Risk factors for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: a case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the potential risk factors for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (VCJD) in the United Kingdom.


METHODS
Definite and probable vCJD cases (n = 136) were residing in Great Britain at disease onset, and were referred between May 1995 and November 2003. Control subjects (n = 922) were recruited between 2002 and 2003, from 100 randomly selected geographical clusters sampled to represent the geographical distribution of vCJD.


RESULTS
Reported frequent consumption of beef and beef products thought likely to contain mechanically recovered or head meat, or both, including burgers and meat pies, was associated with increased risk for vCJD, as was reported frequent chicken consumption. Surgical operations were generally similarly reported for cases and control subjects, with the exception of a small group of minor operations, possibly attributable to underreporting in control subjects. Cases and control subjects had similar reported occupational histories and exposure to animals.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings are consistent with dietary exposure to contaminated beef products being the main route of infection of vCJD, but recall bias cannot be excluded. There was no convincing evidence of increased risk through medical, surgical, or occupational exposure or exposure to animals.
Ward
Hester J T
HJ
National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance Unit, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK. h.ward@ed.ac.uk
Everington
Dawn
D
Cousens
Simon N
SN
Smith-Bathgate
Blaire
B
Leitch
Margaret
M
Cooper
Sarah
S
Heath
Craig
C
Knight
Richard S G
RS
Smith
Peter G
PG
Will
Robert G
RG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002417:Cattle; D002648:Child; D007562:Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology