EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE POPULATION, WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF BRONCHIAL AND LUNG CANCER, FROM A HOSPITAL IN THE ANTOFAGASTA REGION, CHILE

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the characteristics and epidemiological measures of the population aged 18 years and older, with a diagnosis of bronchial and lung cancer, treated at the Regional Hospital of Antofagasta
(HRA), Chile, during 2018-2021. Material and Method: Observational and descriptive prevalence study
based on a statistical report issued by the HRA and the review of electronic clinical records. All cases with a diagnosis of lung cancer that met the inclusion criteria were included. The type of analysis was descriptive. In addition, epidemiological measures were estimated: mortality, prevalence, incidence, years of life potentially lost (YLLL). Results: Males had the highest mortality rate (24.3%) with a case-fatality rate of 70%. The most common cancer was squamous non-small cell lung cancer (58%), especially in men with stage IV. 58.4% of the patients reported a history of smoking. Conclusion: Antofagasta is the region with the highest lung cancer mortality in Chile (36.8), similar to that observed in highly industrialized countries. In addition, more than half of the subjects were diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease.