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Biomedical subjects

G López-Abente

Publications and source records attributed to G López-Abente.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Acute health problems among subjects involved in the cleanup operation following the Prestige oil spill in Asturias and Cantabria (Spain).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate exposure conditions and acute health effects in subjects participating in the Prestige oil spill cleanup activities and the association between these and the nature of the work and use of protection devices in the regions of Asturias and Cantabria (Spain). The sample comprised 400 subjects in each region, selected from a random sampling of all persons involved in cleanup activities, stratified by type of worker and number of working days. Data were obtained via a structured questionnaire and included information on specific tasks, number of working days, use of protective materials, and acute health effects. These effects were classified into two broad groups: injuries and toxic effects. Data analysis was performed using complex survey methods. Significant differences between groups were evaluated using Pearson's chi(2) test. Unconditional logistic regression was used to compute odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Bird cleaners accounted for the highest prevalence of injuries (19% presented with lesions). Working more than 20 days in highly polluted areas was associated with increased risk of injury in all workers. Occurrence of toxic effects was higher among seamen, possibly due to higher exposure to fuel oil and its components. Toxic effects were more frequent among those working longer than 20 days in highly polluted areas, performing three or more different cleaning activities, having skin contact with fuel oil on head/neck or upper limbs, and eating while in contact with fuel or perceiving disturbing odors. No severe disorders were identified among individuals who performed these tasks. However, potential health impact should be considered when organizing cleanup activities in similar environmental disasters.

Accidents↗
PubMed2005

Municipal pleural cancer mortality in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Pleural cancer is a recognised indicator of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma mortality. AIMS: To investigate the distribution of municipal mortality due to this tumour, using the autoregressive spatial model proposed by Besag, York, and Mollie. METHODS: It was possible to compile and ascertain the posterior distribution of relative risk on the basis of a single Bayesian spatial model covering all of Spain's 8077 municipal areas. Maps were plotted depicting standardised mortality ratios, smoothed relative risk (RR) estimates, and the distribution of the posterior probability that RR >1. RESULTS: There was a higher risk of death due to pleural cancer in well defined towns and areas, many of which correspond to municipalities where asbestos using industries once existed for many years, the prime example being the municipal pattern registered for Barcelona Province. The quality of mortality data, the suitability of the model used, and the usefulness of municipal atlases for environmental surveillance are discussed.

Asbestos↗
PubMed2004

Cutaneous melanoma: hints from occupational risks by anatomic site in Swedish men.

AIMS: To improve knowledge of the epidemiology of melanoma by comparing occupational risks of cutaneous melanoma (CM) by anatomic site in Swedish workers. METHODS: Male workers employed in 1970 and living in the country in 1960 were followed up from 1971 to 1989 using the Swedish Registers of Death and Cancer. A more specifically exposed subcohort included men reporting the same occupation in 1960 and 1970. For each location, occupational risk ratios (RRs) were extracted from Poisson regression models adjusted by age, period, town size, and geographical area. To diminish the influence of socioeconomic factors, intrasector analyses, comparing only jobs belonging to the same occupational sector, were performed. Risk patterns for different locations were compared. RESULTS: High RRs for different sites were found among workers exposed to UV sources (dentists, physiotherapists, and lithographers), and sun exposed workers (harbour masters, and lighthouse/related work). Risk excesses were seen in fur tailors, tanners/fur dressers, patternmakers/cutters, electrical fitters/wiremen, telephone/telegraph installers/repairmen, and some glass/pottery/tile workers. Results for lower and upper limbs were significantly correlated but somewhat independent of those found in thorax, the most frequent location. Correlation between head/neck and thorax was moderate. Specific risk excesses were found for rolling mill workers in head/neck, for chimney sweeps in upper limbs, and for aircraft pilots/navigators/flight engineers in lower limbs. CONCLUSIONS: High RRs in the trunk among occupations with UV exposure from artificial sources suggest an effect not restricted to exposed sites. An unusual distribution of cases and RRs in chimney sweeps, rolling-mill, or glass/pottery/tile workers suggests local effects of exposures. The not previously reported risk excess in this job and in fur related processes, and the RR in electrical fitters and telephone/telegraph installers deserve further investigation. Disparities between locations, as RRs in thorax and limbs, may reflect differences in aetiological mechanisms.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Geographical pattern of brain cancer incidence in the Navarre and Basque Country regions of Spain.

BACKGROUND: The study of the distribution of brain cancer mortality in Spain shows a grouping of highest risk provinces corresponding to the autonomous regions of Navarre and the Basque Country. AIM: To explore the possible existence of geographical patterns in these areas. METHODS: Municipal maps of brain cancer incidence were drawn up and the influence of land use related variables on the distribution of the disease duly analysed. Autoregressive conditional models were used to plot smoothed municipal maps. The influence of explanatory land use variables, ascertained by remote sensing, was assessed. RESULTS: The maps revealed that certain towns situated in the "Media" and "Cantábrica-Baja Montaña" districts of Navarre were areas of highest risk. Among the towns in question, those in the "Media" district lie very close to the city of Pamplona. However, the pattern of brain cancer incidence in Navarre and the Basque Country could not be conclusively said to be determined by any specific type of land cover and/or crop. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest a possible increase of risk linked to areas devoted to a high percentage of non-irrigated arable land.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed2001

Solid-tumor mortality in the vicinity of uranium cycle facilities and nuclear power plants in Spain.

To ascertain solid tumor mortality in towns near Spain's four nuclear power plants and four nuclear fuel facilities from 1975 to 1993, we conducted a mortality study based on 12,245 cancer deaths in 283 towns situated within a 30-km radius of the above installations. As nonexposed areas, we used 275 towns lying within a 50- to 100-km radius of each installation, matched by population size and sociodemographic characteristics (income level, proportion of active population engaged in farming, proportion of unemployed, percentage of illiteracy, and province). Using log-linear models, we examined relative risk for each area and trends in risk with increasing proximity to an installation. The results reveal a pattern of solid-tumor mortality in the vicinity of uranium cycle facilities, basically characterized by excess lung [relative risk (RR) 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-1.25] and renal cancer mortality (RR 1.37, 95% CI, 1.07-1.76). Besides the effects of natural radiation, these results could well be evincing the influence on public health exerted by the environmental impact of mining. No such well-defined pattern appeared in the vicinity of nuclear power plants. Monitoring of cancer incidence and mortality is recommended in areas surrounding nuclear fuel facilities and nuclear power plants, and more specific studies are called for in areas adjacent to installations that have been fully operational for longer periods. In this regard, it is important to use dosimetric information in all future studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Time trends in ovarian cancer incidence in Navarra (1973-1995): effect of age, birth cohort and period of diagnosis].

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common malignancy and the first killer among gynaecologic cancers in women of the European Union. Five years after diagnosis relative survival rates were less than 35%. The aims of the present study are to describe the time trends in ovarian cancer incidence in Navarra over the period 1973-1995, and to identify the age, period-of-diagnosis and birth-cohort components underlying the trend's evolution. METHODS: Standard summary indexes of incidence were calculated. Log-linear Poisson models to quantify risks of ovarian cancer and the relative annual trend were used. Age-period-cohort models were adjusted in order to ascertain the effects on time trend exerted by the respective age, period-of-diagnosis and birth-cohort components. RESULTS: Ovarian cancer incidence has showed annual rises of 2.1% over the period 1973-1995, with stabilisation over the period 1988-1995. A 54% increase in the risk of ovarian cancer was shown for the period 1993-1995 vs.1973-1977. The more recent generations of women born in Navarra do not show significant changes in the risk of ovarian cancer. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable rise in ovarian cancer incidence in Navarra over the period 1973-1995 was found, less pronounced in the last decade. The risk of ovarian cancer shown in the more recent generations of women born in Navarra is stable.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2000

Time trends in ovarian cancer mortality in Europe (1955-1993): effect of age, birth cohort and period of death.

The time trend in ovarian cancer mortality in the European Union over the period 1955-1993, and the age, period-of-death and birth cohort components underlying the trend's evolution were analysed using log-linear Poisson models to quantify risk of dying from ovarian cancer in the different countries and regions of Europe, and ascertain the relative annual trend for each country. Furthermore, age-period-cohort models were fitted for each country in order to ascertain the effect on time trend exerted by the respective age, period-of-death and birth cohort components. Ovarian cancer mortality proved 2.77-fold (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.60-2.95) higher in northern versus southern Europe over the period 1955-1993. Denmark registered the highest adjusted rates, namely, 14.3 per 100000 person-years for the 1989-1993 5-year period, the last studied, with Portugal (4.5 per 100000) and Greece (4.5 per 100000) being the countries with the lowest rates. Spain and Greece, with annual rises of 5.8% (95% CI 5.3-6.3) and 5.1% (95% CI 4.2-6.0) respectively, were the countries that displayed the greatest increase in ovarian cancer mortality. Risk of death associated with the birth cohort effect declined in all northern countries from 1920 to 1930. In the south, Italy and France recorded a decline in risk from 1930. Women in Spain and Greece registered an increase in birth cohort-associated mortality, which became less pronounced after 1930. Ovarian cancer mortality in Europe evinces a south-north distribution pattern. The mortality risk for women cohorts born in northern Europe witnessed a gradual decline from 1920 to 1930. In the southern region: (1) Italy and France display a cohort effect of decreased risk from 1930; and (2) Greece and Spain show a cohort effect of increased risk among the different generations of women, though this became less pronounced from 1930 onwards.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The association of dietary folate, B6, and B12 with cardiovascular mortality in Spain: an ecological analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the association of dietary folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 with cardiovascular mortality. METHODS: Poisson regression analyses assessed coronary/cerebrovascular mortality rates via nutrient data obtained from the National Nutrition Survey, which recorded 7-day food intakes from a national sample of 21,155 households. RESULTS: In regard to coronary mortality, male and female rate ratios (highest vs lowest quintile) were 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.77, 0.91) and 0.95 (95% CI = 0.86, 1.05), respectively, for folate and 0.74 (95% CI = 0.65, 0.84) and 0.86 (95% CI = 0.73, 0.99), respectively, for B12. Intake of folate and B6 (but not B12) was significantly associated with cerebrovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: B vitamins are associated with cardiovascular mortality in the general population.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Risk factors for Echinococcus granulosus infection: a case-control study.

Despite the importance of cystic hydatid disease worldwide, no case-control study evaluating the risk factors for Echinococcus granulosus infection has been published to date. Thus, we carried out a hospital study to quantify different risk factors associated with the disease in a province marked by a high incidence of hydatidosis (Soria, Spain). The study population was composed of 127 cases and 127 controls matched by sex, age, and residence. Odds ratios (ORs) for hydatidosis decreased inversely with size of place of birth and residence, and increased with the number of dogs and years of coexistence with them. The variable involving the possibility of dogs ingesting uncooked viscera or carrion proved to be of greater importance (OR = 3.99, 95% confidence interval = 1.94-8.20). Risk factors for hydatidosis traceable to the family environment are of greater relative importance than those attributable to working directly with livestock. No association could be found between ingestion of raw green vegetables and hydatidosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Brain cancer incidence in the provinces of Zaragoza and Navarre (Spain): effect of age, period and birth cohort.

Several studies have detected increases in malignant brain tumour incidence and mortality rates particularly among the elderly. We analyzed time trends in malignant brain tumors incidence in Zaragoza over the period 1973-1990 and Navarre over the period 1973-1991, two Spanish provinces that have been collecting data through their respective Cancer Registries for the last 20 years, using Poisson regression analysis of age, period of diagnosis and cohort. In general, age-adjusted rates showed a steady rise in both registries, except in the case of females in Navarre, for whom a decrease in risk was observed for the last period, 1988-1991. This increase is a reflection of the rise in incidence experienced by the elderly, since the cohorts successively register rates that are stable over time, and even downward in the case of females in Navarre. The risk run by generations born circa 1920-1930 was the highest encountered. Rates were higher in Navarre in both sexes and for all but the last period in females, when rates on the two registers stood level. Increasingly generalised use of CT scanning and magnetic resonance in the 1980s in Spain, coupled with better and more effective health care access for the elderly, are factors that may well have some bearing on these findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Malignant brain tumour mortality among children and adolescents: geographical distribution in Spain.

Log-linear Poisson mixed models were used to study provincial malignant brain tumour (MBT) mortality among children and adolescents in Spain (1975-1992) in order to investigate the influence of specific socio-economic factors and to produce smoothed estimators of standardised mortality ratios (SMRs). Interdependence between geographical units was taken into account by including provinces as random effect terms nested with the corresponding Autonomous Region (Spain's administrative divisions). MBT mortality showed a positive association with three variables: non-cancer-related infant mortality; percentage of provincial land surface area devoted to agriculture; and industrial/construction activity. According to the final model, SMRs increased by 4% with every 10% rise in the area devoted to agriculture, with a 4% excess risk predicted for every increase in non-cancer-related infant mortality of 1 per 1000 person-years, and a 7% excess risk for contiguous categories of industrial/construction activity. By smoothing extreme values caused by random variability, the regression model yielded a reasonable estimation of SMRs. While infant mortality may be linked to the quality of medical care available, the relationship seen between MBT mortality and agricultural area accords with the excess risk reported for farmers' offspring. Finally, industrial activity might be regarded as a risk factor or as a marker of other conditions also associated with these tumours.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Other cancers in patients with gastric MALT lymphoma.

Patients with Hodgkin's disease and nodal non-Hodgkin's lymphomas seem to have an excess risk for other cancers. A high incidence of other cancers has also been found in some series of patients with gastric MALT lymphomas. In a series of 136 patients with gastric MALT lymphomas the occurrence and features of other cancers have been described. In order to evaluate their occurrence statistically (excluding skin cancers) standard incidence ratios (SRI) have been calculated, using the incidence rates of a Cancer Registry in Spain as a reference. A Cox's multivariate proportional hazard model was fitted in order to evaluate the influence of age, sex, histological grade and treatment with chemotherapy or chemotherapy plus radiotherapy in the development of other non-skin cancers occurring after the diagnosis of MALT lymphoma. Other cancers were detected in 16 of the 136 patients (11.7%); the other cancer was detected prior to MALT gastric lymphoma in 6 patients (4.41%), concomitantly in 4 (2.9%) and after diagnosis of the lymphoma in 6 (4.41%). Other cancers occurred in 14.4% of the male and in 8.3% of the female patients; in 12% of the patients with low grade and in 11% of the patients with high grade lymphomas. Of the 6 cancers that occurred after diagnosis of the gastric lymphoma, 3 did in the 80 patients (3.7%) that had been treated with chemotherapy, 1 in the 3 cases (33%) treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy and 2 in the 53 patients (3.7%) who had not received chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The most frequent other cancers were lymphoid neoplasms and gastric carcinoma. There was not an excess of other cancers in the whole cohort or in the sex or histological grade strata. There was an excess close to significance (SIR =2.59; 95% CI:0.98-6.88) in the patients under 50 years of age. In the Cox's analysis, age, sex, histological grade and treatment did not influence the occurrence of other cancers after the diagnosis of lymphoma. In conclusion, in patients with gastric MALT lymphoma other cancers also occur. An excess incidence was not demonstrated, although it may exist in patients under 50 years. Of special importance is the occurrence of gastric cancer that appears concomitantly or after gastric lymphoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1999

Leukemia, lymphomas, and myeloma mortality in the vicinity of nuclear power plants and nuclear fuel facilities in Spain.

Mortality due to hematological tumors in towns near Spain's seven nuclear power plants and five nuclear fuel facilities during the period 1975-1993 was ascertained. The study was based on 610 leukemia-, 198 lymphoma-, and 122 myeloma-induced deaths in 489 towns situated within a 30-km radius of such installations. As control areas, we used 477 towns lying within a 50- to 100-km radius of each installation, matched by population size and a series of sociodemographic characteristics (income level, proportion of active population engaged in farming, proportion of unemployed, percentage of illiteracy, and province). Relative risk (RR) for each area and the trends in risk with increasing proximity to an installation were analyzed using log-linear models. None of the nuclear power plants registered an excess risk of leukemia-induced mortality in any of the surrounding areas. Excess risk of leukemia mortality was, however, observed in the vicinity of the uranium-processing facilities in Andújar [RR, 1.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.64] and Ciudad Rodrigo (RR, 1.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.92-3.08). Excess risk of multiplemyeloma mortality was found in the area surrounding the Zorita nuclear power plant. Statistical testing revealed that, with the single exception of multiple myeloma, none of the tumors studied showed evidence of a rise in risk with proximity to an installation. No study area yielded evidence of a raised risk of leukemia mortality among persons under the age of 25 years. More specific studies are called for in areas near installations that have been fully operational for longer periods. In this connection, stress should be laid on the importance of using dosimetric information in all future studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Rising incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in Spain: analysis of period of diagnosis and cohort effects.

Incidence trends in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas for the period 1973-1991 were studied using data from Spain's Zaragoza and Navarre registries. The overall rate of increase was 5.8% per year. Age-period-cohort models were used, also including sex and registry as explanatory variables. In these models, the variable period was categorized according to the observed changes in diagnostic availability during the length of the study. Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas increased with age, and rates were 31% lower in women. Incidence was almost 50% higher in Navarre, but differences in registry procedures might account for this discrepancy. The rise affects all adult age groups and seems to be the result of changes related not only to the period of diagnosis, mainly ascribable to improvements in diagnostic and coding practices, but also to the birth cohort. According to the model, the risk increased with on-coming generations at a rate of 1.5% per year. The AIDS epidemic in Spain is unable to explain this trend, although it may well exert a stronger influence in the future. Additional knowledge is required to understand the observed rise and to prevent the growing numbers of cases that are expected in years to come.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Childhood cancer incidence in Zaragoza and Navarre (Spain): 1973-1987.

Patterns and trends in childhood cancer incidence for Navarre and Zaragoza registries were studied over the 15-year period, 1973-1987. Overall cancer rates and rates for 10 specific types of cancer were analysed using a log-linear Poisson model or, alternatively, a gamma-Poisson model whenever overdispersion was present, with age, sex, registry and period being used as predictor variables. Childhood cancer was 30% more frequent in boys than in girls, and, except for lymphomas and bone tumours, incidence decreased remarkably with age. Adjusted rates were high in comparison with other European countries, particularly in the case of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Cancer rates proved somewhat higher in Navarre, but this difference attained statistical significance solely in the case of central nervous system tumours (rate ratio = 1.75; 95% confidence interval 1.21-2.54). A significant rise in overall incidence was observed (11% 5-yearly increase) due mainly to the upward trend in central nervous system tumours. While the rise in these tumours coincides with the period which witnessed the spread of computerised tomography in Spain, the trend nevertheless held steady over the last 5-year period, when access to this diagnostic technique had already become generalised nationwide.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Gastric cancer in the European Union (1968-1992): mortality trends and cohort effect.

PURPOSE: To analyze patterns and trends in gastric cancer mortality in the European Union (EU) over the period 1968-1992, paying special attention to changes associated with birth cohort. METHODS: Poisson log-linear models were used to quantify geographic differences and relative annual changes. To assess trends associated with birth cohort, invariant parameters from sex-specific age-period-chohort models (net drift and curvature), for each country, were used to choose a restricted slope range for cohort effect. RESULTS: Gastric cancer mortality declined throughout the EU. The male-to-female ratio stood at around 2 in all countries, yet showed a slight rise over time. Portugal reported the highest age-adjusted rates for men and women (45.63 and 23.31 per 100,000 person-years, respectively). The rate ratio between two extreme countries (Portugal/Denmark) exceeded 3. Quantitative intercountry differences were found in trend slopes, with a decrease of 5% per annum in Finland. Risk of dying associated with birth cohort decreased over successive generations. Small local rises in risk, in almost all countries among generations born around the 1940s, support the importance of diet early in life in the etiology of gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the substantial decline in gastric cancer mortality witnessed in the EU, stress must be accounted for the wide differences among countries and the smaller decline in the youngest generations, particularly among women. This latter finding suggests a possible stabilization or even a rise in the rates in future, rendering it important for these trends to be monitored over the next few years.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Cattle, pets, and Paget's disease of bone.

To identify animal-related factors associated with Paget's disease of bone (osteitis deformans), we conducted a case-control study in two geographical areas of Spain characterized by different socioeconomic profiles. The analysis presented here is based on 149 cases and 150 controls, frequency matched by sex, age, study area, and place of residence in youth (urban/rural). From a logistic regression analysis, we found that contact with bovine cattle [odds ratio (OR) = 2.14; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16-3.94], consumption of meat traceable to sick livestock (OR = 2.70; 95% CI = 0.98-7.43), and frequent consumption during youth of brains (OR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.05-2.98) and other viscera increased the risk for Paget's disease of bone. Contact with bovine cattle and consumption during youth of bovid viscera exhibited a dose-response effect as regards length of exposure and frequency of consumption, respectively. A life-style shared with dogs showed itself to be differentially linked to the disease in one study area. Overall, our results support the hypothesis that various animal species are carriers of etiologic agents of Paget's disease of bone.

Aged↗