Kaposi's Sarcoma in England and Wales before the AIDS epidemic
Author Information
Author(s): A.E. Grulich, V. Beral, A.J. Swerdlow
Primary Institution: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
What were the epidemiological features of Kaposi's Sarcoma incidence in England and Wales from 1971 to 1980?
Conclusion
Kaposi's Sarcoma was exceedingly rare in England and Wales before the AIDS epidemic, with low incidence rates and no significant male excess.
Supporting Evidence
- Kaposi's Sarcoma incidence was very low compared to other Western countries.
- Half the cases registered were in people born outside the UK.
- The sex ratio was close to one in each age group.
- Significantly raised registration ratios were found for Commonwealth African, Middle Eastern, and North African regions.
- None of the men dying whose KS was incident in 1971-1980 were single.
Takeaway
Kaposi's Sarcoma was very rare in England and Wales before AIDS, and most cases were in people born outside the UK.
Methodology
Data on 68 cases of KS were obtained from cancer registries, including age, sex, region of residence, and country of birth.
Potential Biases
Possible under-registration of KS cases.
Limitations
Marital status data was only available from death certificates, which may not fully represent the population.
Participant Demographics
Half of the cases were in individuals born outside the UK, with notable risks in those from Middle Eastern countries and the Caribbean.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.005
Confidence Interval
95% CI 3.6-51.8
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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