Malignant Mesothelioma Surveillance: A Comparison of ICD 10 Mortality Data with SEER Incidence Data in Nine Areas of the United States

Abstract

With the implementation in 1999 of ICD-10 death certificate coding in the United States, mortality data specific to malignant mesothelioma became readily available on a national basis. To evaluate the accuracy and completeness of diagnosis and coding for mesothelioma on the death certificate, mortality information was compared with incidence data. A mortality/incidence ratio was calculated for each of the nine areas covered by the SEER Program, using National Vital Statistics mortality data from 1999 and 2000, and the SEER incidence data for 1998 and 1999. The mortality/incidence ratio for the two years combined for all areas was 0.82. Only two areas (Connecticut and Atlanta) had ratios <80%. The overall correlation coefficient between mortality and incidence rates was 0.96. Thus, mortality data coded using ICD-10 can be a valid source for mesothelioma surveillance and can be instituted without major cost if a national mortality statistics program based on ICD-10 is in place, making it feasible even for developing countries.

Factors affecting the mesothelioma detection rate within national and international epidemiological studies: insights from Scottish linked cancer registry-mortality data

“…This is in line with earlier USA predictions (80%), and preliminary estimates (82%) based on crude statespecific population mortality/incidence ratios, made without the benefit of direct record linkage data (Davis et al, 1992;Pinheiro et al, 2004). Most of the increased detection in the Scottish data set appears to result from a drop in the use of codes relating to 'malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung' and 'malignant neoplasm, unspecified site' from 22 to 4%, and 18 to 1%, in ICD-9 and ICD-10, respectively.…”

Case–control study of pleural mesothelioma in workers with social security in Mexico

“…1). This increase is similar to that reported in European countries, the U.S., and China [Karjalainen et al, 1997;Albin et al, 1999;Goodman et al, 1999;Banaei et al, 2000;Pinheiro et al, 2004;Hodgson et al, 2005]. According to Nicholson et al [1982], it has been estimated that for every pleural mesothelioma-associated death there are 2.3 (95% CI, 2-2.7) asbestos exposure-related deaths due to lung cancer.…”

Malignant Mesothelioma: Global Incidence and Relationship with Asbestos

“…Very marked variations have been observed among the areas monitored by SEER. In 1998 mesothelioma incidence ranged from 4.49 per million in Hawaii to 23.30 per million in Seattle (Puget Sound) 24) . It remains doubtful, if the data obtained by SEER in about 15% of US population reflect or not the situation of the entire country.…”