Global Trends in Mortality from Malignant Mesothelioma; Analysis of WHO Mortality Database (1993-2013)

The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2018 February 9 [Epub ahead of print] [Link]

Abdel-Rahman O

Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive malignancy that is predisposed to through asbestos exposure. Little is known about the extent to which asbestos use ban has affected global trends in malignant mesothelioma. The current study investigated recent global mortality trends of malignant mesothelioma.

METHODS:
Data were collected from International Agency for Research on Cancer/World Health Organization mortality database to examine age-standardized, gender-specific mortality rates for malignant mesothelioma (ICD10-C45). Cross sectional mortality rates (2009-2013) as well as trends over time (1994-2013) were also reported. Gender-specific annual percent change (APC) was calculated to examine trends over time for each country.

RESULTS:
Among the 30 countries with highest mesothelioma mortality in men, there is almost 10- fold variation in mortality rates during 2009-2013 ranging from 6.25 per 100.000 for the UK to 0.64 per 100.000 in Portugal; while among the 30 countries with highest mesothelioma mortality in women, there is a 4-fold variation in mortality rates during 2009-2013 ranging from 1.08 per 100.000 for the UK to 0.26 per 100.000 in Ireland. Mortality rates were higher in men compared to women in 32 out of 35 evaluable countries. Among males and over the last ten years of covered years, mesothelioma mortality was significantly declining in nine countries (UK, Sweden, France, Germany, Netherlands, Canada, United States, Australia and New Zealand); while it was significantly rising in five countries (Poland, Spain, China-Hong Kong, Japan and Republic of Korea). In the remaining countries, APC was stable. Among females and over the last ten years of covered years, mesothelioma mortality was significantly declining in one country only (Italy); while it was significantly rising in three countries (Poland, Argentina and Republic of Korea). In the remaining countries, APC was stable Conclusions: There is a worldwide variability in the burden and trends of mesothelioma mortality; and despite the ban on asbestos in many countries, mesothelioma still represents an important cause of mortality