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Occupation and multiple myeloma: An occupation and industry analysis
Author(s) -
Gold Laura S.,
Milliken Kevin,
Stewart Patricia,
Purdue Mark,
Severson Richard,
Seixas Noah,
Blair Aaron,
Davis Scott,
Hartge Patricia,
De Roos Anneclaire J.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20857
Subject(s) - medicine , confidence interval , odds ratio , population , medicaid , demography , logistic regression , environmental health , gerontology , health care , economics , sociology , economic growth
Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy with a poorly understood etiology. The purpose of our research was to examine the relationships between lifetime occupations and MM in a relatively large case–control study. Methods MM cases (n = 180) were identified through cancer registries in the Seattle‐Puget Sound area and Detroit. Population‐based controls (n = 481) were identified using random digit dialing and Medicare and Medicaid Services files. In‐person interviews were conducted to ascertain occupational histories. Standard occupational classification (SOC) and standard industrial classification (SIC) codes were assigned to each job held by each participant. Unconditional logistic regression was used to generate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between MM and having ever worked in each occupation/industry and according to duration of employment in an occupation/industry. Results The risk of MM was associated with several manufacturing occupations and industries, including machine operators and tenders, not elsewhere classified (SOC 76) (OR = 1.8, CI = 1.0–3.3); textile, apparel, and furnishing machine operators and tenders (SOC 765) (OR = 6.0, CI = 1.7–21); and machinery manufacturing, except electrical (SIC 35) (OR = 3.3, CI = 1.7–6.7). Several service occupations and industries, such as food and beverage preparation (SOC 521) (OR = 2.0, CI = 1.1–3.8), were also associated with MM. One occupation that has been associated with MM in several previous studies, painters, paperhangers, and plasterers (SOC 644) was associated with a non‐significantly elevated risk (OR = 3.6, CI = 0.7–19). Conclusions We found associations between the risk of MM and employment in several manufacturing and service‐related occupations and industries. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:768–779, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.