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Factors influencing in-hospital mortality in community-acquired pneumonia: a prospective study of patients not initially admitted to the ICU.

PURPOSES: To determine the factors that predict in-hospital mortality among patients who require hospitalization for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study of all patients who were admitted to six hospitals in Edmonton, AL, Canada, with a diagnosis of CAP from November 15, 2000, to November 14, 2002. Pneumonia was defined as two or more respiratory symptoms and signs and an opacity on a chest radiograph as interpreted by the attending physician. RESULTS: A total of 3,043 patients were enrolled in the study, 246 of whom died (8.1%). On multivariate analysis, increasing pneumonia severity score, increasing age, site of care, consultation with a respirologist or infectious diseases physician, and functional status at the time of admission were all independently predictive of mortality. Increasing pneumonia severity risk score, increasing age, site of hospitalization, functional status, and consultation with an infectious diseases physician or a respirologist were independently associated with both early (< 5 days) and late (>/= 5 days) mortality. In contrast, partial or complete use of the pneumonia pathway was associated with decreased early mortality, but had no effect on late mortality. A low lymphocyte count and a high serum potassium level were associated with early but not with late mortality. The type of antibiotic therapy had an effect on late but not on early mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Functional status at the time of hospital admission is a powerful predictor of mortality and should be incorporated into any scores or models that are used to predict mortality. While there are some common predictors of early and late in-hospital mortality, early mortality is not affected by the timing or type of antibiotic therapy, whereas late mortality is influenced by the type of antibiotic therapy. Hyperkalemia and lymphopenia are associated with early mortality.

Adult↗

Ethnic differences in neonatal and postneonatal mortality.

OBJECTIVE: Ethnic disparities in infant mortality have been consistently documented in the United States, but these disparities are poorly understood. Although the infant mortality rate in the United States has fallen to record low rates, since 1971 the ethnic disparity between black and white infants has remained unchanged or increased. In 2001, the infant mortality rate among black infants was approximately 2.5 times higher than the rate among white and Hispanic infants. The objective of this study was to identify ethnic differences in neonatal and postneonatal mortality as well as the causes and risk factors among infants born in California. METHODS: Secondary analysis was performed of 1,277,393 singleton infants live-born to black, Latina, and white women from the California linked birth-infant death certificate from 1995 to 1997. The dependent variables were infant death (defined as an infant who died in the first year of life [death <365 days]), neonatal death (death during the first 27 days of life), and postneonatal death (death between 28 and 364 days of life). Cause-specific neonatal and postneonatal infant mortality rates (per 100,000 live births) were calculated for each ethnic group. Chi(2) and exact test statistics were used to compare the distribution of maternal and infant characteristics and cause-of-death rates by maternal ethnicity. Logistic regression analysis was used to compute odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to estimate the relationship between maternal ethnicity, maternal and infant factors, and risk of infant mortality. RESULTS: In both the neonatal and postneonatal periods, black women had higher infant mortality rates than Latina or white women for conditions originating in the perinatal period (including respiratory distress syndrome) and symptoms, signs, and ill-defined conditions (including sudden infant death syndrome). After adjusting for maternal and infant characteristics, there were no significant ethnic differences for neonatal mortality. For postneonatal mortality, black women had a higher risk (OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.10-1.42) and Latina women had a lower risk (OR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.71-0.89) compared with white women after adjusting for maternal and infant factors. In analyses of all ethnic groups combined, as well as ethnic-specific analyses, the strongest predictors of neonatal and postneonatal death were infant birth weight of <2499 g and gestational age of <33 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Causes of infant mortality and risk factors for infant mortality differed by maternal ethnicity, indicating a need to tailor prevention and education efforts, especially during the postneonatal period. To achieve national infant mortality goals, health professionals and policy makers should continue to emphasize the importance of early and continuous prenatal care and develop new strategies to reduce the incidence of low birth weight and premature infants. Ethnic-specific approaches may be needed to further reduce infant mortality rates and achieve our national goal to eliminate ethnic disparities in perinatal outcomes.

Adolescent↗

[The reduction in maternal mortality in Chile, 1990-2000].

OBJECTIVE: To determine if Chile achieved the objective of reducing maternal mortality by 50% between 1990 and 2000, in line with the provisions of the Regional Plan of Action for the Reduction of Maternal Mortality in the Americas, which the governments of the Americas approved in 1990 at the 23rd Pan American Sanitary Conference. METHODS: A descriptive, observational study was designed, making it possible to analyze the trend in maternal mortality in Chile from 1990 through 2000. The variables that were evaluated were the maternal mortality ratio, the causes of death, and the age of the mothers who died. The causes of death were classified according to the ninth revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9), and the raw data were obtained from the yearbooks of the National Institute of Statistics of Chile. The changes in the variables were estimated according to the percentage of cumulative change, and trends were analyzed with the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The study found a 60.3% reduction in maternal mortality from 1990 to 2000. The lowest maternal mortality ratio, 18.7 per 100 000 live births, occurred in the year 2000. The five leading causes of maternal mortality were hypertension, miscarriage, other current conditions in the mother, puerperal sepsis, and postpartum hemorrhage. There was a significant downward trend in maternal mortality due to hypertension (r = -0.712; P = 0.014), abortion (r = -0.810; P = 0.003), and puerperal sepsis (r = -0.718; P = 0.013), but there were no statistically significant changes in mortality from other current conditions in the mother or from postpartum hemorrhage. The highest level of maternal mortality was found in women who were 40 years of age or older (100.2/100 000 live births), and the lowest level was in adolescents 15 to 19 years old (18.7/100 000 live births). CONCLUSIONS: Chile achieved the objective of the Regional Plan of Action for the Reduction of Maternal Mortality in the Americas, with a decrease of more than 50% in maternal mortality in the 1990-2000 period. That reduction is due mainly to the decline in maternal mortality from hypertension, abortion, and puerperal sepsis.

Adolescent↗

Long-term mortality in nationwide cohorts of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes in Japan and Finland.

OBJECTIVE: This study compares mortality from type 1 diabetes in Japan and Finland and examines the effects of sex, age at diagnosis, and calendar time period of diagnosis on mortality. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Patients with type 1 diabetes from Japan (n = 1,408) and Finland (n = 5,126), diagnosed from 1965 through 1979, at age <18 years, were followed until 1994. Mortality was estimated with and without adjustment for that of the general population to assess absolute and relative mortality using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Overall mortality rates in Japan and Finland were 607 (95% CI 510-718) and 352 (315-393), respectively, per 100,000 person-years; standardized mortality ratios were 12.9 (10.8-15.3) and 3.7 (3.3-4.1), respectively. Absolute mortality was higher for men than for women in Finland, but relative mortality was higher for women than for men in both cohorts. Absolute mortality was higher in both cohorts among those whose diabetes was diagnosed during puberty, but relative mortality did not show any significant difference by age at diagnosis in either cohort. In Japan, both absolute and relative mortality were higher among those whose diagnosis was in the 1960s rather than the 1970s. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality from type 1 diabetes was higher in Japan compared with Finland. The increased risk of death from type 1 diabetes seems to vary by sex, age at diagnosis, and calendar time period of diagnosis. Further investigation, especially on cause-specific mortality, is warranted in the two countries.

Age of Onset↗

[Development of mortality in Switzerland since 1950. I. International comparison and differences in sex, age and nationality].

BACKGROUND: All-cause mortality is an important criterion for assessing the health status and the living conditions of a population, thus indicating possible preventive measures. DATA AND METHODS: Descriptive analyses of Swiss mortality records and a comparison with the WHO mortality data bank for the period since 1950. RESULTS: Age-specific mortality trends in Switzerland are traced back to 1950 and compared with the situation in other European countries. At the beginning of the 1950s Swiss all-cause mortality rates were about the European average; now they are among the lowest worldwide. In most age classes, rates declined by more than one third between 1951/54 and 1990/94, in females even by more than 50%. This rather optimistic overall picture conceals less favourable partial trends. The decline in mortality rates in men aged 20-49 and women aged 20-34 years did not continue after 1970, and for males aged 20-44 and females aged 25-34 mortality risks have even increased in recent years. In both males and females, mortality rates from injury and poisoning (mainly accidents and suicide) exceed those of European low-incidence countries by 100%. On an international scale Swiss subjects aged between 15 and 44 years are at much higher risk, even when deaths from injury and poisoning, the most important cause of death in these ages, are excluded. When compared with their Swedish contemporaries, Swiss males aged 25-34 years have almost twice the risk of dying from a "natural" as well as from an "external" cause. As a rule, male/female sex ratios of mortality continued to increase, except in subjects aged 45-64 years. CONCLUSION: In spite of low overall mortality risks, international age-specific rates suggest considerable potential for preventive measures in Switzerland. There is some evidence of substantial under-registration of the mortality risks of foreigners living in Switzerland. As foreigners represent a substantial part of the total population--with a maximum of 30% of men aged 25-34 years--figures for Switzerland as a whole may be biased seriously. Therefore, for mortality analyses and comparisons with international data, we suggest the study be restricted to Swiss citizens. When assessing mortality risks for foreigners in Switzerland alternative data sources and methods should be taken into account.

Adolescent↗

[Socioeconomic differences in mortality in Rome, 1990-1995].

Population groups with a lower socioeconomic status (SES) have a greater risk of disease and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between SES and mortality in the metropolitan area of Rome during the six-year period 1990-1995, and to examine variations in mortality differentials between 1990-92 and 1993-95. Rome has a population of approximately 2,800,000, with 6,100 census tracts (CTs). During the study period, 149,002 deaths occurred among residents. We compared cause-specific mortality rates among four socioeconomic categories (SES) defined by a socioeconomic index, derived from characteristics of the CT of residence. Among men, total mortality and mortality for the major causes of death showed an inverse association with SES. Among 15-44 year old men, the strong positive association between total mortality and low SES was due to AIDS and overdose mortality. Among women, a positive association with lower SES was observed for stomach cancer, uterus cancer and cardiovascular disease, whereas mortality for breast cancer was higher in the groups with higher SES. Comparing the periods 1990-92 and 1993-95, differences in total mortality between socioeconomic groups widened in both sexes. Increasing differences were observed for tuberculosis and lung cancer among men, and for uterus cancer, traffic accidents, and overdose mortality among women. The use of an area-based indicator of SES limits the interpretations of the findings. However, despite the possible limitations, these results suggest that social class differences in mortality in Rome are increasing. Time changes in life style and in the prevalence of risk behaviors may produce differences in disease incidence. Moreover inequalities in the access to medical care and in the quality of care may contribute to an increasing differentials in mortality.

Adolescent↗

[Mortality among non-western migrants in The Netherlands].

Mortality among 10 groups of non-western migrants to The Netherlands, observed in the period 1995-2000, is compared with mortality among people who were born in and whose parents were born in The Netherlands. The migrant groups concerned consisted of people who were born in, or whose parents were born in Turkey, Morocco, Surinam, The Netherlands Antilles, Ghana, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Vietnam. Differences in mortality were adjusted for age, marital status, region, degree of urbanization, and socioeconomic status. Despite the fact that most migrants originate from countries with a substantially higher mortality rate than The Netherlands, most groups had similar or more favourable total mortality rates than native Dutch people. Men from Turkey and Surinam had slightly elevated mortality rates and men and women from Somalia had a notably higher mortality rate than native Dutch people. The generally favourable mortality rates among migrants are the result of two compensating phenomena: higher mortality among young migrants than among young native Dutch people, and lower mortality among elderly migrants than among elderly native Dutch people. An analysis of cause-of-death patterns revealed relatively low mortality from cardiovascular diseases, cancer and respiratory diseases in most migrant groups, and relatively high mortality from infectious diseases and injuries. These findings are unlikely to have been influenced by incomplete registration of mortality. Selective migration may play a role--some migrant groups have a relatively high level of education for example. Also some of the findings may be explained by a difference in timing between the health benefits and the health risks of migration. Migrant health could be benefiting from the favourable socioeconomic, public health and health-care conditions in The Netherlands, but not yet be affected by the higher risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease associated with prosperity.

Adolescent↗

[A study of mortality among male physicians in Chiba prefecture].

In order to assess mortality patterns of Japanese physicians, the mortality during a 12 year period (July 1978-June 1990) among male members of the Chiba Medical Association was studied. The overall mortality among physicians was significantly lower than the general male population in Chiba prefecture (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] = 0.69). Physicians were found to have lower cause-specific mortality from cancer (SMR = 0.71), cerebrovascular disease (SMR = 0.42), pneumonia and bronchitis (SMR = 0.63), accidents (SMR = 0.37), and suicide (SMR = 0.29) than the general population, but to have higher mortality from senility (SMR = 1.75). When compared to the total working population and the professional and technical workers, all-cause mortality for physicians did not differ. Mortality from ischemic heart disease was significantly higher during 1979-1983, but was similar during 1984-1988. Analysis by specialty showed that during 1979-1983 internal medicine physicians had a lower mortality than surgeons, but this reversed during 1984-1988 with the former having a higher mortality than the latter. Over the whole period, no difference in mortality existed between internists and surgeons. A cohort of 2,502 male members that is being followed, showed that the mortality of physicians was lower than the general population. However, no significant difference between the internists and surgeons was observed in both overall and major cause-specific mortality.

Humans↗

[Current perinatal and infant mortality at Reunion Island].

UNLABELLED: The mortality rate is an indicator of public health related to social, economic and sanitary conditions. In 1990, the early neonatal and infant mortality rates published by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) for Reunion Island were surprisingly lower than those published for continental France, in spite of a less favourable socio-economic status. Therefore, we considered is useful to try to re-establish the true rates by means of a retrospective survey based first on the vitality and maturité criteria of the French Register Office, then on those of the World Health Organisation (WHO). POPULATION AND METHODS: Among all the childbirths registered in Reunion Island between January 1st and December 31st 1990, we collected the cases of stillbirths and neonatal deaths that occurred in hospital or at home. The vitality and maturity criteria were defined according to all clinical and para-clinical records available. RESULTS: After an adjustment of the vitality criteria based on the medical files, the use of the French Register Office maturity criteria resulted in the following date: stillbirth rate 8.69% (versus 9.89), early neonatal mortality rate 3.88% (versus 2.65%), and infant mortality rate 8.12% (versus 6.7%). Then, using the WHO maturity criteria, we found the following rates: stillbirth 12.7%, early neonatal mortality 5.1%, perinatal mortality 17.74%, infant mortality 9.34%. CONCLUSION: The non-observance of vitality criteria leads to a decrease of early neonatal mortality rate, and consequently of infant mortality rate. On the other hand, the WHO maturity criteria are either ignored or debated. Those two facts contribute to the publication of wrong still birth, early neonatal mortality and infant mortality rates. Therefore, the fetal-infant mortality rate seems to be more reliable than the infant mortality rate.

Fetal Death↗

[Analysis of mortality trends in the West Bohemian Region in comparison with the entire Czech Republic 1988-1995].

BACKGROUND: Unfavourable trends in Czech republic (CR) started in the sixties and peaked in the late eighties i.e. in years when a dramatic mortality fall was observed in most western european countries. So, CR belonged among those Eastern European countries in that total and cardiovascular mortality showed increasing and alarming trends. West Bohemia Region (WB) was characterised by the concentration of heavy industry and high environmental pollution. Because of its geographical position on the western frontier, it was generally restricted in capital investment in the past. We wondered whether these phenomenon were reflected in higher mortality rates than in the rest of CR and which changes occurred after the year 1989. METHODS AND RESULTS: We compared the age standardized mortality data from 1988, 91, 93 and 95 in CR and WB for total mortality, cardiovascular mortality, coronary heart disease, strokes, malignancies and respiratory diseases. Data were age-adjusted for "World Population Standards" and rates were given for 100,000 inhabitants. In the whole CR a significant decrease of total, cardiovascular and cancer mortality was observed from 1988 to 1995. In WB these trends were similar, however in comparison to the whole CR the mortality rates remained in each respective period higher for total, cancer (mainly lung cancer) mortality and for non specific respiratory disease. In contrast, the coronary mortality rates in CR and WB were similar, however in WB after a temporary decrease in 1993 a significant increase in 1995 was observed. On the other hand the stroke mortality rates which were until 1993 in WB higher, significantly decreased in 1995 below the rates for CR. The cause of higher mortality rates in WB are far from being clear. To elucidate this observation epidemiologic studies of environmental pollution, life style of the population and socioeconomic factors are necessary, even as a further monitoring of regional mortality rates and trends.

Cause of Death↗

Changing sex ratio of mortality in the Semai Senoi, 1969-1987.

An excess of male over female deaths is characteristic of modern national populations, whereas in some high-mortality societies female mortality exceeds that of males. Among the Semai Senoi, a Malaysian Orang Asli ("aboriginal") population, women experienced higher mortality than males in the decades before 1969. This differential occurred in all age classes older than 15 years so that the sex ratio progressively increased with age. A recent (1987) restudy of the Semai population found that sex-specific differential mortality is much reduced. A comparison of the 1969 and 1987 life tables shows a sharp shift in the sex ratios of mortality for the post-15-year-old age classes (the geometric means of age classes 15-44 were 0.768 in 1969 and 0.997 in 1987) so that male and female expectations of further life at age 15 are now nearly identical. In contrast to the best-known cases of high female mortality (mostly in South Asia), Semai sex differential mortality does not include the childhood ages. The Semai have traditionally been relatively sexually egalitarian, and sex bias in care has not occurred. Analysis of sex-specific causes of death for the pre-1969 population suggests that maternal mortality is the major cause of the excess female deaths. The reduced number of maternal deaths seems largely due to better health care, particularly the availability of hospital services. Interestingly, the reduction in female mortality has occurred simultaneously with increased fertility, and overall mortality has continued at relatively high levels (eO less than 36). Thus, rather than forming a component of a unitary demographic transition, declining sex differences in mortality can be accounted for by a specific factor, better maternal care.

Adolescent↗

Sanctions and childhood mortality in Iraq.

BACKGROUND: In 1999 UNICEF, in cooperation with the government of Iraq and the local authorities in the "autonomous" (northern Kurdish) region, conducted two similar surveys to provide regionally representative and reliable estimates of child mortality (the subject of this paper) and maternal mortality. METHODS: In a cross-sectional household survey in the south/centre of Iraq in February and March, 1999, 23105 ever-married women aged 15-49 years living in sampled households were interviewed by trained interviewers with a structured questionnaire that was developed using the Demographic and Health Surveys questionnaire and following a pre-test. In a similar survey in the autonomous region in April and May 14 035 ever-married women age 15-49 were interviewed. FINDINGS: In the south/centre, infant and under-5 mortality increased during the 10 years before the survey, which roughly corresponds to the period following the Gulf conflict and the start of the United Nations sanctions. Infant mortality rose from 47 per 1000 live births during 1984-89 to 108 per 1000 in 1994-99, and under-5 mortality rose from 56 to 131 per 1000 live births. In the autonomous region during the same period, infant mortality declined from 64 to 59 per 1000 and under-5 mortality fell from 80 to 72 per 1000. Childhood mortality was higher among children born in rural areas, children born to women with no education, and in boys, and these differentials were broadly similar in the two regions. INTERPRETATION: Childhood mortality clearly increased after the Gulf conflict and under UN sanctions in the south/centre of Iraq, but in the autonomous region since the start of the Oil-for-Food Programme childhood mortality has begun to decline. Better food and resource allocation to the autonomous region contributed to the continued gains in lower mortality, whereas the situation in the south/centre deteriorated despite the high level of literacy in that region.

Adolescent↗

Mortality impact of the AIDS epidemic: evidence from community studies in less developed countries.

BACKGROUND: The AIDS epidemic is now more than a decade old and direct evidence of mortality impact has become measurable, as indicated by an increasing number of publications presenting empirical data from less developed countries. METHODS: This review focuses on the evidence of mortality impact among adults and children in community studies. The majority of these studies are located in Africa, particularly eastern Africa, where the AIDS epidemic is conjectured to be older than in other less developed countries. RESULTS: Community studies show a two- to threefold increase in total adult mortality with an even larger increase in mortality among young adults in communities with adult HIV prevalence levels below 10%. Mortality amongst HIV-infected adults ranges from 5 to 11% per year, and more than half of all adult deaths can be attributed to HIV. HIV-infected women die at an earlier age than men and thereby lose significantly more productive years of life. Follow-up studies of incident cases are few, but population-based data indicate that the median survival time is substantially longer than originally thought on the basis of mortality amongst HIV-infected commercial sex workers. Tuberculosis incidence is on the increase, but evidence of additional impact on mortality is hitherto limited. Infant and early child mortality among children of HIV-infected mothers is two to five times higher than among children of HIV-negative mothers in follow-up studies of maternity-based and community samples. CONCLUSION: There is now empirical evidence of the mortality impact of HIV/AIDS from several community studies. The large increase in adult mortality and moderate increase in child mortality lead to dramatic falls in life expectancy. For instance, in a rural area of Uganda, which has an HIV prevalence of 8%, life expectancy has dropped from just under 60 years to 42.5 years.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Rheumatoid arthritis and mortality. A longitudinal study in Pima Indians.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on mortality rates. METHODS: Longitudinal analyses of data from a cohort of Pima Indians from the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, who were followed up during the period February 1965 through December 1989. RESULTS: Among 2,979 study subjects aged > or = 25 years, there were 858 deaths, 79 of which occurred in subjects with RA (36 men, 43 women). Age- and sex-adjusted mortality rates were slightly higher in subjects with RA than in those without (mortality rate ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.01-1.62). Among those with RA, mortality rates were higher in older subjects (mortality rate ratio 1.51 per 10-year increase in age, 95% CI 1.22-1.88), in male subjects (mortality rate ratio 2.23, 95% CI 1.44-3.45, adjusted for age), and in subjects with proteinuria (mortality rate ratio 1.88, 95% CI 1.02-3.46, adjusted for age and sex). Mortality rate ratios for these risk factors were similar in subjects without RA. In addition, among subjects with RA, rheumatoid factor (RF) positivity was predictive of death (mortality rate ratio 1.94, 95% CI 1.10-3.43), and the excess mortality was found primarily among subjects who were seropositive. The death rate from cardiovascular disease (mortality rate ratio 1.77, 95% CI 1.10-2.84) and from liver cirrhosis or other alcohol-related disease (mortality rate ratio 2.52, 95% CI 1.06-6.01) was increased in persons with RA. CONCLUSION: The results of this population-based study suggest that although the risk of mortality in subjects with RA is significantly higher than in those without RA, the risk ratio is in the lower range of that described previously in studies of clinic-based cohorts. RF positivity as a predictor of early death among subjects with RA indicates that the immunologic processes in seropositive RA may contribute to the events that eventually lead to early death.

Adult↗

Regional patterns and trends in cancer mortality among American Indians and Alaska Natives, 1990-2001.

BACKGROUND: National estimates of cancer mortality indicate relatively low rates for American Indians (AIs) and Alaska Natives (ANs). However, these rates are derived from state vital records in which racial misclassification is known to exist. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study of cancer mortality among AIs and ANs living in counties on or near reservations, the authors used death records and census population estimates to calculate annualized, age-adjusted mortality rates for key cancer types for the period 1996-2001 for 5 geographic regions: East (E), Northern Plains (NP), Southwest (SW), Pacific Coast (PC), and Alaska (AK). Mortality rate ratios (MRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) also were calculated to compare rates with those in the general United States population (USG) for the same period. To examine temporal trends, MRRs for 1996-2001 were compared with MMRs for 1990-1995. RESULTS: The overall cancer mortality rate was lower in AIs and ANs (165.6 per 100,000 population; 95% CI, 161.7-169.5) than in the USG (200.9 per 100,000 population; 95% CI, 200.7-201.2). In the regional analysis, however, cancer mortality was higher in AK (MRR=1.26; 95% CI, 1.17-1.36) and in the NP (MMR=1.37; 95% CI, 1.31-1.44) than in the USG. In both regions, the excess mortality was attributed to cancer of the lung, colorectum, liver, stomach, and kidney. In the SW, the mortality rate for cancer of the liver and stomach was higher than the rate in the USG, in contrast with that region's nearly 4-fold lower mortality rate for lung cancer (MRR=0.23; 95% CI, 0.19-0.27). Rates of cervical cancer mortality were higher among AIs and ANs (MRR=1.35; 95% CI, 1.13-1.62), notably in the NP and SW. Rates of breast cancer mortality generally were lower (MRR=0.60; 95% CI, 0.55-0.66), notably in the PC, SW, and E. Cancer mortality increased by 5% in AIs and ANs (MRR for 1996-2001 compared with 1990-1995: 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08), whereas it decreased by 6% in the USG (MMR=0.94; 95% CI, 0.94-0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Regional data should guide local cancer prevention and control activities in AIs and ANs. The disparity in temporal trends in cancer mortality between AIs and ANs and the USG gives urgency to improving cancer control in this population.

Alaska↗

Ten-year cardiovascular mortality in relation to risk factors and abnormalities in lipoprotein composition in type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic and non-diabetic subjects.

The purpose of the present study was to examine 10-year cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with newly-diagnosed Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus and non-diabetic control subjects and to evaluate the effects of general risk factors, plasma insulin, urinary albumin excretion, lipoprotein abnormalities characteristic of Type 2 diabetes and the degree of hyperglycaemia in diabetic patients on cardiovascular mortality. Furthermore, the extent to which the above-mentioned factors could contribute to the excessive cardiovascular mortality observed in diabetic patients was examined. In the years 1979-1981, altogether 133 (70 men, 63 women) newly-diagnosed patients with Type 2 diabetes and 144 (62 men, 82 women) non-diabetic control subjects aged 45-64 years were studied. Both groups were re-examined in the years 1985-1986 and 1991-1992. The impact of different factors on cardiovascular mortality was examined by univariate analyses after adjustment for age and sex and by multiple logistic regression analyses. The age-standardized total and cardiovascular mortality rates were substantially higher in diabetic men (17.8 and 15.0%, total and cardiovascular mortality, respectively p = 0.06 and NS) and women (18.5 and 16.6%, p < 0.01 for both) than in non-diabetic control men (5.2% both total and cardiovascular mortality) and women (4.2 and 2.2%). Cardiovascular mortality was not related to the treatment modality (diet, oral drugs, insulin) at 5 years from diagnosis. Use of diuretics, beta-blocking agents or their combination at baseline did not make a significant contribution to cardiovascular mortality either. In multiple logistic regression analysis on diabetic patients, age, LDL triglycerides, smoking, blood glucose and ischaemic ECG at baseline had independent associations with cardiovascular mortality. Interestingly, urinary albumin excretion rate measured at 5-year examination also predicted 10-year cardiovascular mortality after adjustment for the effects of major risk factors including lipoprotein abnormalities, but its predictive power reduced to a nonsignificant level when the effect of plasma glucose was taken into account. The relative risk of cardiovascular mortality associated with diabetes was 8.2 after allowing for age alone, but it declined to 3.7 when all contributing factors from the baseline examination (except blood glucose) were taken into account. In conclusion, the present results indicate that LDL triglycerides and/or other changes in lipoprotein composition characteristic of Type 2 diabetes and manifesting as elevated serum triglycerides are atherogenic and they strongly predict increased cardiovascular mortality.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Blood Glucose↗

An updated cohort mortality study of workers at a northeastern United States petroleum refinery.

An update of a cohort study of 4855 employees at a Paulsboro, New Jersey refinery was conducted to further examine mortality patterns. The earlier study investigated refinery workers employed for a minimum of 1 year between 1 January 1946 and 1 January 1979. The vital status of these workers was ascertained through 1979. The update extended enrollment in the study and vital status follow-up for an additional 8 years (1980-1987). As in the previous study, mortality from all causes [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 87; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 83-91] was significantly lower than expected compared with the general population. Total cancer mortality was also lower than expected (SMR = 96; 95% CI: 86-106). A borderline significant mortality increase in prostatic cancer was found (SMR = 144; 95% CI: 106-190). This increase was similar to the nonsignificant increase reported in the original study (SMR = 135; 95% CI: 90-196). The excess was of comparable magnitude among white males and nonwhite males, although it was not significant for the latter. Detailed analysis indicated that the prostatic cancer was not likely to be related to employment at the refinery. Mortality from lymphatic and hematopoietic cancers was similar to the expected mortality. Mortality from overall leukemia was as expected and detailed analyses by specific cell type showed no increase. An increase in mortality occurred from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among male workers (SMR = 132; 95% CI: 74-217). The increase was not statistically significant and unlikely to be associated with refinery employment. Mortality from multiple myeloma among male employees was lower than expected (SMR = 74; 95% CI: 20-190). Mortality from asbestos-related diseases (pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma) was also lower than expected among male workers. No cause-specific mortality was found to be associated with duration of employment at the refinery, including several causes which have been reported to be elevated in previous studies. The findings of this updated study indicate, as in the previous report, the generally favorable mortality experience of Paulsboro refinery workers.

Adult↗

Relationship between baseline risk factors and coronary heart disease and total mortality in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial. Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial Research Group.

The relationship between selected baseline risk factors and subsequent coronary heart disease (CHD) death and total mortality among participants in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT) was studied in order to determine whether the three risk factors used to identify high-risk men for the trial were associated with CHD death; whether other risk factors measured at baseline, especially lipoprotein cholesterol levels, were associated with CHD and total mortality; and whether there were any differences between special intervention (SI) and usual care (UC) participants in the relationship of the specific levels of risk factors to CHD or total mortality. The three main risk factors (blood cholesterol, cigarette smoking, and diastolic blood pressure) and age were significantly associated with CHD mortality; age, diastolic blood pressure, and cigarette smoking were associated with total mortality. The risk score based on the multiple logistic equation developed from the Framingham Study was also strongly associated with CHD mortality. When the joint associations of selected baseline risk factors with CHD and total mortality were considered, age, diastolic blood pressure, cigarette smoking, and low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly associated with CHD mortality; age, cigarette smoking, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were positively associated with total mortality. Systolic blood pressure significantly improved the prediction of CHD mortality for SI and UC men when it was added to a regression model that included age, diastolic blood pressure, cigarettes smoked per day, body mass index, and lipoprotein levels, but improved the prediction of total mortality only for SI men. In similar analyses, serum thiocyanate improved the prediction of both CHD and total mortality for UC men. Among SI men the improved prediction gained by considering serum thiocyanate was less pronounced and not significant for CHD death. This latter finding may be due in part to the changes made in smoking behavior by SI participants during the course of the study. The estimated regression coefficients for CHD and total mortality endpoints were not significantly different between the SI and UC groups.

Adult↗