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ABSTRACT: To examine 25 year trends in first time hospitalisation for acute myocardial infarction in Denmark, subsequent short and long term mortality, and the prognostic impact of sex and comorbidity.
Nationwide population based cohort study using medical registries.
All hospitals in Denmark.
234,331 patients with a first time hospitalisation for myocardial infarction from 1984 through 2008.
Standardised incidence rate of myocardial infarction and 30 day and 31-365 day mortality by sex. Comorbidity categories were defined as normal, moderate, severe, and very severe according to the Charlson comorbidity index, and were compared by means of mortality rate ratios based on Cox regression.
The standardised incidence rate per 100,000 people decreased in the 25 year period by 37% for women (from 209 to 131) and by 48% for men (from 410 to 213). The 30 day, 31-365 day, and one year mortality declined from 31.4%, 15.6%, and 42.1% in 1984-8 to 14.8%, 11.1%, and 24.2% in 2004-8, respectively. After adjustment for age at time of myocardial infarction, men and women had the same one year risk of dying. The mortality reduction was independent of comorbidity category. Comparing patients with very severe versus normal comorbidity during 2004-8, the mortality rate ratio, adjusted for age and sex, was 1.96 (95% CI 1.83 to 2.11) within 30 days and 3.89 (3.58 to 4.24) within 31-365 days.
The rate of first time hospitalisation for myocardial infarction and subsequent short term mortality both declined by nearly half between 1984 and 2008. The reduction in mortality occurred for all patients, independent of sex and comorbidity. However, comorbidity burden was a strong prognostic factor for short and long term mortality, while sex was not.
BMJ (Clinical research ed.). 01/2012; 344:e356.
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ABSTRACT: A 2006 study from the United Kingdom found that penicillin use may decrease the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). To confirm this finding, the authors conducted a nationwide case-control study in Denmark, using the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry to identify 3,259 patients with MS onset from 1996 to 2008, and selected 10 population controls per case (n = 32,590), matched on sex and age. Through the National Prescription Database, prescriptions for antibiotics redeemed from 1995 to 2008 and before the date of first MS symptom/index date were identified. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to compute odds ratios associating antibiotic use with MS occurrence. In total, 1,922 patients (59%) redeemed penicillin prescriptions before the index date and 2,292 (70%) redeemed any type of antibiotic prescription. Penicillin use was associated with an increased risk of MS (odds ratio = 1.21, 95% confidence interval: 1.10, 1.27). Use of any type of antibiotic was similarly associated with an increased risk of MS (odds ratio = 1.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.29, 1.53). The odds ratios for different types of antibiotics ranged between 1.08 and 1.83. Thus, this study found that penicillin use and use of other antibiotics were similarly associated with increased risk of MS, suggesting that the underlying infections may be causally associated with MS.
American journal of epidemiology 09/2011; 174(8):945-8. · 5.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Bone lesions as a consequence of bone metastases in breast cancer patients can increase risk for skeletal-related events (SREs) (i.e., radiation to the bone, a pathological or osteoporotic fracture event, hypercalcemia, spinal cord compression, or surgery to the bone). The mortality risk for breast cancer patients with SREs subsequent to bone metastases is unclear. We assessed this relationship in a large, population-based cohort of breast cancer patients in Denmark. We identified 35,912 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2007 in the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR) and followed them through April 1, 2008. Information on stage and treatment was obtained from the Danish Cancer Registry. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to estimate survival, and Cox's regression analysis to estimate the mortality rate ratio (MRR) by the presence of bone metastases with and without SREs, adjusting for age and comorbidity. The 5-year survival was 75.8% for breast cancer patients without bone metastases, 8.3% for patients with bone metastases, and 2.5% for those with both bone metastases and SREs. The adjusted MRR was 10.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 9.5-11.6] for breast cancer patients with bone metastases, and 14.4 (95% CI 13.1-15.8) for those with bone metastases and SREs, compared with breast cancer patients with no bone metastases but possibly other sites of metastases. A similar pattern persisted when analyses were stratified by stage or treatment. Breast cancer patients with bone metastases and SREs have a poor prognosis compared to those with and without bone metastases regardless of cancer treatment or stage of disease at diagnosis.
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 04/2011; 129(2):495-503. · 4.43 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To examine time trends of survival and mortality of ovarian cancer in the central and northern Denmark regions during the period 1998-2009.
We conducted a cohort study including women recorded with a first-time diagnosis of ovarian cancer in the Danish National Registry of Patients (DNRP) between 1998 and 2009. Patients were followed for survival through the Danish Civil Registration System. We determined survival stratified by age, and used Cox proportional hazard regression analyses to obtain mortality rate ratios (MRRs) to assess changes over time.
We found no improvement in overall ovarian cancer survival between 1998 and 2009. One-year survival was 71% in 1998-2000 and 68% in 2007-2009. Three-year survival declined from 48% in 1998-2000 to 46% in 2007-2009 (predicted), and 5-year survival declined from 40% in 1998-2000 to 37% in 2007-2009 (predicted). Compared with the period 1998-2000, the age-adjusted 1-year MRR was 1.05 (95% confidence interval CI: 0.86-1.28) for the period 2007-2009, and the predicted age-adjusted 3- and 5-year MRRs were 0.96 (95% CI: 0.83-1.12) and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.86-1.14), respectively. Results are not adjusted for tumor stage as this information was not available. We also observed a decline in the annual number of incident ovarian cancer patients during the study period, most pronounced in the youngest age group.
The survival of ovarian cancer patients did not improve during the study period. This lack of improvement contrasts with the national cancer strategies implemented during this last decade, focusing on improving the survival of ovarian cancer patients.
Clinical Epidemiology 01/2011; 3 Suppl 1:59-64.
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ABSTRACT: Primary liver cancer (PLC) is a serious disease with high mortality. During the last decade, improvements in the diagnostic procedures and treatment of PLC may have improved survival. However, few updated longitudinal studies examined this issue. In a population-based setting, we studied changes in the prognoses over time.
Between 1998 and 2009, we identified all patients with PLC in the central and northern Denmark regions, with a combined population of 1.8 million. We determined age- and period-stratified survival, and computed mortality rate ratios (MRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), using Cox proportional hazard regression to assess changes over time, while controlling for age and gender. We conducted the analyses for PLC overall and separately for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma, respectively.
We included 1064 patients with PLC. Their median age was 69 years (range 17-94 years). The number of patients diagnosed with PLC in the period 2007-2009 was approximately 40% higher than the number in 1998-2000. One-year survival increased from 16% in 1998-2000 to 28% in 2007-2009, corresponding to an adjusted 1-year MRR of 0.65 (95% CI: 0.54-0.79). In patients aged <60 years, we found the most pronounced increase in 1-year survival, from 14% to 49% in women and from 19% to 41% in men. The 3- and 5-year survival in the entire cohort increased from 5% to a predicted 11% and from 2% to a predicted 7% during our study period, respectively. Accordingly, the expected 3- and 5-year adjusted MRRs were 0.68 (95% CI: 0.57-0.82) and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.57-0.81), respectively. One-, 3-, and 5-year survival improved during the study period for both HCC and cholangiocarcinoma.
PLC survival remains poor in the Danish population, although we observed an increase over the period 1998-2009, particularly in young people.
Clinical Epidemiology 01/2011; 3 Suppl 1:3-10.
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ABSTRACT: In Denmark, the strategy for treatment of cancer with metastases to the liver has changed dramatically during the period 1998 to 2009, when multidisciplinary care and a number of new treatments were introduced. We therefore examined the changes in survival in Danish patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) or other solid tumors (non-CRC) who had liver metastases at time of diagnosis.
We included patients diagnosed with liver metastases synchronous with a primary cancer (ie, a solid cancer diagnosed at the same date or within 60 days after liver metastasis diagnosis) during the period 1998 to 2009 identified through the Danish National Registry of Patients. We followed those who survived for more than 60 days in a survival analysis (n = 1021). Survival and mortality rate ratio (MRR) at 1, 3, and 5 years stratified by year of diagnosis were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.
In the total study population of 1021 patients, 541 patients had a primary CRC and 480 patients non-CRC. Overall, the 5-year survival improved from 3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1%-6%) in 1998-2000 to 10% (95% CI: 6%-14%) in 2007 to 2009 (predicted value). The 5-year survival for CRC-patients improved from 1% (95% CI: 0%-5%) to 11% (95% CI: 6%-18%) whereas survival for non-CRC patients only increased from 5% (95% CI: 1%-10%) to 8% (95% CI: 4%-14%).
We observed improved survival in patients with liver metastases in a time period characterized by introduction of a structured multidisciplinary care and improved treatment options. The survival gain was most prominent for CRC-patients.
Clinical Epidemiology 01/2011; 3 Suppl 1:11-7.
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ABSTRACT: Prostate cancer is the most common noncutaneous cancer among Danish men. During the last decade, use of prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing has increased, and in clinically localized prostate cancer, curative intended treatment has gained a footing. Our aim was to examine possible changes in the short- and long-term survival of patients with prostate cancer during 1998-2009.
From two Danish regions (population, 1.8 million) we included all patients (N = 10,547) with an incident diagnosis of prostate cancer retrieved from the Danish National Registry of Patients. We determined survival after 1, 3, and 5 years, stratified by age, and estimated mortality rate ratios (MRRs) using Cox proportional hazard regression to assess changes over time, controlling for age.
During the study period, the annual number of incident prostate cancer patients more than doubled, and the median age at diagnosis decreased from 74 to 70 years. The survival improved over the study period, particularly in the last half of the period (2004-2009). Thus, 1-year survival increased from 80% (1998-2000) to 90% (2007-2009), corresponding to an age-adjusted MRR of 0.54 (95% confidence interval CI: 0.46-0.63). The expected increase in 3- and 5-year survival was even more pronounced: 47%-73% and 34%-60%, respectively. This corresponded to a 3-year age-adjusted MRR of 0.46 (95% CI: 0.42-0.51) and a 5-year MRR of 0.50 (95% CI: 0.46-0.54). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival increased in all age groups (<70 years, 70-79 years, ≥80 years).
Survival after prostate cancer has improved in Denmark within the last decade. Although diagnosis and treatment improvements could explain this, length and lead time bias are likely to have influenced our results.
Clinical Epidemiology 01/2011; 3 Suppl 1:41-6.
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ABSTRACT: For decades, kidney cancer patients in Denmark have had lower survival than patients in the other Scandinavian countries. Our aim was to study possible changes in survival of patients with kidney cancer after implementation of two national Danish cancer plans.
From 1998 through 2009 we included all patients (N = 2659) with an incident diagnosis of kidney cancer in two Danish regions (population 1.8 million). Data were retrieved from the Danish National Registry of Patients. We computed survival after 1, 3, and 5 years, stratified by age, and estimated mortality rate ratios (MRRs) using Cox regression to assess changes over time, controlling for age and gender. We lacked data on stage distribution. Among patients who had a nephrectomy we also computed 30-day mortality and 30-day MRRs.
During the study period, we identified 2659 patients with kidney cancer. The annual number of patients increased from 583 in the period 1998-2000 to 853 in the period 2007-2009. The median age at diagnosis was 69 years throughout the study period. The overall 1-year survival improved from 56% (1998-2000) to 63% (2007-2009), corresponding to an adjusted MRR of 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66-0.93). We predicted the 3-year survival to increase from 40% to 51% and the 5-year survival to increase from 33% to 42%, corresponding to predicted MRRs of 0.76 (95% CI 0.66-0.87) and 0.77 (95% CI 0.68-0.89), respectively. Survival increased in all age groups (15-59 years, 60-74 years, 75+ years) and in both genders, except for men below 60 years, for whom the 1-year survival declined from 76% to 69%. The 30-day mortality after nephrectomy declined from 4% to 2% during the study period.
We observed an improvement in the survival and relative mortality in kidney cancer patients, although not in men younger than 60 years.
Clinical Epidemiology 01/2011; 3 Suppl 1:53-8.
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ABSTRACT: Confounding from comorbidity and socioeconomic status may have biased earlier findings of all-cause mortality among patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We therefore examined all-cause mortality among 72,295 Danish patients with BCC, 11,601 with SCC, and 383,714 age- and gender-matched population control cohort subjects with extensive control for comorbidity and socioeconomic status. Data on cancer, death, and socioeconomic status were obtained from medical databases and Statistics Denmark. We analysed data using Cox regression analysis, with estimation of 10-year mortality rate ratios (MRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Mortality was reduced among patients with BCC (10-year MRR = 0.91 (95% CI: 0.89-0.92) and did not vary by age, comorbidity, or socioeconomic status. Mortality among patients with SCC was increased and varied by age, selected chronic diseases, but not socioeconomic status. The reduced mortality observed among patients with BCC and the increased mortality among patients with SCC persisted even after extensive control for comorbidity and socioeconomic status.
Acta Dermato-Venereologica 07/2010; 90(4):362-7.
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ABSTRACT: We describe mortality in patients with prostate cancer with and without bone metastasis further characterized by skeletal related events.
We performed a cohort study of 23,087 incident patients with prostate cancer with a median 2.2-year followup identified through the Danish National Patient Registry from 1999 to 2007. We estimated the cumulative incidence of bone metastasis and skeletal related events, and described survival using the Kaplan-Meier method. Based on a Cox proportional hazard model we estimated mortality rate ratios and associated 95% CIs comparing mortality rates between patients by bone metastasis with and without skeletal related events, adjusting for age and comorbidity.
Of the patients 569 (almost 3%) presented with bone metastasis at prostate cancer diagnosis, of whom 248 (43.6%) experienced a skeletal related event during followup. Of the 22,404 men (97% overall) without bone metastasis at diagnosis 2,578 (11.5%) were diagnosed with bone metastasis and 1,329 (5.9%) also experienced a skeletal related event during followup. One and 5-year survival was 87% and 56% in patients with prostate cancer without bone metastasis, 47% and 3% in those with bone metastasis, and 40% and less than 1% in those with bone metastasis and skeletal related events, respectively. Compared with men with prostate cancer without bone metastasis the adjusted 1-year mortality rate ratio was 4.7 (95% CI 4.3-5.2) in those with bone metastasis and no skeletal related events, and 6.6 (95% CI 5.9-7.5) in those with bone metastasis and a skeletal related event.
Bone metastasis and skeletal related events predict poor prognosis in men with prostate cancer.
The Journal of urology 07/2010; 184(1):162-7. · 4.02 Impact Factor
