title: Amalgam fillings, diagnostic dental x-rays and tumours of the brain and meninges.
abstract: A population-based case-control study of incident brain tumours in adults in Adelaide, South Australia considered possible associations of exposures to amalgam fillings and diagnostic dental X-rays with subsequent development of glioma and meningioma. The study, conducted in 1987-1990, recorded data from 110 subjects with glioma, 60 with meningioma and 417 controls. Principal findings were unexplained decreased risks for glioma associated with both exposure to amalgam fillings (age- and sex adjusted relative risk = 0.47, 95% confidence interval: 0.25-0.91; P = 0.02) and to diagnostic dental X-rays (adjusted relative risk = 0.42; 95% confidence interval: 0.24-0.76; P = 0.004), and a possible increased risk for meningioma in males exposed to dental X-rays. The choice of the unexposed comparison group is important in determining if an increased risk is associated with panoramic or full-mouth X-rays in glioma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, University of Adelaide, S. Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: North
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: McMichael
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008579:Meningioma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000009:adverse effects; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D003723:Dental Amalgam