Geographic Patterns of Kidney Cancer Mortality in Spain
Author Information
Author(s): López-Abente Gonzalo, Aragonés Nuria, Pérez-Gómez Beatriz, Ramis Rebeca, Vidal Enrique, García-Pérez Javier, Fernández-Navarro Pablo, Pollán Marina
Primary Institution: National Centre for Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health
Hypothesis
This study sought to examine the geographic pattern of kidney cancer mortality in Spain and suggest possible hypotheses to explain these patterns.
Conclusion
The geographic distribution of kidney cancer mortality in Spain shows marked patterns, particularly with excess mortality in towns along the Bay of Biscay and among women in specific regions.
Supporting Evidence
- From 1989 to 1998, a total of 14116 kidney cancer deaths were registered in Spain.
- Excess mortality was observed in towns along the Bay of Biscay, particularly in Asturias and the Basque Country.
- Women showed a unique pattern of excess risk in the Salamanca area and Extremaduran Autonomous Region.
- Established risk factors for kidney cancer include smoking, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, but these do not fully explain the geographic patterns observed.
Takeaway
This study looked at where kidney cancer deaths happen in Spain and found that some areas have more deaths than others, especially near the coast and in certain towns.
Methodology
The study used smoothed municipal relative risks calculated with a conditional autoregressive model and analyzed data from individual death entries for kidney cancer from 1989 to 1998.
Potential Biases
There may be risks of bias related to the accuracy of death certification and potential differences in coding practices.
Limitations
Possible misclassification errors in death certification and the need for caution in interpreting the results due to the smoothing procedure.
Participant Demographics
The study analyzed kidney cancer mortality data for both men and women across various regions in Spain.
Statistical Information
P-Value
< 0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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