Colorectal cancer incidence and mortality: the current status,temporal trends and their attributable risk factors in 60 countries in 2000–2019

Background:Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) imposes a substantial burden on healthcare systems and confers considerable medical expenditures. We aimed to evaluate the global and regional burden in epidemiological trends and factors associated with the incidence and mortality of CRC.Methods:We used data from the GLOBOCAN database to estimate CRC incidence and mortality worldwide in 2020 and their association with the human development index (HDI). Trends of age-standardized rates of incidence and mortality in 60 countries (2000–2019) were evaluated by Joinpoint regression analysis using data of Global Burden of Disease 2019. The association between exposure to country-level lifestyle, metabolic and socioeconomic factors obtained from the World Health Organization Global Health Observatory and World Bank DataBank data and CRC incidence and mortality was determined by multivariable linear regression.Results:CRC incidence and mortality varied greatly in the 60 selected countries, and much higher incidence and mortality were observed in countries with higher HDIs, and vice versa. From 2000 to 2019, significant increases of incidence and mortality were observed for 33 countries (average annual percent changes [AAPCs], 0.24–3.82) and 18 countries (AAPCs, 0.41–2.22), respectively. A stronger increase in incidence was observed among males (AAPCs, 0.36–4.54) and individuals <50 years (AAPCs, 0.56–3.86). Notably, 15 countries showed significant decreases in both incidence (AAPCs, −0.24 to −2.19) and mortality (AAPCs, −0.84 to −2.74). A significant increase of incidence among individuals <50 years was observed in 30 countries (AAPCs, 0.28–3.62). Countries with higher incidence were more likely to have a higher prevalence of alcohol drinking, higher level of cholesterol level, higher level of unemployment, and a poorer healthcare system.Conclusions:Some high-HDI countries showed decreasing trends in CRC incidence and mortality, whereas developing countries that previously had low disease burden showed significantly increased incidence and mortality trends, especially in males and populations ≥50 years, which require targeted preventive health programs.     

The incidence of cardiac lesions in infants born with major gastrointestinal malformations in Northern Ireland

There is a recognised association between major gastrointestinal (GI) malformations and congenital heart disease (CHD). A retrospective study over 10 years involving 240 infants born with gastrointestinal malformations was conducted in the Royal Belfast Hospital For Sick Children (RBHSC). We felt it was important to look at the incidence of CHD diagnosed in the infants presenting to the tertiary referral centre in Belfast. Comparable figures for the incidence of CHD associated with major GI malformations was found in the literature.     

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension; incidence, presenting features and outcome in Northern Ireland (1991-1995).

OBJECTIVES: To determine the age and sex specific incidence rates, presenting features, and visual outcome of idiopathic intracranial hypertension in Northern Ireland. METHODS: A case-note review of all patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension, diagnosed at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast between 1991 and 1995. RESULTS: Forty-two patients were identified corresponding to an average annual incidence rate per 100,000 persons of 0.5 for the total and 0.9 for the female population. The commonest presenting symptoms were headache (84%), transient visual obscurations (61%) and sustained visual loss (34%). Impaired Snellen visual acuity and visual field loss were documented in 21% and 62% of patients respectively at presentation, and in 24% and 39% at last follow-up. One patient suffered deterioration in visual functioning sufficient to interfere with normal daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: The age and sex specific incidence rates of IIH in Northern Ireland are lower than have been reported in previous population-based series. Disabling visual loss occurs in a small number of patients despite all interventions.     

Hepatic abnormalities in coeliac disease: three cases of delayed diagnosis

Three cases of biopsy-proven coeliac disease are presented. In each case the predominant clinical and laboratory features suggested liver disease, bowel symptoms were a minor part of the presentation and the diagnosis of coeliac disease was not reached for approximately 6 months. Liver biopsy in one case showed marked fatty change, in the other cases only mild hepatitic changes. A gluten-free diet produced resolution of symptoms and, in the patient with steatosis, normalization of liver function tests. Hepatic abnormalities have been reported in coeliac disease and the significance of these is discussed but such abnormalities are usually minor and do not obscure the underlying diagnosis. We feel that these cases serve as a salutary reminder of the protean manifestations of coeliac disease.     

High prevalence of coeliac disease in a population-based study from Western Australia: a case for screening?

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of coeliac disease in an Australian rural community. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of stored serum samples from 3,011 random subjects from the Busselton Health Study. IgA antiendomysial antibodies (AEA) were detected by indirect immunofluorescence, and subjects testing positive were contacted and offered small-bowel biopsy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of AEA positivity and biopsy-proven coeliac disease in the community with reference to the proportion of symptomatic to asymptomatic patients. RESULTS: 10 of 3,011 subjects were AEA positive. One subject had died, one subject could not be traced and one refused small-bowel biopsy. All subjects with detectable AEA who consented to biopsy had pathological changes consistent with coeliac disease. The prevalence of newly diagnosed biopsyproven coeliac disease is 7 in 3,011 (1 in 430). Two further subjects had a diagnosis of coeliac disease before this study. When all AEA-positive patients and those previously diagnosed are included, the prevalence is 12/3,011 (1 in 251). There was a significant clustering of cases in the 30-50-years age range, with 10/12 (83%; 95% CI, 52%-98%) aged between 30 and 50 years, compared with 1,092/3,011 (36%; 95% CI, 35%-38%) of the total population (P<0.03). Of the eight AEA-positive subjects who could be contacted, four had symptoms consistent with coeliac disease and four were asymptomatic. Three subjects were iron-deficient, four subjects had first-degree relatives with coeliac disease and one subject had type 1 diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of coeliac disease is high in a rural Australian community. Most patients are undiagnosed, and asymptomatic.     

Spinal epidural abscess: presentation and treatment. A report of 21 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the presentation, investigative findings, treatment and outcome in patients with spinal epidural abscess. DESIGN AND SETTING: The study was a retrospective analysis of all patients with this condition presenting to the Neurosurgical Units at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Westmead Hospital, Sydney, during the period September 1984 to September 1987. PATIENTS: There was a total of 21 patients with an age range from 7-87 years (mean 47 years). Eleven cases were acute and ten chronic. The causative organism was Staphylococcus aureus in 15 of the 21 cases, the other organisms involved were Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. INTERVENTIONS: All patients were treated with a combination of surgery (decompression with or without fusion) and prolonged antibiotic administration. RESULTS: Of the 21 patients 11 had a good to excellent outcome while 10 had a poor outcome. CONCLUSION: The main determinant of outcome was the neurological state at presentation emphasising the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment.     

Coeliac disease: clinical presentations, correlations of dietary compliance, symptomatic response and repeat biopsy findings.

Gastrointestinal symptoms were present at the time of diagnosis in 81 (76%) of 107 patients with coeliac disease: 56% had diarrhoea/steatorrhoea, 32.7% abdominal pain and 15% constipation. Gastrointestinal symptoms were commonest in young adults (20-39 years) and less frequent in children (0-19 years). Anaemia, low serum levels of folic acid, albumin and calcium, and raised serum alkaline phosphatase may be of help in raising the index of diagnostic suspicion, but in over half of our patients with clinically and histologically active disease these values were within normal limits. In patients adhering to a gluten free diet remission of symptoms correlated well with histological response; the continuation of symptoms indicated a higher incidence of histological abnormality. No patient not complying to the diet had normal histology on repeat biopsy. Five patients died over the ten year period, one from a small bowel lymphoma.     

Increase in presentations and procedure rates for hyperparathyroidism in Northern Sydney and New South Wales

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism and rates of parathyroidectomy in Northern Sydney (the Northern Sydney Area Heath Service) and New South Wales (NSW). DESIGN: Retrospective case series January 1962 - December 2001 and audit of the NSW Department of Health inpatient database (1993-1999). SETTING: University of Sydney Endocrine Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 1613 patients undergoing parathyroidectomy during the study period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Age-standardised parathyroidectomy rates and indications for surgical intervention. RESULTS: The age-standardised rates of parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism in women have increased significantly in Northern Sydney from 0.14 cases per 100,000 in 1976 to 7.7 cases per 100,000 in 1996 (P < 0.001). In NSW there has been an increase in parathyroidectomy rates in women from 5.1 cases per 100,000 in 1993 to 12.3 cases per 100,000 in 1998 (P < 0.001). Osteoporosis was the most common overall indication for surgery in Northern Sydney, accounting for 27% of all cases. The proportion of cases presenting with osteoporosis increased significantly from 4% in 1962-1980 to 34% over the past decade (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of parathyroidectomy procedures has increased markedly in Northern Sydney and in NSW. The investigation of osteoporosis has led to the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism in an increasing proportion of cases and has contributed to the growing surgical referral rates.     

Epidemiology and factors predicting survival of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a large Chinese cohort

Background:Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder associated with loss of motor neurons. Our objective was to explore the epidemiology, clinical features, and survival factors of 1809 patients with ALS.Methods:We analyzed 1809 ALS patients, who were recruited from the Peking University Third Hospital from January 2005 to December 2015. Demographic data and disease-related parameters were collected. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to compare survival time. Cox proportional hazards function and the hazard ratio were used to identify adjusted prognostic predictors.Results:The results showed that the average annual incidence in Beijing alone was 0.38 cases/100,000 person-years and the mean age of onset was 48.88 ± 11.35 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 48.17–49.85) years. The median survival time from onset to death/tracheostomy was 58.89 ± 33.03 (95% CI: 51.46–63.84) months. In the adjusted Cox proportional hazard model, age of onset, diagnosis delay, rate of disease progression (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale Revised decline [points/month]), and body mass index all had an independent effect on survival in ALS.Conclusions:Our study provides information on epidemiology, clinical features, and survival factors of patients with ALS in China. These results can be helpful in clinical practice, clinical trial design, and validation of new tools to predict disease progression.     

Epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae invasive disease in Jamaica, 1990-1993

Haemophilus influenzae (H influenzae) invasive disease was studied retrospectively over a four-year period in children admitted to the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston, Jamaica. A total of 86 cases were identified. The mean estimated annual incidence of H influenzae invasive disease in Kingston and St Andrew was 39 per 100,000 children under 5 years of age. The majority (77%) of cases were in the under 2-year age group. A distinct seasonal pattern was noted, with a significantly higher proportion of patients (57-73%) presenting in the cooler months. Meningitis was the most common clinical diagnosis, accounting for 76% of the cases. Poor outcome was demonstrated in 21.5% of patients with meningitis. Sensitivity testing of H influenzae isolates revealed a resistance rate of 26% for ampicillin and 7% for chloramphenicol. The epidemiological findings in this study provide reasonable guidelines for empiric antibiotic therapy and also support the need to seriously consider vaccine prophylaxis in Jamaican children.     

A Population-based Study of Invasive Cervical Cancer Patients in Beijing: 1993–2008

Background:

In recent years, the incidence of cervical cancer has been rising, particularly in young adults, as the second most common gynecological cancer in China. The aim of this study was to explore the incidence change and the epidemiological characteristics of cervical cancer in Beijing over the past 16 years.

Methods:

All the cases of the study were limited to Beijing residents diagnosed with cervical cancer and registered in Beijing from January 1, 1993, to December 31, 2008. A total of 4100 patients with cervical cancer were obtained from the Statistics Database of Beijing Cancer Registry (BJCaR). According to the registered data, we retrospectively reviewed all original cases which we can acquired in reported hospital. Cervical situ cancer, cervical metastatic cancer, non-Beijing residents and repeatedly registered cases were excluded. Totally, 3641 registered cases were verified correctly. Meanwhile, we also collected the following data: Age, occupation, detected methods, histological type, and staging. The trends of incidence and mortality were analyzed by Joinpoint Regression Program 4.1.1.1 produced by National Cancer Institute (NCI, USA). The annual percent change (APC) was calculated using the Joinpoint regression model.

Results:

The crude rates of incidence and mortality were 10.4 and 1.0 per 100,000 women, respectively during 1993 to 2008. The average WHO age-standardized incidence rates were 11.5 per 100,000 women. There was a decrease in incidence annually by 8.0% (P = 0.3) during 1993–1996 and a rapid increase annually by 18.9% after 1999 (P < 0.01). The median age was 67 years in 1993, but the median age decreased to 45 years in 2008. The peak of the age-specific incidence curve was at 40 years in the most recent period (2005–2008), which was 25–30 years earlier than that in previous periods (1993–1996). In the 2224 cases, the numbers of patients with stage I, II, III and IV were 910 (40.9%), 601 (27%), 542 (24.4%), 171 (7.7%), respectively. The percentage of patients with stage I was 7.6% (13/171) in 1993–1996, but the percentage increased to 51.6% (643/1247) in 2005–2008 (P < 0.01). Otherwise the percentage of advanced stage (stage III–IV) during the same period was dropped down significantly from 52.0% (89/171) to 22.5% (280/1247) (P < 0.01). Unemployed and housewife ranked first accounting for 27.3% of the total (607/2224). Urban low-income people such as worker ranked the second accounting for 17.0% (377/2224), the third place was farmer accounting for 14.0% (312/2224). Only 381 (17.1%, 381/2224) women in 2224 were first detected cervical cancer by routine screenings. Company staff (36.5%, 139/381), professional and technical personnel (22.6%, 86/381), national official (22.0%, 84/381) occupied the top three (total 81.1%) in the 381 patients detected cervical cancer by screening.

Conclusions:

The cervical cancer incidence has showed a continuous rise in Beijing since 1999. Government-led mass screening should target the low socioeconomic population primarily. Meanwhile the government should enhance public health education of cancer screening to increase the rate of screening.     

Prevalence of coeliac disease in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in a clinic based population

Background

Although the association between type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and coeliac disease is well known, the presenting features and clinical characteristics of the two diseases when they coexist are less well documented.

Methods

All patients with T1DM attending a paediatric diabetes clinic in London, UK, were screened for coeliac disease by serological testing for coeliac antibodies (antiendomysial and either/both tissue transglutaminase and antigliadin). Antibody positive patients were reviewed and their presenting symptoms, tissue biopsy result and coexisting morbidities investigated. Glycaemic control, growth and the effect of a gluten‐free diet on these variables were also evaluated.

Results

Of the 113 patients with T1DM, 7 (6.2%) tested antibody positive. Jejunal biopsy confirmed coeliac disease in 5 of the 7 (4.4%) patients. Coeliac disease presented atypically or silently in the majority of cases with an unpredictable interval between diagnosis of diabetes and coeliac disease presentation. Coeliac disease did not appear to affect growth. Mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were not significantly raised in subjects (9.87%) compared with matched controls without coeliac disease (9.08%) (p = 0.249). Analyses of the effect of a gluten‐free diet on growth and HbA1c were limited. Of the seven subjects, two suffered other autoimmune diseases.

Conclusion

Coeliac disease presents atypically and unexpectedly in children and adolescents with T1DM. This, along with the strong association between the two diseases, supports the regular screening of coeliac disease among these patients. The value of a gluten‐free diet cannot be commented on from this study alone although other studies show it reduces the risk of complications.The association between type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and coeliac disease was observed as early as the late 1960s and has been noted in various studies since.^1,2,3 This is unsurprising given that both conditions are strongly linked to the HLA system, in particular the haplotypes A1, B8, DR3 and DQ2.⁴ Coeliac disease and T1DM coexist more frequently than would be expected by chance and the prevalence of coeliac disease among patients with T1DM has been estimated as being between 1–10%. A large UK based study estimated the prevalence among children and adolescents to be 4.8%.⁵Healthcare professionals face two challenges in caring for young people with coeliac disease and T1DM: firstly, the diagnosis of coeliac disease among a large number of patients who present asymptomatically or atypically; and secondly, the prevention of the long term complications of coeliac disease. Given the increased prevalence of coeliac disease among diabetics, regular and repeated screening for coeliac autoantibodies has become a widely accepted practice. Symptomatic coeliac disease is only the “tip of the iceberg” and it has been recognised that coeliac disease is “more common and more varied in its presentation than previously thought”.⁵ The classical symptoms of failure to thrive, weight loss, steatorrhoea and a change in bowel habit are less commonly seen than milder or less specific symptoms (for example, recurrent abdominal pain).⁶Coeliac disease is believed to have an adverse effect on T1DM, particularly with regards to glycaemic control. In addition, coeliac disease carries with it an increased risk of long term complications, including decreased bone density and gastrointestinal malignancies.^7,8 Adherence to a gluten‐free diet is difficult but appears to reduce the risk of malignancy.⁹ However, its effect on diabetes remains controversial.This retrospective study aims to:

• estimate the prevalence of coeliac disease among a population of children and adolescents with T1DM within a clinical setting;
• investigate how coeliac disease presents among children and adolescents with T1DM in terms of its presentation and time course of development;
• investigate the effect of coeliac disease on the growth and glycaemic control of children and adolescents with T1DM and the benefit of a gluten free diet;
• examine the association of other diseases with coeliac disease and T1DM.

     

Vulvar basal cell carcinoma: clinical features and treatment outcomes from a tertiary care centre

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical features, management and outcomes of patients diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the vulva at the Gynaecological Cancer Centre, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore, between 1 January 2000 and 28 February 2014. Patients with vulvar BCC were identified from the cancer registry, and their medical records reviewed and analysed. A total of 11 patients with vulvar BCC were identified. Mean age at diagnosis was 63 (range 30–85) years. Ethnically, ten patients were Chinese and one was Malay. Average time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 13.8 (range 2–60) months. The most common presenting symptoms were lump and pruritus. All patients were managed surgically. Recurrence was noted in only one patient. Vulvar BCC, although rare, has an excellent prognosis when managed appropriately. Histological diagnosis of all persistent papules, plaques and pigmented lesions is important for early diagnosis.     

胰腺实性假乳头状瘤5例并文献复习

目的探讨我国胰腺实性假乳头状瘤的发病情况、临床特点、诊治方法及预后，以提高对本病的认识。方法报告本院收治的5例，并结合国内近10年文献报告的649例进行分析。结果本病呈逐年递增趋势，近4年报告达594例；年轻女性多见，男：女约1：10；年龄8—67岁，平均26．1岁；症状以上腹胀痛不适为主，体征以上腹部包块为主；确诊有赖于术后病理及免疫组化；肿瘤部位绝大部分在胰腺；全部病例均手术切除，预后较好。结论本病并非罕见；确诊有赖于术后病理及免疫组化；手术是惟一有效的治疗方法，且术后预后良好。     

Clinical otorhinolaryngological presentation of COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia: A multicenter study

Objectives:To assess the otorhinolaryngological (ORL) symptoms, including their prevalence, severity, and early presentations among coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients in the Saudi population.Methods:This was a multicentric, cross-sectional study carried out on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 positive patients at 3 COVID-19 centres; Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, King Fahd Hospital of the University, ALKhobar, Qatif Central Hospital, AlQatif, and Ohud Hospital, Al Madinah Al Munawarah, Saudi Arabia. The validated survey consisted of sociodemographic data, general symptoms of COVID-19, and ORL manifestations.Results:A total of 1734 COVID-19 positive patients were included in the study (mean age: 37.7±11.6 years). Most of the cases were mild (51.8%), followed by moderate (45.6%), and severe (2.6%) cases. Approximately 33.7% were asymptomatic. Severity of symptoms was significantly associated with male gender (p=0.017), higher age-group (p=0.04), and smoking (p<0.001). The most common initial ORL presentations were sore throat (20.9%), anosmia (15.5%), hyposmia (10%), and loss of taste (11.4%). Overall, 79.5% showed ORL symptoms as the initial presenting symptoms for COVID-19, with anosmia and sore throat being the most common symptoms.Conclusion:This study confirmed the prevalence of ORL symptoms among COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, these symptoms could also be considered for early detection of COVID-19 as they might appear prior to other symptoms.     

Retrospective audit of the value of the pancreolauryl test in a district general hospital

Objectives: To audit the specificity and value of the pancreolauryl test (PLT) for the diagnosis of pancreatic insufficiency. Design: A retrospective case note review of 47 patients who had a PLT during three consecutive years. Setting: A 650 bedded district general hospital. Main outcome measures: Patient demographics, symptoms, baseline blood, endoscopic and radiological investigations, and alcohol consumption were related to the results of the PLT to determine if the test could be better targeted. Response to therapy and final diagnoses were noted to determine the specificity of the test. Results: Forty seven patients had a PLT during the three years studied. All successfully performed the test as outpatients. Seven inconclusive tests were repeated. Thirty eight patients (81%) had diarrhoea, of whom 10 (21%) described steatorrhoea; 23 (49%) had an abnormal PLT. All with an abnormal test had diarrhoea, more frequently describing watery stools than steatorrhoea. Those treated with pancreatic enzyme supplements had an excellent response, although two of these had a final diagnosis of coeliac disease. Nineteen patients with an abnormal PLT were thought to be suffering from pancreatic insufficiency. All patients with a normal PLT were clinically thought not to have pancreatic insufficiency. Age, sex, and alcohol intake correlated poorly with final diagnosis. Conclusions: The PLT can be used in a district general hospital setting as an outpatient test for pancreatic insufficiency and has a specificity of 83%–91%. Its use should be restricted to thse presenting with diarrhoea, not necessarily steatorrhoea, and not restricted to those with a history of high alcohol consumption.     

The clinical impact of metabolic bone disease in coeliac disease

Bone mineral density was measured by dual energy x ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck in 15 adults who had metabolic bone disease in association with coeliac disease (mean age at diagnosis 53.5 years, range 37 to 66). Results were expressed as a T score (the number of standard deviations by which patient's bone density differed from the sex matched young adult mean). Three patients had no skeletal symptoms and normal routine calcium biochemistry but severely reduced axial bone mineral density on DEXA. Eleven patients had symptomatic skeletal fractures, including fractures of proximal femur (3), vertebrae (4), and radius (6). Three patients had osteomalacia confirmed on bone biopsy, two of whom had characteristic biochemistry. Secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism were seen. Seventy five further patients (60 female) with coeliac disease (mean age 52.0 years, median duration of gluten-free diet 3.4 years) and 75 paired healthy age and sex matched controls were questioned on past fracture history. Patients with coeliac disease underwent detailed studies of calcium biochemistry, dietary intake, and bone mineral density. Sixteen had a past history of fractures (chi(2) = 10.7, p = 0.0004, v controls), which were of typical osteoporotic type. Ten patients had fracture before diagnosis of coeliac disease and six after diagnosis. Patients who had a fracture were older (56.3 v 50.3 years, p < 0.02, Wilcoxon rank sum test) than those with no fracture. There was no significant difference in bone mineral density (z score -0.31 v -0. 77), serum calcium (2.30 v 2.26 mmol/l), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (19.7 v 23.7 nmol/l), parathyroid hormone (2.6 v 3.1 pmol/l), or dietary calcium intake (1021.0 v 1033.0 mg/day) in patients with fracture compared with those without fracture. Metabolic bone disease is common in coeliac disease and is associated with premature osteoporotic fractures.     

Cancer of the cervix

Cases of cancer of the cervix histologically diagnosed at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria between January 1991 and December 2000 were reviewed. There was 1,912 total gynaecological admissions during that period and 56 histologically diagnosed cancer of the cervix for an incidence of 2.9%. The mean age at occurrence of the cancer was 51.7 + 12.4 years. It was more common in grandmultiparous women and major presenting complaints were abnormal vaginal bleeding, (64.3%) watery discharge (25.0%) and postcoital bleeding (7.1%). Histologically, 96.4% has squamous cell carcinoma of varying degree of differentiation and most (78.6%) presented in the advanced stages. Majority (80.4) were referred for radiotherapy at either Lagos University Teaching Hospital or University College Hospital, Ibadan. Only 5.4% of cases were treated by radical hysterectomy. Measures to reduce the incidence and morbidity would include mass education of the sexually active women to have cervical smear regularly and also to report symptoms early so as to diagnose the invasive disease in the early stages.     

Relationship of sleep duration and annual changes in sleep duration with the incidence of gastrointestinal cancers: a prospective cohort study

Background:Prospective analyses have yet to identify a consistent relationship between sleep duration and the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. The effect of changes in sleep duration on GI cancer incidence has scarcely been studied. Therefore, we aimed to examine the association between baseline sleep duration and annual changes in sleep duration and GI cancer risk in a large population-based cohort study.Methods:A total of 123,495 participants with baseline information and 83,511 participants with annual changes in sleep duration information were prospectively observed from 2006 to 2015 for cancer incidence. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and their confidence intervals (CIs) for GI cancers according to sleep duration and annual changes in sleep duration.Results:In baseline sleep duration analyses, short sleep duration (≤5 h) was significantly associated with a lower risk of GI cancer in females (HR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.10–0.90), and a linear relationship between baseline sleep duration and GI cancer was observed (P = 0.010), especially in males and in the >50-year-old group. In the annual changes in sleep duration analyses, with stable category (0 to −15 min/year) as the control group, decreased sleep duration (≤−15 min/year) was significantly associated with the development of GI cancer (HR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.04–1.61), especially in the >50-year-old group (HR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.01–1.71), and increased sleep duration (>0 min/year) was significantly associated with GI cancer in females (HR: 2.89; 95% CI: 1.14–7.30).Conclusions:Both sleep duration and annual changes in sleep duration were associated with the incidence of GI cancer.     

ISOLATION OF A VIRUS FROM A CASE OF ACUTE POLIOMYELITIS IN PEIPING WITH HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDIES

In contrast to American and European medical literature, reports on the acute poliomyelitis in China is strikingly scarce. An earIy account of disease occurring in China is found in the Customs Surgeon''s report (1) in 1913 stating the occurrence of sporadic cases of comma and pyrexia among foreign soldiers in North China with symptoms pointing: to the diagnosis of acute poliomyelitis. This report mentioned that sections of the spinal cord and brain on two of them which occurred among the British Legation Guards were forwarded to the Royal Army Medical College, London, and the diagnosis of poliomyelitis was con- firmed histologically. Zia (2) iu 1930 in a clinical report of two ~ cases in the acute stage of the disease mentioned that only one diagnosis of the disease was found in the past eight years among 25,000 admissions to the P.U.M.C. Hospital. New (3) in 1934 in a brief note on the epidemiology of the disease in China stated that he had seen 150 cases of poliomyelitis mostly chronic and the earliest being 2 months after onset of the disease. He further gave the im- pression that the disease is in rapid extension. He, however, gave no details of data or records. Scott (4) in 1938 in reviewing the litera ture on the subject and hospital reports available, came to the conclu sion that poliomyelitis had been reported from 14 provinces of China. and gave an additional report of 23 cases from the Pediatric Clinic of