A case-control study of Alzheimer's disease and aluminium occupation.
BACKGROUND
We examined clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's disease patients and controls, and collected information from informants, to examine the association between Alzheimer's disease and aluminium occupation.


METHODS
An unmatched case-control study comparing 198 cases of Alzheimer's disease (ADRDA-NINCDS diagnostic criteria), to selected controls (164 other dementias and 176 nondementing group) in respect of their occupational history. The subjects included all patients referred to and seen by the first author during a 2 year study period.


RESULTS
Twenty-two of 198 patients with Alzheimer's disease (11.1%) reported having an aluminium occupation at some stage in their working life compared with 39 of 340 controls (11.5%), odds ratio 0.98, 95% Cl 0.53-1.75, P > 0.05. Aluminium workers reported to have worked in direct contact with aluminium dust and fumes did not appear to be at any greater risk than other workers who were employed at the same factory, odds ratio 1.19, 95% Cl, 0.64-4.18, P > 0.05.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence to support an association between having previously worked in an aluminium factory and the risk of Alzheimer's disease later in life.
Salib
E
E
Winwick Hospital, Warrington.
Hillier
V
V
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000535:Aluminum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors
D000535:Aluminum