Publications (31) View all
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Dataset: Noazin 2009
Sassan Noazin, Ali Khamesipour, Lawrence H Moulton, Marcel Tanner, Kiumarss Nasseri, Farrokh Modabber, Iraj Sharifi, E A G Khalil, Ivan Dario Velez Bernal, Carlos M F Antunes, Peter G Smith -
Article: Suicide in cancer patients in california, 1997-2006.
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ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to measure suicide risk in cancer patients and compare it with the general population. Suicide rates were based on 1,168 suicides in 1,123,528 cancer patients in California from 1997-2006 and were studied by race/ethnicity, sex, site, stage, and marital status. Suicide in cancer patients is 2.3 times the general population with 81% in the non-Hispanic Whites, and half within the first 2 years post diagnosis. In men, it rapidly increases by age to a high plateau in the early forties. Metastatic cancers and those of the prostate, lung and bronchus, pancreas, stomach, esophagus, and oral cavity in men and breast in women were associated with significantly higher risk. Cancer patients are at higher risk of suicide and should be specifically targeted for preventive efforts post diagnosis.Archives of suicide research: official journal of the International Academy for Suicide Research 10/2012; 16(4):324-33. -
Article: Patterns of death in the first and second generation immigrants from selected Middle Eastern countries in California.
Kiumarss Nasseri, Lawrence H Moulton[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Migrant studies in the United States (US) have rarely covered the Middle Eastern population (ME), and have never distinguished the first and second generations born in the US. This study aims to describe the mortality patterns of ME immigrants by origin, acculturation, and generation. Death certificates issued from 1997 through 2004 were used to calculate, for Middle Eastern immigrants, the proportional odds ratios (POR) for major causes of death, with comparison to non-Hispanic Whites born in the US to US-born parents. First generation immigrants had higher odds for colorectal cancers, diabetes, and diseases of the heart, while their odds for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and suicide were lower. Men had higher odds for all cancers combined, cancers of the lymphatics, and pancreas. Women had lower odds for lung cancer, and dementia, and higher odds for breast cancer. The second generation men had higher odds for all cancers combined, and diseases of the heart, whereas women had lower odds for lung cancer and cerebrovascular accidents. Higher odds for colorectal cancers and lower odds for COPD were noted in both sexes. Some of the observed differences may be based on ethnic characteristics, including genetic makeup, early exposures, and culturally determined values. Time since immigration is associated with convergence of most odds to that of the native population.Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 08/2009; 13(2):361-70. · 1.16 Impact Factor -
Article: Efficacy of killed whole-parasite vaccines in the prevention of leishmaniasis: a meta-analysis.
Sassan Noazin, Ali Khamesipour, Lawrence H Moulton, Marcel Tanner, Kiumarss Nasseri, Farrokh Modabber, Iraj Sharifi, E A G Khalil, Ivan Dario Velez Bernal, Carlos M F Antunes, Peter G Smith[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Despite decades of investigation in countries on three continents, an efficacious vaccine against Leishmania infections has not been developed. Although some indication of protection was observed in some of the controlled trials conducted with "first-generation" whole, inactivated Leishmania parasite vaccines, convincing evidence of protection was lacking. After reviewing all previously published or unpublished randomized, controlled field efficacy clinical trials of prophylactic candidate vaccines, a meta-analysis of qualified trials was conducted to evaluate whether there was some evidence of protection revealed by considering the results of all trials together. The findings indicate that the whole-parasite vaccine candidates tested do not confer significant protection against human leishmaniasis.Vaccine 07/2009; 27(35):4747-53. · 3.77 Impact Factor -
Article: Patterns of mortality in California Hmong, 1988-2002.
Richard C Yang, Paul K Mills, Kiumarss Nasseri[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: From mid-1980s to early 1990s, there were several studies evaluating a condition known as "nocturnal sudden death syndrome" among the healthy, young Hmong (immigrants from Laos) individuals who mysteriously died from unknown causes during the night. To date, very little has been reported on the mortality patterns in the Hmong. The purpose of the present study is to examine causes of death (COD) and compare age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) in the Hmong with those of non-Hispanic white (NHW) population in California, which may yield useful data for health prevention and planning purposes. This study was based on 2,744 Hmong deaths occurred in California from 1988 to 2002. To calculate AAMR, Hmong population at risk of dying was derived by interpolating Hmong population counts from the 1990 and 2000 decennial censuses. For comparison, AAMR were calculated for both Hmong and NHW, and the statistical test, incidence rate ratio, was used to examine differences in relative mortality risk of each major COD between Hmong and NHW. AAMR are highest in neoplasm (184.0/100,000), circulatory (277.9/100,000) and respiratory (100.0/100,000) diseases for both Hmong and NHW. The AAMR for all COD during the entire study time period was 879.5/100,000 in males and 736.0/100,000 in females. AAMR for all other COD range from 4.9/100,000 to 67.2/100,000. Hmong experienced 1.3-1.9 times higher mortality rates for certain COD, compared to NHW. The interesting findings of this study are the differences in AAMR observed for lower ranking COD between Hmong and NHW. Hmong were found to be experiencing 1.3-1.9 times higher mortality rates for injuries and poisonings, digestive diseases, prenatal conditions, ENMID (endocrine, nutritional, metabolic, immunity disorders), infections and parasitic illnesses, and congenital anomalies when compared to NHW. However, while Hmong women were found to have statistically significantly higher mortality risk for injuries and poisonings (P-value < 0.05), ENMID (P-value < 0.05), and infections and parasitic ailments (P-value < 0.05) when compare to NHW women, Hmong men were observed to be at statistically significantly higher mortality risk for just infections and parasitic diseases (P-value < 0.05) when compared to NHW men.Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 03/2009; 12(5):754-60. · 1.16 Impact Factor
