Deprivation Indices in Head and Neck Cancer: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Socioeconomic factors significantly impact health outcomes.
• Deprivation indices are tools used to measure socioeconomic status and its effect on health.
• Understanding the role of deprivation in head and neck cancer (HNC) is essential for addressing health disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the methodology and findings of studies on head and neck cancer (HNC) that use deprivation indices.
• To identify trends in the utilization of deprivation indices, outcome disparities, and methodological variability in HNC research.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review was conducted, adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• Literature searches were performed across major databases including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science.
• Study selection, data extraction, and narrative synthesis were performed by two independent reviewers and a moderator.

Main Results:

• The review included 45 articles, predominantly retrospective national database studies published after 2020.
• The Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) were the most commonly used deprivation indices.
• A significant association between greater deprivation and worse primary outcomes (survival, surveillance, tumor characteristics) was reported in 90.3% of the studies.

Conclusions:

• Deprivation indices are increasingly utilized in HNC research, demonstrating a consistent link to adverse outcomes.
• Inconsistent application in study design, index selection, and reporting highlights the need for standardization.
• Further research is recommended to standardize the use of deprivation indices for improved clinical application and interpretation in HNC.