Occupational exposure and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a prospective cohort

Authors: Koeman T, Slottje P, Schouten LJ, Peters S, Huss A, Veldink JH, Kromhout H, van den Brandt PA, Vermeulen R

Year: 2017 Mar 29

Category: Epidemiology

Journal: Occup Environ Med

DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2016-103780

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28356332

Abstract

Overview

This study investigates potential occupational risk factors for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), focusing on electromagnetic field (EMF) exposures among other factors.

Methods

  • A prospective cohort within the Netherlands Cohort Study included 58,279 men and 62,573 women aged 55-69 years at enrollment in 1986.
  • Participants were followed up for 17.3 years regarding ALS mortality.
  • Occupational exposure to solvents, pesticides, metals, extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs), and electrical shocks was estimated with job exposure matrices (JEMs).
  • Cox regression analysis was used to examine associations between occupational exposures and ALS mortality.

Findings

Significant findings were observed in the association between ELF-MF exposure and ALS mortality in men:

  • Hazard Ratio (HR) for ever having a job with high ELF-MF exposure versus background exposure was 2.19 (95% CI: 1.02 to 4.73).
  • HR for highest tertile of cumulative ELF-MF exposure versus background exposure was 1.93 (95% CI 1.05 to 3.55).

Conclusion

The evidence suggesting a positive connection between exposure to ELF-MFs and ALS mortality among men is strengthened by the results of this study, although no significant associations were found for other studied occupational exposures.

ALS occupational exposure electromagnetic fields ELF-MF cohort study job exposure matrices mortality
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