Neoplasma Vol.53, p.103-110, 2006
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Title: Analysis of the relationship between socioeconomic factors and
stomach cancer incidence in Slovenia
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Author: V., ZADNIK
; B.J., REICH
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Abstract: An unequal population distribution of well-known major risk
factors explains much of the variation in the incidence of
stomach cancer worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine
whether geographical variation of the stomach cancer incidence
rate between Slovenia’s municipalities during years 1995–2001
could partially be explained by variations in the socioeconomic
status as an indirect stomach cancer risk factor. A composite
measure of each region’s socioeconomic status,
labelled as deprivation index, was created from basic
socioeconomic characteristics of each municipality using factor
analysis.
Municipalities’ standardized incidence ratios for all stomach
cancers and non-cardia stomach cancer were calculated.
A fully Bayesian spatial model with a conditionally autoregressive
prior was applied using Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques
and WinBUGS software. Spatially smoothed maps of stomach cancer
incidence rates by 192 Slovenian municipalities
show a clear west-to-east gradient. This pattern resembles the
geographical variation of socioeconomic indices, but
these indices are not significant predictors of stomach cancer
incidence. Geographical variation of stomach cancer incidence
in Slovenia could be partially explained by the heterogeneous
socioeconomic characteristics of its municipalities. It is possible
that the socioeconomic status indices used in our study were not
enough powerful predictors of stomach cancer risk.
Some further methodological research is needed to explain why this
association was not statistically evident with the current
modeling approach.
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Keywords: non-cardia stomach cancer, incidence, deprivation index, Bayesian
small-area mapping
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Year: 2006, Volume: 53, Issue: |
Page From: 103, Page To: 110 |
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