Adult myeloid leukaemia and radon exposure: a Bayesian model for a case-control study with error in covariates.
The possible association between radon exposure in dwellings and adult myeloid leukaemia had been explored in an Italian province by a case-control study. A total of 44 cases and 211 controls were selected from death certificates file. No association had been found in the original study (OR = 0.58 for > 185 vs 80 < or = Bq/cm). Here we reanalyse the data taking into account the measurement error of radon concentration and the presence of missing data. A Bayesian hierarchical model with error in covariates is proposed which allows appropriate imputation of missing values. The general conclusion of no evidence of association with radon does not change, but a negative association is not observed anymore (OR = 0.99 for > 185 vs 80 < or = Bq/cm). After adjusting for residential house radon and gamma radiation, and for the multilevel data structure, geological features of the soil is associated with adult myeloid leukaemia risk (OR = 2.14, 95 per cent Cr.I. 1.0-5.5).
Toti
Simona
S
Department of Statistics, Florence, Italy. toti@ds.unifi.it
Biggeri
Annibale
A
Forastiere
Francesco
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011886:Radon / Q000009:adverse effects*
D011886:Radon