Dataset Information

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Sarcoma Incidence Are Independent of Census-Tract Socioeconomic Status.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Epidemiologic analyses of sarcoma are limited by the heterogeneity and rarity of the disease. Utilizing population-based surveillance data enabled us to evaluate the contribution of census tract-level socioeconomic status (CT-SES) and race/ethnicity on sarcoma incidence rates.

Methods

We utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program to evaluate associations between CT-SES and race/ethnicity on the incidence rates of sarcoma. Incidence rate ratios and 99% confidence intervals were estimated from quasi-Poisson models. All models were stratified by broad age groups (pediatric: <20 years, adult: 20-65 years, older adult: 65+ years) and adjusted for sex, age, and year of diagnosis. Within each age group, we conducted analyses stratified by somatic genome (fusion-positive and fusion-negative sarcomas) and for subtypes with >200 total cases. A P value less than 0.01 was considered statistically significant.

Results

We included 55,415 sarcoma cases in 35 sarcoma subtype-age group combinations. Increasing CT-SES was statistically significantly associated with 11 subtype-age group combinations, primarily in the older age group strata (8 subtypes), whereas malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors in adults were associated with decreasing CT-SES. Nearly every sarcoma subtype-age group combination displayed racial/ethnic disparities in incidence that were independent of CT-SES.

Conclusions

We found race/ethnicity to be more frequently associated with sarcoma incidence than CT-SES. Our findings suggest that genetic variation associated with ancestry may play a stronger role than area-level SES-related factors in the etiology of sarcoma.

Impact

These findings provide direction for future etiologic studies of sarcomas.

SUBMITTER: Diessner BJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7641997 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundEstonian and Russian ethnic groups in Estonia differ from one another in several aspects, such as historic and socio-economic background, language and culture. The aim of the current study was to examine ethnic differences in cancer incidence in Estonia, and to compare the situation before and after the profound political and economical changes in the early 1990s.MethodsTwo cross-sectional unlinked census-based cancer incidence analyses were performed. Cancer incidence data were obtained from the Estonian Cancer Registry. Population denominators came from the population censuses of 1989 and 2000. Standardized cancer incidence rates were calculated for men and women for the aggregate periods 1988-1990 and 1999-2000. Differences in cancer incidence between Estonians and Russians in 1989 and 2000 were estimated for both sexes, using standardized rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals.ResultsIn 1988-1990, the total cancer incidence in Russian men was higher than that in Estonian men (SRR = 1.26, 95%CI = 1.19-1.34). In 1999-2000, the total cancer incidence in men showed only slightly higher estimates in Russians than in Estonians (SRR = 1.06, 95%CI = 0.99-1.32). Cancers of stomach, colon and lung had persisting higher values in Russian men in 1999-2000. In women, the differences were smaller than in men, and the total cancer incidence showed no differences relating to neither of the time periods studied. With regard to specific sites, excess of stomach cancer incidence was seen in Russian women (SRR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.15-1.81). The ethnic differences in general decreased between the two time periods studied.ConclusionSome of the differences in cancer rates between the Estonians and Russians in Estonia are likely to be attributable to the variation in exposure to specific etiologic factors that are causedby differences in lifestyle and habits, such as hygiene, smoking and drinking. Further research with a view to understanding these ethnic differences in cancer incidence is warranted.

Project description:ObjectivesTo examine racial and ethnic differences in knowledge about one's dementia status.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingThe 2000 to 2014 Health and Retirement Study.ParticipantsOur sample included 8,686 person-wave observations representing 4,065 unique survey participants, aged 70 years or older, with dementia, as identified by a well-validated statistical prediction model based on individual demographic and clinical characteristics.MeasurementsPrimary outcome measure was knowledge of one's dementia status, as reported in the survey. Patient characteristics included race/ethnicity, age, sex, survey year, cognition, function, comorbidity, and whether living in a nursing home.ResultsAmong subjects identified as having dementia by the prediction model, 43.5% to 50.2%, depending on the survey year, reported that they were informed of the dementia status by their physician. This proportion was lower among Hispanics (25.9%-42.2%) and non-Hispanic blacks (31.4%-50.5%) than among non-Hispanic whites (47.7%-52.9%). Our fully adjusted regression model indicated lower dementia awareness among non-Hispanic blacks (odds ratio [OR] = 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.58-0.94) and Hispanics (OR = 0.60; 95% CI = 0.43-0.85), compared to non-Hispanic whites. Having more instrumental activity of daily living limitations (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.56-1.75) and living in a nursing home (OR = 2.78; 95% CI = 2.32-3.32) were associated with increased odds of subjects reporting being told about dementia by a physician.ConclusionLess than half of individuals with dementia reported being told by a physician about the condition. A higher proportion of non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics with dementia may be unaware of their condition, despite higher dementia prevalence in these groups, compared to non-Hispanic whites. Dementia outreach programs should target diverse communities with disproportionately high disease prevalence and low awareness. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1763-1770, 2020.