Mortality by Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Regional Analysis in Peru and Ecuador
Katherine Simbaña-Rivera1,2,3, J Smith Torres-Roman4, Dante Julca-Marin3,5
1Center for Health Research in Latin America (CISeAL), Faculty of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (PUCE), Quito, Ecuador.
Insights
Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) mortality rates in Ecuador and Peru from 2005-2020 show concerning increases, particularly in Peru. Public health strategies are crucial for early diagnosis and treatment of pediatric ALL.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a leading cause of death in pediatric oncology.
- Limited research exists on childhood ALL in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- This study addresses the scarcity of data by examining ALL mortality in Ecuador and Peru.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine childhood ALL-mortality rates in Ecuador and Peru between 2005 and 2020.
- To analyze trends in mortality by country and sex.
- To identify regional disparities in mortality rates.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mortality databases from Ecuador and Peru.
- Calculated age-standardized mortality rates per 100,000 person-years.
- Employed Joinpoint regression analyses to evaluate mortality trends from 2005 to 2020.
Main Results:
- Between 2016-2020, mortality rates were 1.7 (boys) and 1.2 (girls) per 100,000 for ages 0-14.
- The Coastal region exhibited the highest mortality, while the Rainforest region had the lowest.
- Peru demonstrated significant increases in ALL mortality for both sexes, with notable annual rises in the Highlands and Lima.
Conclusions:
- Findings indicate substantial increases in childhood ALL mortality in Peru.
- Urgent implementation of public health strategies for early diagnosis and treatment is recommended.
- Targeted interventions are needed to address rising ALL mortality in Peruvian children.
Background:
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignant neoplasm in children representing the leading cause of death in pediatric oncology. However, studies in the Latin American and Caribbean region are scarce. The objective of this study was to determine the childhood ALL-mortality rates of Ecuador and Peru from 2005 to 2020.
Methods:
We retrieved ALL deaths from the mortality databases of Ecuador and Peru. Age-standardized mortality rates per 100,000 person-years were estimated. Mortality trends were evaluated by country, and sex, between 2005 and 2020 with Joinpoint regression analyses.
Results:
Between 2016 and 2020, Ecuador and Peru reported a mortality rate of 1.7 for boys and 1.2 for girls 0-14 years of age. The Coastal region had the highest mortality rate in this period for both age groups, and the Rainforest had the lowest rates. Only Peru showed a significant increase in both sexes, with large increases for boys in the Highlands (+17.6% annually) and girls in Lima (+13.3% annually).
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest considerable increases in ALL mortality in Peru. It is important to implement public health strategies for early diagnosis and timely treatment of children with ALL in Peru.
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