Social inequality and incidence of and survival from tumours of the central nervous system in a population-based study in Denmark, 1994-2003

Abstract

We investigated the effects of socioeconomic, demographic and health-related indicators on the incidence of and survival from tumours of the central nervous system (CNS) diagnosed in 1994-2003 with follow-up through 2006 in Denmark using information from nationwide Danish administrative registers. The analyses were based on data on 5622 patients with CNS tumours in a cohort of 2.7 million people born between 1925 and 1973 and aged >or=30 years. Socioeconomic and demographic factors were not associated with the incidence of CNS tumours, except for a significantly increased incidence rate ratio (IRR) amongst men in the agricultural class (IRR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.04-1.45). The 1- and 5-year survival was significantly longer in higher socioeconomic groups, as assessed by education, income, affiliation to the work market and size of dwelling. Socioeconomic position does not affect the incidence of CNS tumours but appears to be a prognostic factor for survival from CNS tumours in Denmark.