29. Anal cancer trends in Puerto Rico (PR) from 1985 to 2005: impact of HIV status

Sexual Health ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 584
Author(s):  
Ana P. Ortiz ◽  
Karen J. Ortiz-Ortiz ◽  
Maricarmen Traverso ◽  
Moraima Ríos ◽  
Vivian Colón-Lopez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anal Cancer ◽  
Cancer Incidence ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Hiv Status ◽  
Incidence Trends ◽  
Linkage Algorithm ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Impact

Background PR is one of the US jurisdictions with the highest burden of HIV/AIDS. We describe the proportion of HIV+ anal cancer cases in PR and the impact of HIV status on anal cancer incidence trends, by sex and age. Methods: The PR Central Cancer Registry (PRCCR) and the PR AIDS Surveillance Program databases were linked using a probabilistic linkage algorithm with Link Plus v.2.0 software. The proportion of anal cancer cases with and without HIV in PR were calculated. Temporal trends (1985–2005) in the incidence rates (standardised US 2000 population) of anal cancer (overall and after exclusion of HIV+ cancer cases) were calculated through annual per cent changes (APC) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), using a Joinpoint log-linear model. Results: From 1985 to 2005, 736 cases of anal cancer were diagnosed in PR; 26 cases were HIV+. While most anal cancer patients were female (70.8%), the proportion of HIV+ patients was higher in males (11.4%) than females (0.77%). In men, incidence increased significantly (APC = 3.23, P < 0.05) when HIV+ cases were considered; the increase was reduced (APC = 0.97) when these were excluded (P > 0.05). In females, incidence increased (APC = 2.01) when HIV+ cases were considered, whereas the increase was reduced (APC = 0.85) when these were excluded; these increases were non-significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Consistent with data from the US, the increasing anal cancer incidence rates in PR were strongly influenced by the HIV epidemic in males but were independent of HIV infection in females.

Temporal trends in food group availability and cancer incidence in Africa: an ecological analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 2569-2580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elom K Aglago ◽  
Freddie Bray ◽  
Francis Zotor ◽  
Nadia Slimani ◽  
Veronique Chajès ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Food Availability ◽  
Cancer Incidence ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Food Group ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractObjective:We evaluated the relationship between food availability, as the only dietary exposure data available across Africa, and age-standardised cancer incidence rates (ASR) in eighteen countries.Design:Ecological study.Setting:Availability of food groups and dietary energy was considered for five hypothetical time points: years of collection of ASR (T 0) and 5, 10, 15 and 20 preceding years (T –5, T –10, T –15, T –20). Ecological correlations adjusted for human development index, smoking and obesity rates were calculated to evaluate the relationship between food availability and ASR of breast, prostate, colorectal, oesophageal, pancreatic, stomach and thyroid cancer.Results:Red meat was positively correlated with pancreatic cancer in men (T –20: r –20 = 0·61, P &lt; 0·05), stomach cancer in women (T 0: r 0 = 0·58, P &lt; 0·05), and colorectal cancer in men (T 0: r 0 = 0·53, P &lt; 0·05) and women (T –20: r –20 = 0·58, P &lt; 0·05). Animal products including meat, animal fats and higher animal-sourced energy supply tended to be positively correlated with breast, colorectal, pancreatic, stomach and thyroid cancer. Alcoholic beverages were positively correlated to oesophageal cancer in men (r 0 = 0·69, P &lt; 0·001) and women (r –20 = 0·72, P &lt; 0·001).Conclusions:The present analysis provides initial insights into the impact of alcoholic beverages, and increasing use of animal over plant products, on the incidence of specific cancers in Africa. The findings support the need for epidemiological studies to investigate the role of diet in cancer development in Africa.

scholarly journals Childhood cancer incidence in Canada: demographic and geographic variation of temporal trends (1992–2010)

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 79-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Xie ◽  
Jay Onysko ◽  
Howard Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Cancer Incidence ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Geographic Variations ◽  
Incidence Trends ◽  
Cancer Registry Data

Introduction Surveillance of childhood cancer incidence trends can inform etiologic research, policy and programs. This study presents the first population-based report on demographic and geographic variations in incidence trends of detailed pediatric diagnostic groups in Canada. Methods The Canadian Cancer Registry data were used to calculate annual age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) from 1992 to 2010 among children less than 15 years of age by sex, age and region for the 12 main diagnostic groups and selected subgroups of the International Classification of Childhood Cancer (ICCC), 3rd edition. Temporal trends were examined by annual percent changes (APCs) using Joinpoint regression. Results The ASIRs of childhood cancer among males increased by 0.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.2–0.9) annually from 1992 to 2010, whereas incidence among females increased by 3.2% (CI = 0.4–6.2) annually since 2004 after an initial stabilization. The largest overall increase was observed in children aged 1–4 years (APC = 0.9%, CI = 0.4–1.3). By region, the overall rates increased the most in Ontario from 2006 to 2010 (APC = 5.9%, CI = 1.9–10.1), and increased non-significantly in the other regions from 1992 to 2010. Average annual ASIRs for all cancers combined from 2006 to 2010 were lower in the Prairies (149.4 per million) and higher in Ontario (170.1 per million). The ASIRs increased for leukemias, melanoma, carcinoma, thyroid cancer, ependymomas and hepatoblastoma for all ages, and neuroblastoma in 1–4 year olds. Astrocytoma decreased in 10–14 year olds (APC = −2.1%, CI = −3.7 to −0.5), and among males (APC = −2.4%, CI = −4.6 to −0.2) and females (APC = −3.7%, CI = −5.8 to −1.6) in Ontario over the study period. Conclusion Increasing incidence trends for all cancers and selected malignancies are consistent with those reported in other developed countries, and may reflect the changes in demographics and etiological exposures, and artefacts of changes in cancer coding, diagnosis and reporting. Significant decreasing trend for astrocytoma in late childhood was observed for the first time.

scholarly journals Colorectal Cancer in Lebanon: Incidence, Temporal Trends, and Comparison to Regional and Western Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 107327482199686
Author(s):  
Najla A. Lakkis ◽  
Ola El-Kibbi ◽  
Mona H. Osman
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Cancer Incidence ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Steady Increase ◽  
P Value ◽  
Western Countries ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Incidence ◽  
Males And Females

Global trends in the incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer show a steady increase with significant predilection to western developed countries, possibly linking it to westernized lifestyles among other risk factors. This study aims to investigate the incidence and trends of colorectal cancer in Lebanon, a country in the Middle East and North Africa region, and to compare these rates to those in regional and western countries. Colorectal cancer incidence data were extracted from the Lebanese National Cancer Registry for the currently available years 2005 to 2016. The calculated age-standardized incidence rates and age-specific rates were expressed as per 100,000 population. The age-standardized incidence rates of colorectal cancer in Lebanon increased from 16.3 and 13.0 per 100,000 in 2005 to 23.2 and 20.2 per 100,000 in 2016, among males and females, respectively. The incidences were higher for males, and they increased with age. The annual percent change was +4.36% and +4.45%, in males and females respectively (p-value < 0.05). There was a non-statistically significant trend of decrease in recent years (since 2012 in males and since 2011 in females). The age-standardized incidence rates in Lebanon were higher than those in the majority of the regional countries, but lower than the rates in developed western countries. There were high age-specific incidence rates at age groups 40-44 and 45-49 years in Lebanon in both males and females (with significant rising temporal trend) compared to other countries, including the ones reported to have the highest colorectal cancer age-standardized incidence rate worldwide. Therefore, the burden of colorectal cancer is significant in Lebanon. This raises the necessity to develop national strategies tailored to reduce colorectal cancer incidence through promoting healthy lifestyles, raising awareness, and early detection as of 40 years of age.

scholarly journals Trends in cancer incidence in Uruguay:2002 - 2015

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariela Garau ◽  
Carina Musetti ◽  
Rafael Alonso ◽  
Enrique Barrios
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cancer Registry ◽  
Cancer Incidence ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
National Cancer Registry ◽  
Incidence Trends ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Life Style Changes

Background: Uruguay is the southamerican country which has the highest cancer incidence and mortality rates. The National Cancer Registry collects data on cancer cases nationwide since 1989 and has reached high quality standards in the last decades. This is the first report on incidence trends. Methods: Data from the National Cancer Registry of all new cases of invasive cancer from twelve sites diagnosed in 2002-2015 was analyzed. Age-standardized rates were calculated. Trends of incidence rates were analyzed using joinpoint regression models. Results For both, men and women, incidence rates trends for all cancer sites, colo-rectal and bladder cancer remained stable. Esophageal and gastric cancers descend while Thyroid and kidney cancer incidence increased. In men lung cancer decreased; testicular cancer increased, and prostate cancer increased at the beginning of the period and decreased in the final years. In women; lung cancer increased, breast cancer remained stable and cervical cancer presented a significant decline from 2005 to 2010 and reached a plateau since then. Conclusion: Cancer incidence dynamics are complex and affected not only by Public Health policies such as tobacco control, vaccination and screening programs, but also by environmental and life style changes and the attitude of the medical community towards the application of diagnostic and therapeutic tools. The aim of this paper is to analyze cancer incidence time trends in the country and provide possible explanations to them.

Impact of Ethnicity On Incidence and Survival Among Adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in the United States; Insights From 2005 SEER Data.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 3069-3069
Author(s):  
Casey L O'Connell ◽  
Pedram Razavi ◽  
Roberta McKean-Cowdin ◽  
Malcolm C. Pike
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
The United States ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
The Us ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Abstract Abstract 3069 Poster Board III-6 Background Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive malignancy whose incidence declines through adolescence and then increases steadily with age. Prognosis appears to be inversely related to age among adults. We sought to explore the impact of race/ethnicity on incidence and survival among adults with ALL in the United States (US). Methods We examined trends in incidence and survival among adults with ALL in the US using the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program which includes data from 17 SEER registries. We calculated the incidence rates for the most recent time period (2001-2005) because the classification for ALL subtypes was more complete during this time. For the survival analysis we used the data collected between 1975 and 2005. We categorized race/ethnicity into 5 mutually exclusive categories: non-Hispanic whites (NHW), Hispanic whites (HW), African Americans (AA), Asian/Pacific Islanders (API) and American Indians/Native Alaskans (AI/NA). Hispanic ethnicity was defined using SEER's Hispanic-origin variable which is based on the NAACCR Hispanic Identification Algorithm (NHIA); 11 patients dually coded as black and Hispanic were included in the AA group for our analyses. Few ALL cases were identified among AI/NA, so that group is not represented in the final analyses. We included ALL cases coded in the SEER registry using the International Classification of Disease for Oncology (ICD-0-3) as 9827-9829 and 9835-9837. We excluded cases of Burkitt's leukemia (n=228), cases that were not confirmed by microscopic or cytologic tests (n=132), cases that were reported only based on autopsy data (n=3) and cases whose race/ethnicity were unknown (n=20). The average annual incidence rates per 100,000 for 2001-2005, age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population were calculated using SEER*Stat Version 6.4.4 statistical software. We used multivariate Cox hazard models stratified by SEER registry and age category to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for relative survival of adult ALL cases across race/ethnicity, sex and cell of origin (B- or T-cell). All models were adjusted for the diagnosis era, and use of non-CNS radiation. The model also included an interaction term for age and diagnosis era. We performed a separate stratified analysis of the impact of race/ethnicity on survival within age subgroups (20-29, 30-39, 40-59, 60-69, 70+). Results The highest incidence rate (IR) of ALL was observed for HW (IR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.43-1.79). HW had a significantly higher IR across all age categories as compared to the other racial/ethnic groups, while AA had the lowest IR. In particular, the observed rate of B-cell ALL among HW (IR 0.77; 95% CI 0.69-0.87) was more than twice that of NHW (IR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.27-0.32) and more than three times the rate observed among AA (IR: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.15-0.26). In contrast, we did not observe statistically significant variability in the rates of T-cell ALL across race/ethnic groups (overall IR: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.11-0.14). Survival was significantly poorer among AA (HR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.09-1.46), HW (HR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.09-1.46), and API (HR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.06-1.32) compared to NHW with all subtypes of ALL. Among adults younger than 40 with B-cell ALL, survival was significantly poorer among AA (HR: 1.60; 95% CI:1.021-2.429) and HW (HR: 1.53; 95% CI:1.204-1.943) with a non-signficant trend among API (HR: 1.22; 95% 0.834-1.755) compared to NHW. Survival differences between the different racial/ethnic groups were no longer statistically significant among adults with B-cell ALL over the age of 40. For T-cell ALL, survival was significantly poorer among AA (HR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.22-2.10), HW (HR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.14-1.93) and API (HR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.13-2.13), as compared to NHW. A similar survival pattern by age (adults above and below age 40 years) was observed for T-cell as described for B-cell, with AA under 40 having a particularly dismal prognosis (HR: 2.89; 95% CI 1.96-4.17) compared to NHW. Conclusions The incidence rate of B-cell ALL among adults in the US is higher among HW than other ethnic groups. Survival is significantly poorer among AA and HW than among NHW under the age of 40 with B-cell ALL. Survival is also significantly poorer among AA, HW and API than among NHW with T-cell ALL in adults under 40. Survival trends appear to converge after the age of 40 among all racial/ethnic groups. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Racial and age specific differences in localized and metastatic prostate cancer incidence: 1988-2013.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 211-211
Author(s):  
Marc Dall'Era ◽  
Ralph deVere White ◽  
Danielle Rodgriguez ◽  
Rosemary Donaldson Cress
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cancer Incidence ◽  
Metastatic Prostate Cancer ◽  
Prostate Cancer Screening ◽  
The United States ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Localized Prostate Cancer ◽  
Prostate Cancer Incidence ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
The Impact

211 Background: The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against routine PSA based prostate cancer screening in all men in 2012. This led to dramatic reductions in screening and rates of localized disease across all clinical risk groups. We sought to study the impact of this on rates of metastatic disease, specifically by patient race and age. Methods: We analyzed new prostate cancer incidence by stage at diagnosis between 1988-2013 within the Cancer Registry of Greater California. We further stratified cases by four major race/ethnicity groups (non-Hispanic white (NHW), non-Hispanic black (NHB), Hispanic and non-Hispanic Asian/PI (API)) and age. Incidence rates were calculated and compared per 100,000 and age-adjusted to the 2000 US Standard Population. Joinpoint regression was used to detect changes in incidence and to calculate the average percent change (APC). Results: Adjusted rates of remote prostate cancer incidence for NHW men increased slightly in the most recent decade (+0.28%) after steady declines in previous years with the inflection point occurring in 2002, however this was not statistically significant. In contrast, incidence of remote prostate cancer continued to decline for NHB (-2.73%), Hispanic (-2.04%), and API (-1.45%) men. The greatest increase of +1.1% a year since 2002 was observed for NHW men under age 65. The incidence of localized prostate cancer declined for all race/ethnicity groups over the most recent time period and also declined in all age groups. After remaining relatively flat since 1992, incidence of localized prostate cancer among NHW men declined by over 8% per year starting in 2007 compared with a more gradual decline of -3.52% a year since 2000 for NHB, and more recent declines of -14.41% and -16.64% for Hispanic and API men, respectively. Incidence of regional stage cancer also declined in all groups, but less dramatically. Conclusions: Incidence rates of newly metastatic prostate cancer have not significantly changed since PSA screening declined in the US although we noted a slight upward trend primarily for younger, white men since 2002.

scholarly journals First Results of the Swiss National Surgical Site Infection Surveillance Program: Who Seeks Shall Find

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (06) ◽  
pp. 697-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Troillet ◽  
Emin Aghayev ◽  
Marie-Christine Eisenring ◽  
Andreas F. Widmer ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Site Infection ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Colon Surgery ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Site Infection ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
First Results ◽  
The Impact

OBJECTIVES To report on the results of the Swiss national surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance program, including temporal trends, and to describe methodological characteristics that may influence SSI rates DESIGN Countrywide survey of SSI over a 4-year period. Analysis of prospectively collected data including patient and procedure characteristics as well as aggregated SSI rates stratified by risk categories, type of SSI, and time of diagnosis. Temporal trends were analyzed using stepwise multivariate logistic regression models with adjustment of the effect of the duration of participation in the surveillance program for confounding factors. SETTING The study included 164 Swiss public and private hospitals with surgical activities. RESULTS From October 2011 to September 2015, a total of 187,501 operations performed in this setting were included. Cumulative SSI rates varied from 0.9% for knee arthroplasty to 14.4% for colon surgery. Postdischarge follow-up was completed in &gt;90% of patients at 1 month for surgeries without an implant and in &gt;80% of patients at 12 months for surgeries with an implant. High rates of SSIs were detected postdischarge, from 20.7% in colon surgeries to 93.3% in knee arthroplasties. Overall, the impact of the duration of surveillance was significantly and independently associated with a decrease in SSI rates in herniorraphies and C-sections but not for the other procedures. Nevertheless, some hospitals observed significant decreases in their rates for various procedures. CONCLUSIONS Intensive post-discharge surveillance may explain high SSI rates and cause artificial differences between programs. Surveillance per se, without structured and mandatory quality improvement efforts, may not produce the expected decrease in SSI rates. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:697–704

Absence of sustained breast cancer incidence inflation in a national mammography screening programme

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Morrell ◽  
Marli Gregory ◽  
Kerry Sexton ◽  
Jessica Wharton ◽  
Nisha Sharma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Cancer Incidence ◽  
Invasive Breast Cancer ◽  
Mammography Screening ◽  
Screening Programme ◽  
Breast Cancer Incidence ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Incidence Trends ◽  
The Impact

Objective To investigate the impact of population mammography screening on breast cancer incidence trends in New Zealand. Methods Trends in age-specific rates of invasive breast cancer incidence (1994–2014) were assessed in relation to screening in women aged 50–64 from 1999 and 45–69 following the programme age extension in mid-2004. Results Breast cancer incidence increased significantly by 18% in women aged 50–64 compared with 1994–98 (p<0.0001), coinciding with the 1999 introduction of mammography screening, and remained elevated for four years, before declining to pre-screening levels. Increases over 1994–99 incidence occurred in the 45–49 (21%) and 65–69 (19%) age groups following the 2004 age extension (p<0.0001). Following establishment of screening (2006–10), elevated incidence in the screening target age groups was compensated for by lower incidence in the post-screening ⩾70 age groups than in 1994–98. Incidence in women aged ⩾45 was not significantly higher (+5%) after 2006 than in 1994–98. The cumulated risk of breast cancer in women aged 45–84 for 1994–98 was 10.7% compared with 10.8% in 2006–10. Conclusions Increases in breast cancer incidence following introduction of mammography screening in women aged 50–64 did not persist. Incidence inflation also occurred after introduction of screening for age groups 45–49 and 65–69. The cumulated incidence for women aged 45–84 over 2006–10 after screening was well established, compared with 1994–98 prior to screening, shows no increase in diagnosis. Over-diagnosis is not inevitable in population mammography screening programmes.

scholarly journals The impact of risk factor trends on intracerebral hemorrhage incidence over the last two decades—The Tromsø Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Carlsson ◽  
Tom Wilsgaard ◽  
Stein Harald Johnsen ◽  
Liv-Hege Johnsen ◽  
Maja-Lisa Løchen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Intracerebral Hemorrhages ◽  
The Impact

Background Studies on the relationship between temporal trends in risk factors and incidence rates of intracerebral hemorrhage are scarce. Aims To analyze temporal trends in risk factors and incidence rates of intracerebral hemorrhage using individual data from a population-based study. Methods We included 28,167 participants of the Tromsø Study enrolled between 1994 and 2008. First-ever intracerebral hemorrhages were registered through 31 December 2013. Hazard ratios (HRs) for intracerebral hemorrhage were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards models, risk factor levels over time by generalized estimating equations, and incidence rate ratios (IRR) by Poisson regression. Results We registered 219 intracerebral hemorrhages. Age, male sex, systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, and hypertension were associated with intracerebral hemorrhage. Hypertension was more strongly associated with non-lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (HR 5.08, 95% CI 2.86–9.01) than lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.12–3.25). In women, incidence decreased significantly (IRR 0.46, 95% CI 0.23–0.90), driven by a decrease in non-lobar intracerebral hemorrhage. Incidence rates in men remained stable (IRR 1.27, 95% CI 0.69–2.31). BP levels were lower and decreased more steeply in women than in men. The majority with hypertension were untreated, and a high proportion of those treated did not reach treatment goals. Conclusions We observed a significant decrease in intracerebral hemorrhage incidence in women, but not in men. A steeper BP decrease in women may have contributed to the diverging trends. The high proportion of untreated and sub-optimally treated hypertension calls for improved strategies for prevention of intracerebral hemorrhage.

scholarly journals COVID19 epidemic growth rates have declined since early March in U.S. regions with active hospitalized case surveillance

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajiv Bhatia
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Cumulative Incidence ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Harmonic Mean ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Incidence Data ◽  
The Us ◽  
Mortality Incidence

Introduction Optimal pandemic monitoring and management requires unbiased and regionally specific estimates of disease incidence and epidemic growth. Methods I estimated growth rates and doubling times across a 22-week period of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic using hospital admissions incidence data collected through the US CDC COVID-NET surveillance program which operates in 98 U.S. counties located in 13 states. I cross validated the growth measures using mortality incidence data for the same regions and time periods. Results Between March 1 and August 8, 2020, two distinct waves of epidemic activity occurred. During the first wave in the COVID-NET monitoring regions, the harmonic mean of the maximum weekly growth rate was 534% (Median: 575; Range: 250 to 2250) and this maximum occurred in the second or third week of March in different regions. The harmonic mean of the minimum doubling time occurred with maximum growth rate and was 0.35 weeks (Median 0.36 weeks; Range: 0.22 to 0.55 weeks). The harmonic mean of the maximum incidence rate during the first wave of the epidemic was 8.5 hospital admissions per 100,000 people per week (Median: 9.2, Range: 4 to 40.5) and the peak of epidemic infection transmission associated with this maximum occurred on or before March 27, 2020 in eight of the 13 regions. Dividing the 22-week observed period into four intervals, the harmonic mean of the weekly hospitalization incidence rate was highest during the second interval (4.6 hospitalizations per week per 100,000), then fell during the third and fourth intervals. Growth rates declined from 101 percent per week in the first interval to 2.5 percent per week in the last. Doubling time have lengthened from 3/5th of a week in the first interval to 12.5 weeks in the last. Period by period, the cumulative incidence has grown primarily in a linear mode. The mean cumulative incidence of hospitalizations on Aug 8th, 2020 in the COVID-NET regions is 96 hospitalizations per 100,000. Regions which experienced the highest maximum weekly incidence rates or greatest cumulative incidence rates in the first wave, generally, but not uniformly, observed the lower incidence rates in the second wave. Growth measures calculated based on mortality incidence data corroborate these findings. Conclusions Declining epidemic growth rates of SARS-COV-2 infection appeared in early March in the first observations of nationwide hospital admissions surveillance program in multiple U.S. regions. A sizable fraction of the U.S. population may have been infected in a cryptic February epidemic acceleration phase. To more accurately monitor epidemic trends and inform pandemic mitigation planning going forward, the US CDC needs measures of epidemic disease incidence that better reflect clinical disease and account for large variations in case ascertainment strategies over time.

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