Mesothelioma and Pleural Cancer Mortality in Tuscany, Italy
Author Information
Author(s): Gorini G, Merler E, Chellini E, Crocetti E, Costantini A S
Primary Institution: Center for Study and Prevention of Cancer (CSPO), Florence, Italy
Hypothesis
Is the ratio of pleural mesothelioma mortality to pleural cancer mortality approximately unity for Italy?
Conclusion
The ratio of pleural malignant mesothelioma mortality to pleural cancer mortality in Tuscany is lower than expected, indicating issues with death certificate accuracy.
Supporting Evidence
- 228 male pleural mesothelioma cases were recorded in the Tuscan Mesothelioma Register.
- 82% of male mesothelioma deaths were correctly coded as pleural cancer on death certificates.
- The ratio of mesothelioma to pleural cancer mortality in Tuscany was found to be 0.73:1.
Takeaway
In Tuscany, more people died from pleural cancer than mesothelioma, which might be because doctors sometimes mislabel the cause of death.
Methodology
The study analyzed data from the Tuscan mesothelioma register and the Tuscan mortality register for the years 1994-1999.
Potential Biases
Potential misclassification of causes of death on death certificates.
Limitations
The accuracy of death certificates coded ICD 163 is not likely high for all of Italy.
Participant Demographics
Males in Tuscany, Italy.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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