Late presenters among minority patients with chronic hepatitis C infection in the USA

Cancers attributable to infectious agents in Italy

OBJECTIVES

To provide an evidence-based, comprehensive assessment of the current burden of infection-related cancers in Italy.

METHODS

We calculated the proportion of cancers attributable to infectious agents (Helicobacter pylori [Hp]; hepatitis B virus [HBV] and hepatitis C virus [HCV]; human papillomavirus [HPV]; human herpesvirus-8 [HHV8]; Epstein-Barr virus [EBV]; and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]) to estimate the burden of infection-related cancer incidence (2020) and mortality (2017). Data on the prevalence of infections were derived from cross-sectional surveys of the Italian population, and relative risks from meta-analyses and large-scale studies. Attributable fractions were calculated based on the counterfactual scenario of a lack of infection.

RESULTS

We estimated that 7.6% of total cancer deaths in 2017 were attributable to infections, with a higher proportion in men (8.1%) than in women (6.9%). The corresponding figures for incident cases were 6.5%, 6.9% and 6.1%. Hp was the first cause of infection-related cancer deaths (3.3% of the total), followed by HCV (1.8%), HIV (1.1%), HBV (0.9%), HPV, EBV and HHV8 (each ≤0.7%). Regarding incidence, 2.4% of the new cancer cases were due to Hp, 1.3% due to HCV, 1.2% due to HIV, 1.0% due to HPV, 0.6% due to HBV and <0.5% due to EBV and HHV8.

CONCLUSIONS

Our estimate of 7.6% of cancer deaths and 6.9% of incident cases that were attributable to infections in Italy is higher than those estimated in other developed countries. Hp is the major cause of infection-related cancer in Italy. Prevention, screening and treatment policies are needed to control these cancers, which are largely avoidable.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Latinx Population: A Scoping Literature Review

OBJECTIVES

To explore factors associated with the impact of COVID-19 on the Latinx population, a Scoping Review of literature was undertaken.

DESIGN

A systematic review was conducted utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Scoping Review (PRISMA ScR) guidelines. A search of databases PubMed, CINAHL, and APA PsycINFO was conducted and included studies through November 23, 2020.

SAMPLE

Selected articles were limited to English language, included population data from the US, were specific to the topic of COVID-19, Latinx community findings significantly addressed, and added significant information to the developing narrative not covered elsewhere.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies in the final selection included meta-analyses, community-based assessments, and electronic health records reviews of hospital systems and local/state/national public databases. This review describes the prevalence of COVID-19 in the Latinx population, social factors related to disease burden, and the economic implications and disproportionality of COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

The impact of COVID-19 on the Latinx population is multi-factorial. More research is needed to examine each of these factors in greater detail.