Prevalence of atherosclerosis in relation to atomic bomb radiation exposure: an RERF Adult Health Study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether exposure to atomic bomb radiation altered the prevalence of asymptomatic atherosclerosis.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional analysis, we examined aortic arch calcification by plain chest radiography and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) by ultrasonography among 1804 survivors of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. We evaluated the association between atherosclerotic changes and radiation exposure, while adjusting for potentially confounding factors.


RESULTS
Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that aortic arch calcification was significantly associated with radiation exposure (p < 0.05). The odds ratio at 1 Gy was 1.30 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05 - 1.53) for men and 1.31 (95% CI: 1.13 - 1.51) for women. Carotid artery IMT did not vary significantly with radiation dose (p = 0.18).


CONCLUSIONS
Radiation dose contributed to the prevalence of aortic atherosclerosis but not carotid artery atherosclerosis in atomic bomb survivors.
Yamada
Michiko
M
Department of Clinical Studies, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan. yamada@rerf.or.jp
Naito
Kumiko
K
Kasagi
Fumiyoshi
F
Masunari
Naomi
N
Suzuki
Gen
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001822:Body Burden; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009689:Nuclear Warfare; D015995:Prevalence; D011847:Radioactive Fallout / Q000032:analysis*; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D017741:Survivors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D011847:Radioactive Fallout