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To examine changes in multiple myeloma incidence and mortality rates during 1982–2018, and to estimate its incidence, mortality, and prevalence for 2019–2043. Population‐based statistical modelling study; analysis of and projections based on Australian Institute of Health and Welfare multiple myeloma incidence, mortality, and survival data. Australia, 1982–2018 (historical data) and projections to 2043. Changes in multiple myeloma incidence and mortality rates, 1982–2018, determined by joinpoint regression analysis (age‐standardised to 2021 Australian population); projection of rates to 2043 based on age–period–cohort models; estimated 5‐ and 30‐year prevalence of multiple myeloma (modified counting method). The incidence of multiple myeloma increased during 1982–2018 (eg, annual percentage change [APC], 2006–2018, 1.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7–2.2%), but the mortality rate declined during 1990–2018 (APC, –0.4%; 95% CI, –0.5% to –0.2%). The age‐standardised incidence rate was projected to increase by 14.9% during 2018–2043, from 8.7 in 2018 to 10.0 (95% CI, 9.4–10.7) new cases per 100 000 population in 2043; the mortality rate was projected to decline by 27.5%, from 4.0 to 2.9 (95% CI, 2.6–3.3) deaths per 100 000 population. The annual number of people newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma was estimated to increase by 89.2%, from 2120 in 2018 to 4012 in 2043; the number of deaths from multiple myeloma was projected to increase by 31.7%, from 979 to 1289. The number of people living with multiple myeloma up to 30 years after initial diagnosis was projected to increase by 163%, from 10 288 in 2018 to 27 093 in 2043, including 13 019 people (48.1%) diagnosed during the preceding five years. Although the decline in the mortality rate was projected to continue, the projected increases in the incidence and prevalence of multiple myeloma in Australia over the next 25 years indicate that investment in prevention and early detection research, and planning for prolonged treatment and care, are needed.

To investigate self‐reported out‐of‐pocket health care expenses, both overall and by cost type, for a large population‐based sample of Australians, by cancer status and socio‐demographic and medical characteristics. Cross‐sectional study. New South Wales residents participating in the 45 and Up Study (recruited aged 45 years or older during 2005–2009) who completed the 2020 follow‐up questionnaire; survey responses linked with New South Wales Cancer Registry data. Proportions of respondents who reported that out‐of‐pocket health care expenses during the preceding twelve months exceeded $1000 or $10 000; adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for associations with socio‐demographic and medical characteristics. Of the 267 357 recruited 45 and Up Study participants, 45 061 completed the 2020 survey (response rate, 53%); 42.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 42.2–43.1%) reported that overall out‐of‐pocket health care expenses during the previous year exceeded $1000, including 55.4% (52.1–58.7%) of participants diagnosed in the preceding two years and 44.9% (43.7–46.1%) of participants diagnosed with cancer more than two years ago. After adjustment for socio‐demographic factors, out‐of‐pocket expenses greater than $1000 were more likely to be reported by participants with cancer than by those without cancer (diagnosis in past two years: aOR, 2.06 [95% CI, 1.77–2.40]; diagnosis more than two years ago: aOR, 1.22 [95% CI, 1.15–1.29]). The odds of out‐of‐pocket expenses exceeding $1000 increased with area‐based socio‐economic advantage and household income, and were higher for people with private health insurance (vpeople with Medicare coverage only: aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.53–1.75). Out‐of‐pocket expenses exceeding $10 000 were also more likely for participants diagnosed with cancer during the past two years (vno cancer: aOR, 3.30; 95% CI, 2.56–4.26). People diagnosed with cancer during the past two years were much more likely than people without cancer to report twelve‐month out‐of‐pocket health care expenses that exceeded $1000. Out‐of‐pocket expenses for people with cancer can exacerbate financial strain at a time of vulnerability, and affect health care equity because some people cannot pay for all available treatments.

Genetic referral for Lynch syndrome (LS) exemplifies complex clinical pathways. Identifying target behaviours (TBs) for change and associated barriers requires structured group consultation activities with busy clinicians – consolidating implementation activities whilst retaining rigour is crucial. This study aimed to: i) use process mapping to gain in-depth understandings of site-specific LS testing and referral practices in Australian hospitals and support identification of TBs for change, ii) explore if barriers to identified TBs could be identified through process mapping focus-group data, and iii) demonstrate pandemic-induced transition from in-person to virtual group interactive process mapping methods.LS clinical stakeholders attended interactive in-person or virtual focus groups to develop site-specific “process maps” visually representing referral pathways. Content analysis of transcriptions informed site-specific process maps, then clinical audit data was compared to highlight TBs for change. TBs were reviewed in follow-up focus groups. Secondary thematic analysis explored barriers to identified TBs, coded against the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). The transition from in-person to pandemic-induced virtual group interactive process mapping methods was documented.Process mapping highlighted six key areas of clinical practice variation across sites and site-specific TBs for change were identified. Key barriers to identified TBs emerged, categorised to seven TDF domains.Process mapping revealed variations in clinical practices surrounding LS referral between sites. Incorporating qualitative perspectives enhances process mapping by facilitating identification of TBs for change and barriers, providing a pathway to developing targeted interventions. Virtual process mapping activities produced detailed data and enabled comprehensive map development.Process mapping and qualitative research methods revealed complex and varied clinical processes for the genetic referral of Lynch Syndrome that exist within the Australian health care system.To achieve change in the health system using implementation approaches, time-poor clinicians must engage in information-gathering and idea-generation activities. This research revealed that qualitative process mapping focus groups held both in-person and virtually can be used to streamline these activities, by simultaneously identifying target behaviours for change, and barriers to change, while gaining information about site-specific clinical processes. Hospital process mapping shows that complex clinical processes vary significantly between sites, and that understanding local variation is crucial to developing targeted interventions. This study has informed new approaches to implementation research methods.

BackgroundWhile many high-income countries including Australia have successfully implemented a range of tobacco control policies, smoking remains the leading preventable cause of cancer death in Australia. We have projected Australian mortality rates for cancer types, which have been shown to have an established relationship with cigarette smoking and estimated numbers of cancer deaths attributable to smoking to 2044.MethodsCancer types were grouped according to the proportion of cases currently caused by smoking: 8%–30% and >30%. For each group, an age–period– cohort model or generalised linear model with cigarette smoking exposure as a covariate was selected based on the model fit statistics and validation using observed data. The smoking-attributable fraction (SAF) was calculated for each smoking-related cancer using Australian smoking prevalence data and published relative risks.ResultsDespite the decreasing mortality rates projected for the period 2015–2019 to 2040–2044 for both men and women, the overall number of smoking-related cancer deaths is estimated to increase by 28.7% for men and 35.8% for women: from 138 707 (77 839 men and 60 868 women) in 2015–2019 to 182 819 (100 153 men and 82 666 women) in 2040–2044. Over the period 2020–2044, there will be 254 583 cancer deaths (173 943 men and 80 640 women) directly attributable to smoking, with lung, larynx, oesophagus and oral (comprising lip, oral cavity and pharynx) cancers having the largest SAFs.InterpretationCigarette smoking will cause over 250 000 cancer deaths in Australia from 2020 to 2044. Continued efforts in tobacco control remain a public health priority, even in countries where smoking prevalence has substantially declined.

To assess the longitudinal association between outer retinal microstructure and mesopic as well as scotopic retinal sensitivity in patients with drusen secondary to intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD).

Suicidal ideation due to abortion has been used to justify restrictive US abortion policies. Much research examining abortion and mental health has relied on self-report, has had low participation rates, and did not consider confounding factors. In the present study, we used data that do not rely on self-report and are not affected by low participation rates to examine the association between abortion and non-fatal suicide attempts, adjusting for confounding factors.

Osteoarthritis is the most common musculoskeletal disease and the leading cause of disability globally. Here, we performed a genome-wide association study for osteoarthritis (77,052 cases and 378,169 controls), analyzing four phenotypes: knee osteoarthritis, hip osteoarthritis, knee and/or hip osteoarthritis, and any osteoarthritis. We discovered 64 signals, 52 of them novel, more than doubling the number of established disease loci. Six signals fine-mapped to a single variant. We identified putative effector genes by integrating expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) colocalization, fine-mapping, and human rare-disease, animal-model, and osteoarthritis tissue expression data. We found enrichment for genes underlying monogenic forms of bone development diseases, and for the collagen formation and extracellular matrix organization biological pathways. Ten of the likely effector genes, including TGFB1(transforming growth factor beta 1), FGF18(fibroblast growth factor 18), CTSK(cathepsin K), and IL11(interleukin 11), have therapeutics approved or in clinical trials, with mechanisms of action supportive of evaluation for efficacy in osteoarthritis.

To examine the feasibility and utility of dark-adapted two-color fundus-controlled perimetry (FCP) in patients with cuticular, reticular, and soft drusen, and to compare FCP data to microstructural spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) data. Forty-four eyes (24 eyes of 24 patients with drusen, age 69.4 ± 12.6 years; 20 normal eyes of 16 subjects, 61.7 ± 12.4 years) underwent duplicate mesopic, dark-adapted cyan and dark-adapted red FCP within 14° of the central retina (total of 12 936 threshold tests) using the Scotopic Macular Integrity Assessment (S-MAIA, CenterVue, Padova, Italy) device. FCP data were registered to SD-OCT data to obtain outer nuclear layer, inner and outer photoreceptor segment, and retinal pigment epithelium drusen complex (RPEDC) thickness data spatially corresponding to the stimulus location and area (0.43°). Structure-function correlations were assessed using mixed-effects models. Mean deviation values for eyes with cuticular, soft, and reticular drusen were similar for mesopic (−2.1, −3.4, and −3.6 dB) and dark-adapted red (−1.4, −2.6, and −3.3 dB) FCP. For the dark-adapted cyan FCP (0.1, −1.9, and −5.0 dB) and for the cyan–red sensitivity difference (+1.0, +0.5, and −2.4 dB), the mean deviation values differed significantly in dependence of the predominant drusen type (one-way ANOVA; p< 0.05). RPEDC thickness was associated with reduction of mesopic sensitivity (−0.34 dB/10 µm RPEDC thickening; p< 0.001), dark-adapted cyan sensitivity (−0.11 dB/10 µm RPEDC thickening; p= 0.003), and dark-adapted red sensitivity (−0.26 dB/10 µm RPEDC thickening; p< 0.001). In contrast to mesopic FCP, dark-adapted two-color FCP allowed for meaningful differential testing of rod and cone function in patients with drusen indicating predominant cone dysfunction in eyes with cuticular drusen and predominant rod dysfunction in eyes with reticular drusen. RPEDC thickness was the strongest predictor of the evaluated SD-OCT biomarkers for point-wise sensitivity.

Osteoarthritis is a common complex disease imposing a large public-health burden. Here, we performed a genome-wide association study for osteoarthritis, using data across 16.5 million variants from the UK Biobank resource. After performing replication and meta-analysis in up to 30,727 cases and 297,191 controls, we identified nine new osteoarthritis loci, in all of which the most likely causal variant was noncoding. For three loci, we detected association with biologically relevant radiographic endophenotypes, and in five signals we identified genes that were differentially expressed in degraded compared with intact articular cartilage from patients with osteoarthritis. We established causal effects on osteoarthritis for higher body mass index but not for triglyceride levels or genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes.

Background/AimsTo analyse the retest reliability of visual field indices and to describe patterns of visual field deficits in mesopic and dark-adapted two-colour fundus-controlled perimetry (FCP) in macular diseases.MethodsSeventy-seven eyes (30 eyes with macular diseases and 47 normal eyes) underwent duplicate mesopic and dark-adapted two-colour FCP (Scotopic Macular Integrity Assessment, CenterVue). Non-weighted (mean defect, loss variance), variability-weighted (mean deviation, pattern standard deviation (PSD)) and graphical (cumulative defect (Bebie) curves) indices were computed. Reproducibility (coefficient of repeatability, CoR) of these indices was assessed. Cluster analysis was carried out to identify patterns of visual field deficits.ResultsThe intrasession reproducibility was lower for the mean defect as compared with the mean deviation (CoR (dB) 2.67 vs 2.57 for mesopic, 1.71 vs 1.45 for dark-adapted cyan, 1.94 vs 1.87 for dark-adapted red testing) and lower for the square-root loss variance as compared with the PSD (CoR (dB) 1.48 vs 1.34, 0.77 vs 0.65, 1.23 vs 1.03). Hierarchical cluster analysis of the indices disclosed six patterns of visual field deficits (approximately unbiased P value>0.95) with varying degrees of global versus focal defect and rod versus cone dysfunction. These were also reflected by the cumulative defect curves.ConclusionFCP with mesopic and dark-adapted two-colour testing allows for reproducible assessment of different types of retinal sensitivity, whereby mean deviation and PSD exhibited the better retest reliability of the tested indices. Distinct patterns of retinal dysfunction can be identified using this setup, reflecting variable degrees of rod and cone dysfunction in different macular diseases. Dark-adapted two-colour FCP provides additional diagnostic information and allows for refined structure–function correlation in macular diseases.

(Abstracted from Lancet Oncol2019;20:394–440)Of the estimated 530,000 cervical cancer cases diagnosed globally in 2012, 85% occurred in less developed regions. Both cervical screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage are much lower in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), compared with high-income countries.

Long-term projections of premature mortality (defined as deaths age <75 years) help to inform decisions about public health priorities. This study aimed to project premature mortality rates in Australia to 2044, and to estimate numbers of deaths and potential years of life lost (PYLL) due to premature mortality overall and for 59 causes.

Overweight and obesity is a growing public health issue as it contributes to the future burden of obesity-related diseases, including cancer, especially in high-income countries. In Australia, 4.3% of all cancers diagnosed in 2013 were attributable to overweight and obesity. Our aim was to examine Australian age-specific incidence trends over the last 35 years for obesity-related cancers based on expert review (colorectal, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, breast in postmenopausal women, uterine, ovary, kidney, thyroid, and multiple myeloma) individually and pooled.

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.Intraretinal cystoid lesions associated with age-related macular degeneration may also develop in the absence of active neovascularization. Then, they are most frequently found at the level of the inner nuclear layer, show smaller horizontal and vertical dimensions, and are not associated with increased retinal thickness.

IMPORTANCE: Clinical observations suggest that patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have vision problems, particularly in dim light conditions. Previous studies on structural-functional analysis in patients with AMD with reticular drusen (RDR) have focused on photopic sensitivity testing but have not specifically assessed scotopic function. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate retinal function by scotopic and photopic microperimetry in patients with AMD and a well-demarcated area of RDR. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective case series in a referral center of 22 eyes from 18 patients (mean age, 74.7 years; range, 62-87 years). The study was conducted from June 1, 2014, to October 31, 2014. INTERVENTIONS: With the use of combined confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography imaging, retinal areas with RDR (category 1) and no visible pathologic alterations (category 2) were identified in each eye. Scotopic and photopic microperimetry (MP-1S; Nidek Technologies) was performed using a grid with 56 stimulus points. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Comparison of mean threshold sensitivities for each category for scotopic and photopic microperimetry. RESULTS: In all eyes, areas of category 1 showed a relative and sharply demarcated reduction of scotopic threshold values compared with areas of category 2, but only less-pronounced differences were seen for photopic testing. Statistical analysis in the 18 eyes in which the 1.0–log unit neutral density filter was applied revealed a difference of scotopic threshold values in areas of category 1 (mean, 13.5 dB [95% CI, 12.1-15.0]) vs category 2 (mean, 18.3 dB; [95% CI, 17.4-19.3] (P ≤ .001). For photopic testing, the mean threshold values were 16.8 dB (95% CI, 15.5-18.2) in category 1 and 18.4 dB (95% CI, 17.1-19.6) in category 2 (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results of this study suggest that rod function is more severely affected than cone function in retinal areas with RDR. This differential structural-functional correlation underscores the functional relevance of RDR in patients with AMD.

The knowledge of important biopsychosocial factors linking women’s reproductive health and mental health is increasing. This review focuses on psychological aspects of contraception, unintended pregnancy, and abortion because these are common reproductive health experiences in U.S. women’s lives. This review addresses the mental-health antecedents and consequences of these experiences, mostly focusing on depression and depressive symptoms before and after unintended pregnancy and contraception. As mental-health antecedents, depressive symptoms predict contraceptive behaviors that lead to unintended pregnancy, and mental-health disorders have been associated with having subsequent abortions. In examining the mental-health consequences, most sound research does not find abortion or contraceptive use to cause mental-health problems. Consequently, evidence does not support policies based on the notion that abortion harms women’s mental health. Nevertheless, the abortion-care setting may be a place to integrate mental-health services. In contrast, women who have births resulting from unintended pregnancies may be at higher risk of postpartum depression. Social policies (e.g., paid maternity leave, subsidized child care) may protect women from mental-health problems and stress of unplanned children interrupting employment, education, and pre-existing family care responsibilities.

The XXI World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics (WCPG), sponsored by the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics (ISPG), took place in Boston, Massachusetts, on 17–21 October 2013. Approximately 900 participants gathered to discuss the latest findings in this rapidly advancing field. The following report was written by student travel awardees. Each was assigned one or more sessions as a rapporteur. This manuscript represents topics covered in most, but not all of the oral presentations during the conference, and contains some of the major notable new findings reported.

This study examines the risk of depression, suicidal ideation, and lower self‐esteem following an abortion versus a delivery, with and without adjusting for important correlates. Using the National Comorbidity Survey, we tested how first pregnancy outcome (abortion vs. delivery) related to subsequent major depression, suicidal ideation, and self‐esteem. Models controlling for risk factors, such as background and economic factors, prepregnancy violence experience, and prepregnancy mental health, as well as a model with all risk factors, were examined. When no risk factors were entered in the model, women who had abortions were more likely to have subsequent depression, OR = 1.53, 95% CI [1.05–2.22], and suicidal ideation, OR = 2.02, 95% CI [1.40–2.92], but they were not more likely to have lower self‐esteem, B = −.02. When all risk factors were entered, pregnancy outcome was not significantly related to later depression, OR = 0.87, 95% CI [0.54–1.37], and suicidal ideation, OR = 1.19, 95% CI [0.70–2.02]. Predictors of mental health following abortion and delivery included prepregnancy depression, suicidal ideation, and sexual violence. Policies and practices implemented in response to the claim that abortion hurts women are not supported by our findings. Efforts to support women’s mental health should focus on known risk factors, such as gender‐based violence and prior mental health problems, rather than abortion history.

Translating evidence into complex health systems is an ongoing challenge. Building the capacity of healthcare workers in behavioral and implementation science methods may facilitate the use of evidence-based implementation approaches, leading to sustainable and effective translation. The aim was to describe the development, contents and evaluation of a training workshop aimed at upskilling hospital-embedded staff to deliver an evidence-based implementation approach. The Hide and Seek Project(HaSP) is a cluster randomized controlled trial testing two implementation approaches for improving hereditary cancer referral at eight Australian hospitals. Healthcare workers were recruited as “Implementation Leads” and trained via a one-day workshop—TRAining in evideNce-baSed ImpLementATion for hEalth (TRANSLATE). The purpose of TRANSLATE was to upskill Implementation Leads in the delivery of HaSP, as well as implementation science methods more broadly. Implementation Leads participated in semi-structured evaluation interviews, which were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Nine Implementation Leads from various professional backgrounds completed the training. Four key themes were identified: (i) training day reactions, (ii) learning, (iii) implementation barriers and facilitators, and (iv) building health system capacity for implementation. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction, and anticipated that the knowledge and skills may be useful in the future. We describe a novel training program focused on the delivery of evidence-based implementation within health systems. Guided by insights from this study, methods to deliver the training on a larger scale and across different contexts are being explored. The prolonged impact of TRANSLATE will be further evaluated at trial completion.Trial registration: ANZCTR, ACTRN12618001072202. Registered on June 27, 2018

A large number of studies have investigated the relation between abortion and mental illness. There have been mixed findings in most studies that reflect the limitations of available data and variation in methodology that do not allow adequate control for confounding variables. A previous study using data from the National Comorbidity Survey-Replication reported a strong association between abortion and several postabortion mental disorders. After adjusting for sociodemographic confounding factors, there was a significant association between lifetime abortion and lifetime mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and suicidal ideation. However, the authors did not control for presence of mental disorders before abortion.