Skin biopsy rates and incidence of melanoma: population based ecological study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To describe changes in skin biopsy rates and to determine their relation with changes in the incidence of melanoma.

Design

Population based ecological study.

Setting

Nine geographical areas of the United States.

Participants

Participants of the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) programme aged 65 and older.

Main outcome measures

For the period 1986 to 2001, annual skin biopsy rates for each surveillance area from Medicare claims and incidence rates for melanoma for the same population.

Results

Between 1986 and 2001 the average biopsy rate across the nine participating areas increased 2.5-fold among people aged 65 and older (2847 to 7222 per 100,000 population). Over the same period the average incidence of melanoma increas

SUBMITTER: Welch HG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1199022 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature