title: Plasma concentrations of retinol, carotene, and vitamin E and mortality in subjects with asbestosis in a cohort exposed to crocidolite in Wittenoom, Western Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to examine the relationships between plasma concentrations of retinol, carotene, and vitamin E and mortality associated with asbestosis in people previously exposed to crocidolite.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cox regression modeling was applied to examine these relationships at the first measurement of each vitamin, at the measurement at each visit, and with the rate of change of each vitamin during the follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 76 deaths of people with asbestosis during the follow-up period and 1885 subjects censored. Mortality in subjects with asbestosis was inversely related to plasma levels of retinol and Vitamin E concentrations and to their rate of increase during the follow-up. Carotene concentrations at first visit were associated with lower mortality but not during the follow up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronically low levels of these vitamins are associated with an increased risk of dying with asbestosis.
authors.affiliation: School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia. h.alfonso@curtin.edu.au
authors.forename: Helman S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Alfonso
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fritschi
authors.forename: Nicholas H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: de Klerk
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ambrosini
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beilby
authors.forename: Nola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: A William
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Musk
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017638:Asbestos, Crocidolite / Q000633:toxicity*; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A; D017638:Asbestos, Crocidolite; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids