Importance of reference group selection in the evaluation of cancer incidence
Abstract Elevated cancer incidence has been reported among World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed responders, with some incidence rate ratios (IRRs) varying over time. This study describes the influence that different reference populations have on relative cancer incidence and temporal trends. Participant...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82555-9 |
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| author | Alexandra K. Mueller Brandon Vaeth Andrew C. Todd Christopher R. Dasaro Jiehui Li Baozhen Qiao Paolo Boffetta David J. Prezant Charles B. Hall David G. Goldfarb Rachel Zeig-Owens |
| author_facet | Alexandra K. Mueller Brandon Vaeth Andrew C. Todd Christopher R. Dasaro Jiehui Li Baozhen Qiao Paolo Boffetta David J. Prezant Charles B. Hall David G. Goldfarb Rachel Zeig-Owens |
| author_sort | Alexandra K. Mueller |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Elevated cancer incidence has been reported among World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed responders, with some incidence rate ratios (IRRs) varying over time. This study describes the influence that different reference populations have on relative cancer incidence and temporal trends. Participants from the WTC Combined Rescue/Recovery Cohort (n = 65,691) were observed between 1/1/2002 and 12/31/2015 using data obtained from 13 state cancer registries. Poisson regression was used to estimate IRRs controlling for age, race/ethnicity, and calendar year. IRRs and change-points were estimated using three reference populations (New York City (NYC), New York State (NYS), and a US population). IRRs for each cancer site varied in magnitude. Prostate and thyroid cancer IRRs were significantly greater in WTC-exposed responders, while colon and lung cancer IRRs were significantly lower compared with NYC, NYS, and US population reference groups. The range of IRRs varied by reference population. Mixed findings were observed for other cancers, as results were dependent on the reference group used. A significant change-point was found only for prostate cancer, and only when compared to a US population. Our findings suggest that reference population selection will influence the IRR, timing, and statistical significance of change-point estimation, varying with follow-up length. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e20b695da7d34f71acf378fe1a399068 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-e20b695da7d34f71acf378fe1a3990682025-01-05T12:21:04ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111010.1038/s41598-024-82555-9Importance of reference group selection in the evaluation of cancer incidenceAlexandra K. Mueller0Brandon Vaeth1Andrew C. Todd2Christopher R. Dasaro3Jiehui Li4Baozhen Qiao5Paolo Boffetta6David J. Prezant7Charles B. Hall8David G. Goldfarb9Rachel Zeig-Owens10Bureau of Health Services, World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New YorkBureau of Health Services, World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New YorkWorld Trade Center Health Program General Responder Data Center, Department of Environmental Medicine and Climate Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiWorld Trade Center Health Program General Responder Data Center, Department of Environmental Medicine and Climate Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health RegistryNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Cancer EpidemiologyStony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook UniversityBureau of Health Services, World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New YorkDepartment of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of MedicineBureau of Health Services, World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New YorkBureau of Health Services, World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New YorkAbstract Elevated cancer incidence has been reported among World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed responders, with some incidence rate ratios (IRRs) varying over time. This study describes the influence that different reference populations have on relative cancer incidence and temporal trends. Participants from the WTC Combined Rescue/Recovery Cohort (n = 65,691) were observed between 1/1/2002 and 12/31/2015 using data obtained from 13 state cancer registries. Poisson regression was used to estimate IRRs controlling for age, race/ethnicity, and calendar year. IRRs and change-points were estimated using three reference populations (New York City (NYC), New York State (NYS), and a US population). IRRs for each cancer site varied in magnitude. Prostate and thyroid cancer IRRs were significantly greater in WTC-exposed responders, while colon and lung cancer IRRs were significantly lower compared with NYC, NYS, and US population reference groups. The range of IRRs varied by reference population. Mixed findings were observed for other cancers, as results were dependent on the reference group used. A significant change-point was found only for prostate cancer, and only when compared to a US population. Our findings suggest that reference population selection will influence the IRR, timing, and statistical significance of change-point estimation, varying with follow-up length.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82555-9Cancer incidenceReference populationWorld Trade Center disaster |
| spellingShingle | Alexandra K. Mueller Brandon Vaeth Andrew C. Todd Christopher R. Dasaro Jiehui Li Baozhen Qiao Paolo Boffetta David J. Prezant Charles B. Hall David G. Goldfarb Rachel Zeig-Owens Importance of reference group selection in the evaluation of cancer incidence Scientific Reports Cancer incidence Reference population World Trade Center disaster |
| title | Importance of reference group selection in the evaluation of cancer incidence |
| title_full | Importance of reference group selection in the evaluation of cancer incidence |
| title_fullStr | Importance of reference group selection in the evaluation of cancer incidence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Importance of reference group selection in the evaluation of cancer incidence |
| title_short | Importance of reference group selection in the evaluation of cancer incidence |
| title_sort | importance of reference group selection in the evaluation of cancer incidence |
| topic | Cancer incidence Reference population World Trade Center disaster |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82555-9 |
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