Diagnostic radiation and the risk of multiple myeloma (United States).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship between cumulative lifetime exposure to diagnostic radiation and the risk of multiple myeloma using data from a large, multi-center, population-based case-control study.


METHODS
Study subjects included a total of 540 cases with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma and 1998 frequency-matched population controls living in three areas of the United States (Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey). Information on exposure to diagnostic X-rays was obtained by personal interview.


RESULTS
No association was found between case-control status and the total number of reported diagnostic X-rays of any type (odds ratio (OR) for 20 or more compared to less than 5 X-rays = 0.9, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.7-1.2). There was no evidence of an excess risk of multiple myeloma among individuals who reported exposure to 10 or more diagnostic X-rays that impart a relatively high radiation dose to the bone marrow, as compared to individuals reporting no such exposures (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.4-1.3).


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that exposure to diagnostic X-rays has a negligible impact, if any, on risk of developing multiple myeloma.
Hatcher
J L
JL
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA. jhatcher@childtrends.org
Baris
D
D
Olshan
A F
AF
Inskip
P D
PD
Savitz
D A
DA
Swanson
G M
GM
Pottern
L M
LM
Greenberg
R S
RS
Schwartz
A G
AG
Schoenberg
J B
JB
Brown
L M
LM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors