Is occupationally induced exposure to radiation a risk factor of thyroid nodule formation?
The prevalence of thyroid nodules was studied with ultrasonography in a group of male hospital workers (n = 44) who had been exposed occupationally to x-rays. This group was compared with a group of nonexposed workers (n = 88) who were age- and sex-matched with the exposed workers. Thyroid nodules were detected in 18 (41%) of the exposed workers, compared with 11 (13%) of the nonexposed controls. Both groups were subdivided with respect to age (i.e., 30-39 y, 40-49 y, 50-59 y), and there was a higher and significant relative risk for thyroid nodule formation in the exposed group. We also divided the groups into subgroups according to levels of exposure (i.e., nonexposed, exposed for < 20 y, and exposed for > 20 y), and a significant result was obtained with the linear-trend chi-square test. The preliminary results of our study suggest that occupationally induced exposure to radiation may be a risk factor for thyroid nodule formation.
Antonelli
A
A
Institute of Clinical Medicine II, University of Pisa, Italy.
Silvano
G
G
Gambuzza
C
C
Bianchi
F
F
Tana
L
L
Baschieri
L
L
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011871:Radiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014965:X-Rays / Q000009:adverse effects