The Role of County-Level Contextual Predictors in Multiple Myeloma Mortality in the United States Pubblico

Abstract

Background : Myeloma is the second most common hematologic malignancy in the United States. Prior population-based studies suggest that the incidence and mortality of black patients is two times higher compared to the whites and others (American Indian/AK Native, Asian/Pacific Islander). While some studies point to underlying biological mechanisms for this observed difference, others suggest the role of individual socioeconomic disparities as the cause. To our knowledge, no studies have analyzed the independent association of county-level contextual variables on myeloma mortality.

Methods : I used Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data from 18 registries across the United States to examine racial differences in mortality from 1973-2011 for 83,903 myeloma patients. International Classification of Disease for Oncology, 3rd Edition (ICD-O-3) and morphologic (9732/3) codes were used to identify cases. Analysis was done on two levels: individual-level (using race, sex and age of diagnosis) and county-level (high school education, poverty line and unemployment). Crude incidence and mortality rates and regression models were used for analysis.

Results : Blacks were more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age (median age of diagnosis: 66 years), and live in Middle and Low socioeconomic status (SES) counties as compared to whites. These counties were characterized by populations more likely to not have received a high school education, to live below poverty-line and to be unemployed (all p<0.0001). Blacks had higher crude incidence and mortality rates compared to whites. However, after controlling for county-level contextual variables of SES, high-school education, poverty-line and unemployment, blacks had a lower odds of mortality compared to whites (p-value<0.0001). Additionally, regression models revealed increasing mortality with decreasing county SES (p-value<0.001).

Conclusions : Black patients have higher crude mortality rates compared to whites and other myeloma patients. The opposite becomes true after controlling for county-level contextual variables (SES, high-school education, poverty and unemployment); signifying their role as confounders in the causal pathway between race and myeloma mortality. Further population-based studies examining both, the biological variants of this disease in conjunction with race, as well as the socio-contextual factors surrounding these populations are needed, to reduce the racial disparity in myeloma mortality.

Table of Contents

Background...1

Introduction...6

Methods...7

Data Sources...7

Study Cohort...8

Study Variables...8

Calculation and Presentation of Rates and Ratios...9

Results...11

Population Baseline Characteristics...11

Contextual Variables...11

Incidence Rates...12

Mortality Rates...12

Regression Analysis...13

Discussion...14

References...20

Tables...26

Table 1: Descriptive Characteristics of the Study Population (SEER-18), 1973-2011...26

Table 2: Age-Adjusted Incidence Rates by Race and Sex (SEER-9)...27

Table 3: Standard Mortality Rates by Race and Sex (SEER-9), 1973-2011...27

Table 4: Mortality Rate Ratios by Race and Sex (SEER-9), 1973-2011...27

Table 5: Mortality Rates in by Study Eras (SEER-9), 1973-2011...28

Table 6: Ratio of Incidence Rate to Mortality Rate over Study Eras (SEER-9), 1973.2011...28

Table 7: Multivariate Model with Only Individual-Level Traits (SEER-18), 1973-2011...29

Table 8: Multivariate Model with All Predictors of Mortality for Multiple Myeloma (SEER-18), 1973-2011...30

Table 9: Multivariate Model with Only County-Level Traits, 1973-2011...31

Figures...32 Figure 1: Selection of study cohort (SEER-18)...32

Figure 2: Consolidated Mortality Rates Varying by Sex and Race (SEER-9), 1973-2011...33

Figure 3: Ratio of Incidence Rate to Mortality Rate (SEER-9), 1973-2011...33

Summary...34

Public Health Implications...34

Future Directions...35

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Epidemiology
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health Health Sciences, Oncology Health Sciences, Epidemiology
Parola chiave	SEER Cancer Mortality Socio-Contextual SES Multiple Myeloma Racial Disparities
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	McClellan, William, Emory University Nooka, Ajay, Emory University

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