirmed neoplasms below age 75, including 181 cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx, 316 of the oesophagus, 723 of the stomach, 828 of the colon, 498 of the rectum, 320 of the liver, 58 of the gall bladder, 362 of the pancreas, 242 of the larynx, 3,415 of the breast, 726 of the endometrium, 971 of the ovary, 125 of the prostate, 431 of the bladder, 187 of the kidney, 208 of the thyroid, 80 Hodgkin's lymphomas, 200 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and 120 multiple myelomas. Controls were 7,834 subjects in hospital for acute, non-neoplastic, non-metabolic, non-hormone-related disorders. A history of diabetes was reported by 5.1% of male and 5.4% of female controls. Significantly elevated relative risks (RRs) among subjects with diabetes were observed for cancers of the liver [RR = 2.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0-3.9], pancreas (RR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.5-2.9) and endometrium (RR 3.4, 95% CI 2.7-4.3). After allowance for obesity and education as well as age and sex, the RRs were 3.0 for liver, 2.3 for pancreas, and 2.8 for endometrium. Diabetic subjects had no elevated risk for any of the other cancer sites considered. For liver and endometrial cancer the RRs remained elevated up to 10 years after diagnosis of diabetes (RR 2.6 and 2.0 respectively), while the RR for pancreatic cancer declined from 3.2 in the first 5 years after diagnosis of diabetes to 2.3 from 5 to 9 years and to 1.3 (95% CI 0.7-2.3) 10 or more years since diagnosis. This suggests that the relationship between diabetes mellitus and liver and endometrial cancer is probably real, while that with pancreatic cancer is compatible with diabetes being an early symptom of the disease, or at least of preneoplastic lesions.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

Some statistical considerations in the analysis of case-control studies when the exposure variables are continuous measurements.

This paper focuses on some statistical considerations in the estimation of dose-response in case-control studies when the exposure variables are continuous measurements. The first point is that the effects of differential variability in the exposure distributions over cases and controls cannot be differentiated from a true quadratic risk model. The second point is that when dealing with variables where zero denotes no exposure, it is important to treat the unexposed subjects separately from those who were exposed. Failure to do so can lead to differential variability among cases and controls and the resulting confounding with a quadratic risk model. Both of these points are illustrated by an example.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1994

Gastrectomy and subsequent risk of oesophageal cancer in Milan.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To analyse quantitatively the relationship between gastrectomy and oesophageal cancer risk. DESIGN: This was a case-control study, based on a structured questionnaire that included a problem-oriented medical history. SETTING: A network of hospitals in the Greater Milan area between 1984 and 1992. SUBJECTS: Subjects were 316 incident, histologically confirmed cases of oesophageal cancer (258 males and 58 females), and 1408 controls (1031 males, 377 females), admitted to hospital for acute, non-neoplastic, non-digestive tract conditions. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Relative risks (RR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for age and sex, plus area of residence, education, tobacco, and alcohol consumption. There was an association of borderline significance of oesophageal cancer with gastric ulcer (RR = 1.6), but not with duodenal ulcer (RR = 0.9). Among cases, 25 (7.9%) reported a history of gastrectomy, versus 29 (2.1%) of the controls. The corresponding multivariate RR was 3.8 (95% CI 2.0, 7.0). The RR of oesophageal cancer was significantly raised (RR = 3.6) within 20 years after gastrectomy, and the association seemed stronger with increasing time since gastrectomy (RR = 4.2). CONCLUSIONS: Since gastrectomy may cause gastric hypoacidity and favour oesophageal reflux, and hence oesophagitis, the results of this study, if confirmed, are of interest to a better understanding of the mechanisms of oesophageal carcinogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Epidemiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia: risk factors and concomitance with hypertension.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition. Eighty-eight per cent of autopsy specimens from men aged over 80 years have been shown to have histological BPH. It is the cause of the commonest surgical procedure in older men (3 men in 10 may ultimately undergo prostatectomy). Despite its being such a common occurrence, little is known with any certainty about the epidemiology of BPH. The incidence, even the population prevalence, is difficult to determine for a variety of reasons. Knowledge of risk factors is sparse, and analytical epidemiological studies of BPH are difficult to conduct. Case-control studies are problematic, in that a control group may be difficult to define and a large proportion of the control group may have undiagnosed BPH. There have been reports of associations between BPH and hypertension, but there is no consistent suggestion that such an association could be causal. However, given the frequent occurrence of both conditions in ageing men, a large proportion of men may well have both diseases. With the increase in the number of men now reaching older ages it is clear that BPH, as well as hypertension, will continue to have a substantial and increasing influence in terms of morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. The need for high-quality epidemiological information and consequent increased prospects for prevention is obvious.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Cultural and linguistic validation, in Spanish, of the International Prostatic Symptoms Scale (I-PSS)].

Formal presentation of the cultural and linguistic validation, in Spanish, of the International Prostatic Symptoms Scale (I-PSS). The process for the official translation into Spanish of the questionnaire on prostatic symptomatology and quality of live derived from urinary symptoms, has followed a methodology common to several countries (UK, Italy, Norway, The Netherlands and Spain) which consisted in: translation into Spanish of the original American-English version published by the WHO in 1992, by two independent bilingual urologists; re-translation into English, checking any conceptual and semantic changes that had caused difficulties in the process of translation/re-translation; final choice of the text by an International Committee based both on the data provided by the above process and the experience of the Central Committee accrued over their relationships with the various National Committees. The resulting text was applied to 33 patients with prostate disease and 12 controls, individually recording any difficulty of interpretation and choice of answer observed for each of the questions. The final text herewith presented constitutes the official reference for the Spanish translation of the International Prostatic Symptoms Scale (I-PSS) which should be used for future symptomatic evaluations. The purpose of this cultural and linguistic validation is to secure that the application of these scales provides comparable and consistent numerical results in those countries where the translation has not been officially validated.

Cultural Characteristics↗
PubMed1994

New insights into the epidemiology and natural history of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) has undoubtedly been an important cause of the urinary difficulties observed in elderly men for many centuries although the condition was only recognised as such during the last century. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is a very common condition (88 per cent of autopsy specimens in men aged over 80 have histological BPH) and the cause of the commonest surgical procedure in elderly men (three men in ten ultimately may require surgery for this condition). A common cause of death in elderly men just 20-30 years ago, improved medical care has seen dramatic declines in this aspect of BPH and today treatment choices in BPH are largely determined by considerations of quality-of-life. Despite such a common occurrence, little is known with any certainty about the epidemiology of BPH. The incidence, even the population prevalence, is difficult to determine for a variety of reasons associated with difficulties surrounding the diagnosis of BPH and the identification of a source population to provide a denominator to calculate rates. Knowledge of risk factors is sparse: analytical epidemiologic studies of BPH are difficult to conduct. Case-control studies, the most commonly employed design in epidemiology, are problematic in that a control group may be difficult to define in view of the likelihood that a large proportion of these may have undiagnosed BPH. Against this background, knowledge of the prostate in the general population was sought in an international survey and found to be poor: although most men are aware of its existence, very few could correctly identify the function of the gland. Men tended to discuss urination problems with their doctors not when a symptom develops but when that symptom becomes bothersome. A 10-fold variation in frequency of rectal examination was identified between men in Germany and Italy which could not be explained by potential confounding variables. Given the large increases in the number of males reaching older ages, it is clear that BPH will continue to have substantial and increasing influence in terms of morbidity, mortality and health costs. Before the end of the present century, the life expectancy of a male at birth will exceed 80 years in many of the developed countries. Put put another way, one man in every two born can expect to reach an at which he has an 88 per cent chance of having a prostate with morphological BPH. Clearly, the need for high quality epidemiological information and consequent increased prospects for prevention is obvious.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1994

Diet and oxidative stress in breast, colon and prostate cancer patients: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes in pro-oxidant-antioxidant status in breast, colon and prostate cancer patients as compared to respective controls. DESIGN: Cross-sectional case-control study. The pro-oxidant status was measured by analysing alkanes (ethane and pentane) in exhaled air and lipid peroxidation (as malonaldehyde) in blood samples. The antioxidant capacity was measured by studying blood glutathione concentration, vitamin concentrations and serum antioxidant capacity in liposomes in vitro. SETTING: Aberdeen hospitals. SUBJECTS: Breast, prostate and colon cancer cases, and age- and sex-matched control patients (hospitalized for a benign disease). Breast cancer patients were females, prostate cancer patients were males and colon cancer patients were both males and females. Controls were age-matched to within 5 years, sex-matched and matched for smoking habits. RESULTS: The dietary study suggested a higher monoene and polyene fat intake in prostate cancer than in controls while in other cancer patients no significant differences were found. Breast and colon cancer patients tended to have lower vitamin intakes than controls. Pentane concentration in exhaled air increased in breast cancer patients as compared to respective controls. In serum total antioxidant capacity no significant differences were found. Both breast and colon cancer patients showed decreased C18:2 and C20:4 fatty acid concentrations in red blood cells while C22:6 concentration was elevated in breast cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative stress may be associated with malignant diseases, suggesting the importance of simultaneous analysis of pro- and antioxidation in the search of mechanistic parameters leading to the tumour formation.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Profile of microbiological analyses needed for hospitalized clients at the Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital].

During five consecutive administrative periods, a computer data bank was set up from informations written on laboratory forms requesting tests in microbiology. A total of 13,260 forms were received and 11,591 were included in our study. 7,010 tests (60%) were requested from medical specialties; 40% of these tests were from patients admitted on hematology and on pediatrics wards. Of the 4,581 remaining tests, 36% were ordered for patients admitted on general surgery and on ophthalmology wards. Medical patients had three times as much blood cultures requested than surgical patients. The numbers of urine cultures done for medical and surgical patients were however similar (1,832 and 1,699 respectively). The average cost for microbiology cultures was twice as much in medical than in surgical patients. Such analysis of prescribing profile for laboratory tests provides useful information for the diagnosis related groups (DRG) system and can allow for a more efficient distribution of hospital resources.

Databases, Factual↗