Conectar
This study aimed to evaluate survival outcomes and identify key mortality predictors among patients with breast cancer in Ethiopia.
A systematic review and meta-analysis.
The study used 11 primary studies, involving a total of 4131 participants.
We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar until 7 March 2025, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
All observational studies that had reported the survival status and/or at least one predictor of mortality of women patients with breast cancer were considered.
Three independent reviewers (HA, HKN and DGA) used a structured data extraction form to extract the data. To compute the pooled survival and mortality rates, the survival rates at different observation periods and the mortality rates reported in the included studies were extracted.
Eleven studies were analysed. All studies were of good quality based on Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. However, heterogeneity was high (I² = 98.2%, p=0.00). Funnel plots showed significant publication bias. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations assessment indicated moderate certainty for mortality rates and predictors, limited by heterogeneity and regional data gaps. The pooled mortality rate was 36% (95% CI: 25% to 46%). The survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 85% (95% CI: 75% to 96%), 66% (95% CI: 48% to 84%) and 22% (95% CI: 1% to 43%), respectively. Key mortality predictors included advanced clinical stage (Adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR): 4.14; CI: 2.53 to 6.78), rural residence (AHR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.27 to 2.14), positive lymph node status (AHR: 2.85; 95% CI: 1.50 to 5.44), no hormonal therapy (AHR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.59 to 2.56), histologic grade III (AHR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.29 to 2.41), hormone receptor negativity (AHR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.25) and comorbidities (AHR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.41 to 3.56).
Breast cancer in Ethiopia poses a high mortality rate primarily due to late-stage diagnosis, rural residency, histologic grade III, positive lymph node status and comorbidities. To improve survival outcomes, it is crucial to expand access to early screening, particularly in rural areas, implement comprehensive treatment protocols and strengthen healthcare infrastructure to address these critical factors.
CRD42024575074.
by Bewketu Mehari, Tarekegn Fentie Yimer, Tihitna Beletkachew, Eyob Alem, Worku Negash, Mengistu Mulu, Dereje Yenealem, Ayalnesh Miretie
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is a major oilseed crop globally, and white sesame is a key contributor to the foreign exchange earnings of Ethiopia. The main production districts of white sesame in Ethiopia are Humera, Metema, Tegedie, Mirab-Armachiho and Tachi-Armaciho. This study assessed the levels of trace metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn and Ni) in white sesame seeds from these regions and evaluated the associated health risks to consumers. A total of 53 samples were collected from 19 farmer villages across the five districts. Homogenized samples from each village were analyzed using the acid digestion method followed by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). The limit of detection of the method ranged from 0.75 to 865 mg/kg, and the limit of quantitation ranged from 2.55 to 28.8 mg/kg for the different elements analyzed. The recovery of the method was in the range of 90.9‒99.6%. The results showed trace metal levels ranging from 164 ± 6 to 381 ± 4 mg/kg for Fe, 94.0 ± 1.9 to 126 ± 0.8 mg/kg for Zn, 11.8 ± 0.4 to 14.2 ± 0.4 mg/kg for Cu, 11.9 ± 0.9 to 15.0 ± 0.7 mg/kg for Mn and 16.2 ± 1.1 to 21.0 ± 1.2 mg/kg for Ni across the production districts. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences (p
FreshRSS 