Risk of thyroid nodules in subjects occupationally exposed to radiation: a cross sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine, by ultrasonography the prevalence of thyroid nodules in a cross sectional study of male medical workers occupationally exposed to chi radiation at the Pisa hospital, in comparison with controls matched for age and sex.


METHODS
50 male medical workers exposed to radiation were randomly matched for age (+/- 2 years) with 100 male workers not occupationally exposed to ionising radiation who lived in a slightly iodine deficient area of Tuscany (Lunigiana) (control group 1), and with 100 male workers not exposed to radiation who lived in the same area (Pisa) (control group 2).


RESULTS
Of the occupationally exposed subjects, thyroid nodules were detected in 19/50 (38.0%). Among controls, thyroid nodules were detected in 19/100 subjects of control group 1 and in 13/100 of control group 2. Comparison of exposed and control groups, stratified into 30-39, 40-49, and 50-59 year old age subgroups, showed a higher significant relative risk for thyroid nodules in the exposed subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that occupational exposure to radiation may be a risk factor for thyroid nodules.
Antonelli
A
A
Institute of Clinical Medicine II, University of Pisa, Italy.
Silvano
G
G
Bianchi
F
F
Gambuzza
C
C
Tana
L
L
Salvioni
G
G
Baldi
V
V
Gasperini
L
L
Baschieri
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014463:Ultrasonography
D007455:Iodine