Occupation and multiple myeloma: an occupation and industry analysis.
BACKGROUND
Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy with a poorly understood etiology. The purpose of our research was to examine the relationships between lifetime occupations and MM in a relatively large case-control study.


METHODS
MM cases (n = 180) were identified through cancer registries in the Seattle-Puget Sound area and Detroit. Population-based controls (n = 481) were identified using random digit dialing and Medicare and Medicaid Services files. In-person interviews were conducted to ascertain occupational histories. Standard occupational classification (SOC) and standard industrial classification (SIC) codes were assigned to each job held by each participant. Unconditional logistic regression was used to generate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between MM and having ever worked in each occupation/industry and according to duration of employment in an occupation/industry.


RESULTS
The risk of MM was associated with several manufacturing occupations and industries, including machine operators and tenders, not elsewhere classified (SOC 76) (OR = 1.8, CI = 1.0-3.3); textile, apparel, and furnishing machine operators and tenders (SOC 765) (OR = 6.0, CI = 1.7-21); and machinery manufacturing, except electrical (SIC 35) (OR = 3.3, CI = 1.7-6.7). Several service occupations and industries, such as food and beverage preparation (SOC 521) (OR = 2.0, CI = 1.1-3.8), were also associated with MM. One occupation that has been associated with MM in several previous studies, painters, paperhangers, and plasterers (SOC 644) was associated with a non-significantly elevated risk (OR = 3.6, CI = 0.7-19).


CONCLUSIONS
We found associations between the risk of MM and employment in several manufacturing and service-related occupations and industries.
Gold
Laura S
LS
Program in Epidemiology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. lgold@fhcrc.org
Milliken
Kevin
K
Stewart
Patricia
P
Purdue
Mark
M
Severson
Richard
R
Seixas
Noah
N
Blair
Aaron
A
Davis
Scott
S
Hartge
Patricia
P
De Roos
Anneclaire J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid; D006278:Medicare; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology