Variations in hospitalization and emergency department/observation stays using the oncology care model methodology in Medicare data.

Objective: To assess variations in hospitalizations, emergency department/observational (ED/OB) stays not resulting in hospitalization, reasons for hospitalization, and hospitalization discharge destinations after chemotherapy, information not provided as part of Oncology Care Model (OCM) baseline data.

Methods: OCM methodology was applied to the Medicare 20% sample data to identify 6-month patient episodes triggered by chemotherapy in 2012-2015. Proportions of episodes with hospitalization or ED/OB stays, reasons for hospitalization, and discharge destinations were summarized.

Duration of short-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for primary prophylaxis and risk of neutropenia-related hospitalization in older patients with cancer.

Purpose: Evaluate the relationship between duration of primary prophylactic short-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (PP-sG-CSF) and risk of neutropenia-related hospitalization (NRH) in older patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy.

Methods: Using the Medicare claims database, we conducted a nested case-control study in a cohort of patients aged ≥66 years with breast, colorectal, lung, ovarian, or prostate cancer, or non-Hodgkin lymphoma who initiated a first cycle of any myelosuppressive chemotherapy January 1, 2008-September 30, 2016, and received PP-sG-CSF. We matched up to four controls to each NRH case by age, cancer type, regimen febrile neutropenia (FN) risk category, and year using incidence density sampling.

Patterns of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prophylaxis in patients with cancer receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy.

Purpose: To evaluate patterns of primary prophylactic (PP) granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) use following chemotherapy by cancer type and febrile neutropenia (FN) risk.

Methods: Using a commercial administrative database, we identified adult patients diagnosed with breast, colorectal, lung, ovarian cancer, or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) who initiated chemotherapy with high risk (HR) or intermediate risk (IR) for FN between January 1, 2013, and August 31, 2017. We describe use of PP-G-CSF, proportion completing all their cycles with pegfilgrastim, timing of pegfilgrastim, and duration of short-acting G-CSF.

Prevalence of RAS and BRAF mutations in metastatic colorectal cancer patients by tumor sidedness: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Studies have shown that the prevalence of RAS and BRAF mutations may differ by tumor sidedness among metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. Both mutation status and tumor sidedness may impact survival and disease progression and RAS mutation status has been shown to predict response to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence of RAS and BRAF mutations by tumor sidedness in studies of mCRC patients.

A Survey of Oncologists' Perceptions and Opinions Regarding the Use of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factors.

The purpose of the study is to describe oncologists' perceptions and opinions about patient eligibility, guidelines, and barriers for use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), overall and stratified by their affiliation with the Oncology Care Model (OCM). In May 2018, we invited and recruited practicing US oncologists from a national database for an online survey. Level of agreement was identified using a seven-point scale, ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree.

Prognostic impact of tumor MET expression among patients with stage IV gastric cancer: a Danish cohort study.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the prevalence and prognostic impact of tumor mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (MET) expression in stage IV gastric cancers in a real-world clinical setting because existing evidence is sparse.

Methods: The study included archived cancer specimens from 103 stage IV gastric cancer patients (2003-2010). We analyzed MET-protein expression by immunohistochemistry (MET-positive if ≥25% of tumor cells showed MET expression).

Racial and Ethnic Variability in the Prevalence and Incidence of Comorbidities Associated with Gastric Cancer in the United States.

Purpose: Comorbidities are known to impact quality of life, treatment choices, and survival. Our objectives were to characterize comorbid conditions in a cohort of elderly gastric cancer patients and to determine if there is variability in the prevalence or incidence of the comorbid conditions across racial/ethnic groups.

Methods: A total of 12,612 individuals, ≥66 years of age, diagnosed with gastric cancer between 2000 and 2007, and an equal number of gender- and region-matched cancer-free individuals, were identified using the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry linked to Medicare claims in the United States.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia: an assessment of international incidence, survival, and disease burden.

Purpose: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a rare hematological malignancy. With the recent introduction of a classification system for hematopoietic and lymphoid neoplasms, more comprehensive assessment of ALL epidemiology is now possible. In this study, we describe recent international incidence of ALL and project the annual number of diagnoses to 2025.

Mesothelioma among Motor Vehicle Mechanics: An Updated Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: We published a meta-analysis of the association between work as a motor vehicle mechanic and mesothelioma in 2004. Since then, several relevant studies on this topic have been published. Thus, to update the state-of-the-science on this issue, we conducted a new systematic review and meta-analysis.

Analysis of mobile phone design features affecting radiofrequency power absorbed in a human head phantom.

The US FCC mandates the testing of all mobile phones to demonstrate compliance with the rule requiring that the peak spatial SAR does not exceed the limit of 1.6 W/kg averaged over any 1 g of tissue. These test data, measured in phantoms with mobile phones operating at maximum antenna input power, permitted us to evaluate the variation in SARs across mobile phone design factors such as shape and antenna design, communication technology, and test date (over a 7-year period).

Survival after liver resection in metastatic colorectal cancer: review and meta-analysis of prognostic factors.

Background: Hepatic metastases develop in approximately 50% of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases. We performed a review and meta-analysis to evaluate survival after resection of CRC liver metastases (CLMs) and estimated the summary effect for seven prognostic factors.

Methods: Studies published between 1999 and 2010, indexed on Medline, that reported survival after resection of CLMs, were reviewed.

Use of electronic medical records (EMR) for oncology outcomes research: assessing the comparability of EMR information to patient registry and health claims data.

Unlabelled: Electronic medical records (EMRs) are used increasingly for research in clinical oncology, epidemiology, and comparative effectiveness research (CER).

Objective: To assess the utility of using EMR data in population-based cancer research by comparing a database of EMRs from community oncology clinics against Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registry data and two claims databases (Medicare and commercial claims).

Study Design And Setting: DEMOGRAPHIC, CLINICAL, AND TREATMENT PATTERNS IN THE EMR, SEER, MEDICARE, AND COMMERCIAL CLAIMS DATA WERE COMPARED USING SIX TUMOR SITES: breast, lung/bronchus, head/neck, colorectal, prostate, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

An evaluation of self-reported mobile phone use compared to billing records among a group of engineers and scientists.

Most epidemiologic studies of potential health impacts of mobile phones rely on self-reported information, which can lead to exposure misclassification. We compared self-reported questionnaire data among 60 participants, and phone billing records over a 3-year period (2002-2004). Phone usage information was compared by the calculation of the mean and median number of calls and duration of use, as well as correlation coefficients and associated P-values.

Measured radiofrequency exposure during various mobile-phone use scenarios.

Epidemiologic studies of mobile phone users have relied on self reporting or billing records to assess exposure. Herein, we report quantitative measurements of mobile-phone power output as a function of phone technology, environmental terrain, and handset design. Radiofrequency (RF) output data were collected using software-modified phones that recorded power control settings, coupled with a mobile system that recorded and analyzed RF fields measured in a phantom head placed in a vehicle.

Occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium and cancers of the gastrointestinal tract: a meta-analysis.

Introduction: We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of oral cavity, esophageal, stomach, small intestine, colon, and rectal cancers among workers occupationally exposed to Cr(VI).

Methods: Using PubMed, studies published from 1950 to 2009 evaluating the relationship between Cr(VI) exposure and GI cancers were identified. Measures of effect and variability were extracted from 32 studies meeting specific inclusion criteria, and meta-analysis summary relative risk measures were calculated using random effects models and inverse variance weighting methods.

Neck injuries among electric utility workers, 1995-2007.

Objective: To describe the incidence and impact of neck injuries among electric utility workers.

Methods: Rates of neck injuries per 10,000 employee-years were calculated for various demographic and occupational factors using data from an injury surveillance database established among 17 electric utility companies over the period 1995-2007.

Results: The overall rate of neck injuries was 13.

Occupational trichloroethylene exposure and kidney cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background: We conducted a meta-analysis of occupational studies of trichloroethylene-exposed workers to evaluate patterns of associations by study design, exposure assessment methods, and occupational groups.

Methods: Estimates of summary relative risk (RR) were calculated using inverse-variance weighting methods. Cohort studies were classified as group I or group II, depending on quality of the study design and exposure assessment procedures.

Factors that distinguish serious versus less severe strain and sprain injuries: an analysis of electric utility workers.

Background: Occupational sprain and strain injuries are one of the most common types of nonfatal occupational injuries and a significant source of lost workdays. This study examines factors associated with severe work-related sprain/strain injuries to the back, shoulder, and knees.

Methods: A synthetic case-control study was performed (controls were selected from the same pool of utility workers as cases).

Low-level arsenic exposure in drinking water and bladder cancer: a review and meta-analysis.

Although exposure to high levels of arsenic in drinking water is associated with excess cancer risk (e.g., skin, bladder, and lung), lower exposures (e.

Cancer mortality and oil production in the Amazon Region of Ecuador, 1990-2005.

Objectives: To compare cancer mortality rates in Amazon cantons (counties) with and without long-term oil exploration and extraction activities.

Methods: Mortality (1990 through 2005) and population census (1990 and 2001) data for cantons in the provinces of the northern Amazon Region (Napo, Orellana, Sucumbios, and Pastaza), as well as the province with the capital city of Quito (Pichincha province) were obtained from the National Statistical Office of Ecuador, Instituto Nacional del Estadistica y Censos (INEC). Age- and sex-adjusted mortality rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated to evaluate total and cause-specific mortality in the study regions.

Personal use of hair dyes and risk of bladder cancer: a meta-analysis of epidemiologic data.

Objective: We compared, updated, and expanded the analyses of two previous meta-analyses of personal hair dye exposure and bladder cancer, and briefly discussed the biological plausibility of a systemic hazard to human health from exposure to para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a key chemical in hair dyes.

Methods: The meta-analysis included 11 case-control studies and one cohort study. We evaluated heterogeneity across studies and conducted sensitivity and influence analyses.

Mesothelioma in vehicle mechanics: is the risk different for Australians?

Background: The question of whether vehicle mechanics have an increased risk of mesothelioma has important public health implications. Calculations of relative risk using case reports from the Australian Mesothelioma Registry (AMR) indicate increased risks; however, this contrasts with the results of 19 epidemiologic studies that have found no association.

Aim: To evaluate potential explanations for the discrepancy of findings from epidemiologic studies and AMR reports.