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bioRxiv · 10.1101/625160

Role of ethnicity and socio-economic status (SES) in the presentation of retinoblastoma: findings from the UK

Bourkiza, R.·Cumberland, P.·Abeysekera, H.·Parulekar, M.·Sagoo, M. S.·Rahi, J.·Reddy, A.
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Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate if there was a relationship between ethnicity or socioeconomic status and the presentation of advanced non-familial retinoblastoma in the UK.\n\nMethodsA cross sectional study based at the two centres providing retinoblastoma care in the UK. Non-familial cases of retinoblastoma (Rb) presenting between January 2006 and December 2011 were included. Data collected included: age at diagnosis, gender, childs ethnicity, International Intraocular Retinoblastoma Classification (IIRC) stage with Groups D and E being considered advanced, laterality, treatment, and postcodes. Individual postcode (ZIP code) data was used to obtain the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) score. A postal questionnaire was sent to participants parents to collect further, person-level, information on languages spoken and household socioeconomic position. Measures of severity of retinoblastoma also included: requirement for primary enucleation; the use of adjuvant chemotherapy; and mortality.\n\nResults189 cases were analyzed. 98 (52%) male and 91 (48%) female. Median age at diagnosis was 16 months [IQR 8 - 34 months]. 153/189 (81%) of cases presented with advanced retinoblastoma; 75 (40%) group E, 78 (41%) group D. 134 (72%) of cases were treated with enucleation.\n\nMultivariable analysis showed that older age at presentation was associated with enucleation and bilateral disease was associated with adjuvant chemotherapy. There was some indication that South Asian ethnicity and being in the most deprived IMD quintile were associated with a higher likelihood of presentation with advanced disease, but these estimates did not reach statistical significance.\n\nConclusionsIn this first national UK study of patients with non-familial retinoblastoma, there was no evidence of an association of ethnicity or socio-economic status and the risk of presenting with advanced disease. This may reflect equality in access of health care in the UK. As a result, awareness campaigns should continue.

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Bourkiza, R., Cumberland, P., Abeysekera, H., Parulekar, M., Sagoo, M. S., Rahi, J., Reddy, A.. 2019-05-01. Role of ethnicity and socio-economic status (SES) in the presentation of retinoblastoma: findings from the UK. https://doi.org/10.1101/625160

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