Incidence Trends of Vestibular Schwannomas in Nordic Countries
Author Information
Author(s): Larjavaara S, Feychting M, Sankila R, Johansen C, Klaeboe L, Schüz J, Auvinen A
Hypothesis
What are the incidence rates of vestibular schwannomas in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden between 1987 and 2007?
Conclusion
The overall incidence of vestibular schwannomas increased in all four Nordic countries combined between 1987 and 2007, with marked differences between countries.
Supporting Evidence
- The average age-standardised incidence rates varied from 6.1 per 1,000,000 person-years among Finnish men to 11.6 in Danish men.
- An overall annual increase of 3.0% was observed when all countries and both sexes were combined.
- Incidence rates more or less stabilised in the late 1990s, showing relatively constant rates and even some decline after 2000.
Takeaway
This study looked at how many people got a type of tumor called vestibular schwannoma in four Nordic countries over 20 years, and found that more people were diagnosed over time.
Methodology
Data from national cancer registries in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden were analyzed for the period 1987-2007.
Potential Biases
Variability in coding systems and completeness of registration may introduce bias in incidence rates.
Limitations
The practices of reporting and coding vestibular schwannoma cases varied between countries, which complicates the interpretation of results.
Participant Demographics
The study included data from approximately 24 million people across four Nordic countries.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.96
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 2.1–3.9
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website