scholarly journals Is Chronic Exposure to Raw Water a Possible Risk Factor for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis? A Pilot Case-Control Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Stipa ◽  
Antonio Ancidoni ◽  
Monica Mazzola ◽  
Emanuela Testai ◽  
Enzo Funari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Pesticide Exposure ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Raw Water ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Tight Association ◽  
Control Study ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Background: The etiopathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is still largely unknown. Methods: We performed a case-control study (33 cases and 35 controls) in Umbria, Italy. We investigated associations between common lifestyle, clinical factors, as well as environmental exposures potentially implicated with ALS onset. Face-to-face interviews were carried out. All cases were recruited and diagnosed according to El Escorial criteria. Case-control comparisons were made for educational and residential status, occupational exposures, and clinical and lifestyle factors prior to cases’ dates of diagnosis. Results: Our results showed an increased risk of ALS for subjects chronically exposed to raw water use (odds ratio (OR) = 6.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.24–19.12). Garden activities showed a tight association with ALS as well, very likely as a consequence of chronic raw water exposure. Indeed, we could exclude an impact for pesticides, as no significant differences were observed in pesticide exposure in the two groups interviewed. However, cases were more often exposed to fertilizers. After adjustment for age, sex, and heavy physical activities, exposure to raw water was still associated with increased ALS risk (OR = 4.74, 95% CI: 1.33–16.85). Discussion: These findings suggest an association between ALS and exposure to raw water, which should be further investigated for the presence of chemicals interfering with nervous system functionality.

scholarly journals Clinical and Lifestyle Factors and Risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Population-Based Case-Control Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 857 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommaso Filippini ◽  
Maria Fiore ◽  
Marina Tesauro ◽  
Carlotta Malagoli ◽  
Michela Consonni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Control Study ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease of the motor neurons. The etiology of ALS remains largely unknown, particularly with reference to the potential environmental determinants. Methods: We performed a population-based case-control study in four provinces from both Northern and Southern Italy in order to assess non-genetic ALS risk factors by collecting through tailored questionnaires information about clinical and lifestyle factors. We estimated ALS risk by calculating odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) using unconditional logistic regression models adjusted for sex, age and educational attainment. Results: We recruited 230 participants (95 cases and 135 controls). We found a possible positive association of ALS risk with trauma, particularly head trauma (OR = 2.61, 95% CI 1.19–5.72), electric shock (OR = 2.09, 95% CI 0.62–7.06), and some sports, although at a competitive level only. In addition, our results suggest an increased risk for subjects reporting use of private wells for drinking water (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 0.73–2.27) and for use of herbicides during gardening (OR = 1.95, 95% CI 0.88–2.27). Conversely, there was a suggestion of an inverse association with overall fish consumption (OR = 0.27, 95% CI 0.12–0.60), but with no dose-response relation. Consumption of some dietary supplements, namely those containing amino acids and, in the Southern Italy population, vitamins and minerals such as selenium, seemed associated with a statistically imprecise increased risk. Conclusions: Our results suggest a potential etiologic role a number of clinical and lifestyle factors with ALS risk. However, caution is needed due to some study limitations. These include the small sample size and the low number of exposed subjects, which affect statistical precision of risk estimates, the potential for exposure misclassification, and the uncertainties about mechanisms underpinning the possible association between these factors and disease risk.

scholarly journals Occupational Exposures and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. A Population-based Case-Control Study

1997 ◽  
Vol 145 (12) ◽  
pp. 1076-1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. McGuire ◽  
W. T. Longstreth ◽  
L. M. Nelson ◽  
T. D. Koepsell ◽  
H. Checkoway ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Control Study ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

scholarly journals Environmental and Occupational Risk Factors of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Population-Based Case-Control Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 2882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommaso Filippini ◽  
Marina Tesauro ◽  
Maria Fiore ◽  
Carlotta Malagoli ◽  
Michela Consonni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Environmental Exposure ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Occupational Factors ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Control Study ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Objectives: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease with still unknown etiology. We aimed at investigating the association between environmental and occupational factors with ALS risk. Methods: We performed a population-based case-control study in four Italian provinces (Catania, Modena, Novara, and Reggio Emilia) by administration of tailored questionnaires to ALS cases (n = 95) and randomly selected population referents (n = 135). We estimated ALS risk by calculating the odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) using an unconditional logistic regression model. Results: We found a positive association with disease risk for history of occupation in the agricultural sector (OR = 2.09, 95% CI 0.79–7.54), especially for longer than 10 years (OR = 2.72, 95% 1.02–7.20). Overall occupational exposure to solvents also suggested a positive association, especially for thinners (OR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.14–4.54) and paint removers (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 0.90–4.48). Both occupational and environmental exposure to electromagnetic fields show a slightly increased risk with OR = 1.69 (95% CI 0.70–4.09) and 2.41 (95% CI 1.13–5.12), respectively. Occupational but not environmental exposure to pesticides (OR = 1.22, 95% CI 0.63–2.37), particularly fungicides, and exposure to metals (OR = 4.20, 95% CI 1.88–9.38), particularly lead, mercury, and selenium, showed an imprecise but positive association. Finally, there was an indication of increased risk for living in proximity to water bodies. Conclusions: Despite the caution that needs to be used due to some study limitations, such as the low number of exposed subjects and the possibility of recall bias, these results suggest the potential role of some environmental and occupational factors in ALS etiology.

scholarly journals Multicentre, population-based, case–control study of particulates, combustion products and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis risk

2019 ◽  
Vol 90 (8) ◽  
pp. 854-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne E Visser ◽  
Fabrizio D'Ovidio ◽  
Susan Peters ◽  
Roel CH Vermeulen ◽  
Ettore Beghi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Combustion Products ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Organic Dust ◽  
Control Study ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Motor Exhaust

ObjectiveTo investigate whether exposure to particulates and combustion products may explain the association between certain occupations and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) risk in a large, multicentre, population-based, case–control study, based on full job histories, using job-exposure matrices, with detailed information on possible confounders.MethodsPopulation-based patients with ALS and controls were recruited from five registries in the Netherlands, Ireland and Italy. Demographics and data regarding educational level, smoking, alcohol habits and lifetime occupational history were obtained using a validated questionnaire. Using job-exposure matrices, we assessed occupational exposure to silica, asbestos, organic dust, contact with animals or fresh animal products, endotoxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and diesel motor exhaust. Multivariate logistic regression models adjusting for confounding factors were used to determine the association between these exposures and ALS risk.ResultsWe included 1557 patients and 2922 controls. Associations were positive for all seven occupational exposures (ORs ranging from 1.13 to 1.73 for high vs never exposed), and significant on the continuous scale for silica, organic dust and diesel motor exhaust (p values for trend ≤0.03). Additional analyses, adding an exposure (one at a time) to the model in the single exposure analysis, revealed a stable OR for silica. We found similar results when patients with a C9orf72 mutation were excluded.ConclusionIn a large, multicentre study, using harmonised methodology to objectively quantify occupational exposure to particulates and combustion products, we found an association between ALS risk and exposure to silica, independent of the other occupational exposures studied.

Association between alcohol exposure and the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the Euro-MOTOR study

2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrizio D'Ovidio ◽  
James P K Rooney ◽  
Anne E Visser ◽  
Umberto Manera ◽  
Ettore Beghi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Red Wine ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Control Study ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

ObjectivesSeveral studies focused on the association between alcohol consumption and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), although with inconsistent findings. Antioxidants may play a role since lyophilised red wine was found to prolong SOD1 mice lifespan. The aim of this international population-based case–control study performed in Ireland, The Netherlands and Italy was to assess the role of alcohol, and red wine in particular, in developing ALS.MethodsEuro-MOTOR is a case–control study where patients with incident ALS and controls matched for gender, age and area of residency were recruited in a population-based design. Logistic regression models adjusted for sex, age, cohort, education, leisure time physical activity, smoking, heart problems, hypertension, stroke, cholesterol and diabetes were performed.Results1557 patients with ALS and 2922 controls were enrolled in the study. Exposure to alcohol drinking was not significantly associated with ALS risk. A stratified analysis of exposure to alcohol by cohort revealed significant ORs in The Netherlands and in Apulia, with opposite directions (respectively 0.68 and 2.38). With regard to red wine consumption, only in Apulia the double-fold increased risk (OR 2.53) remained significant. A decreased risk was found for current alcohol drinkers (OR 0.83), while a significantly increased risk was detected among former drinkers (OR 1.63). Analysis of cumulative exposure to alcohol revealed no significant associations with ALS risk.ConclusionWith few exceptions, no significant association was found between alcohol consumption and ALS. The study of the association between alcohol and ALS requires a thorough exploration, especially considering the role of different type of alcoholic beverages.

scholarly journals Adult mortality from leukemia, brain cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and magnetic fields from power lines: a case-control study in Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 580-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izabel Marcilio ◽  
Nelson Gouveia ◽  
Mário Leite Pereira Filho ◽  
Leeka Kheifets
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Transmission Lines ◽  
Brain Cancer ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Adult Mortality ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Power Lines ◽  
Control Study ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Recent publications renewed interest in assessing potential health risks for subjects living close to transmission lines. This study aimed at evaluating the association of both distance of home address to the nearest overhead transmission line and of the calculated magnetic fields from the power lines and mortality from leukemia, brain cancer, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We carried out a death certificate based case-control study accessing adult mortality in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, in Brazil. Analysis included 1,857 cases of leukemia, 2,357 of brain cancer, 367 of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and 4,706 as controls. An increased risk for mortality from leukemia among adults living at closer distances to transmission lines compared to those living further then 400 m was found. Risk was higher for subjects that lived within 50 m from power lines (OR=1.47; 95% CI=0.99-2.18). Similarly, a small increase in leukemia mortality was observed among adults living in houses with higher calculated magnetic fields (OR=1.61; 95% CI=0.91-2.86 for those exposed to magnetic fields >0.3 µT). No increase was seen for brain tumours or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Our findings are suggestive of a higher risk for leukemia among subjects living closer to transmission lines, and for those living at homes with higher calculated magnetic fields, although the risk was limited to lower voltage lines.

scholarly journals Bladder cancer and occupational exposure to metalworking fluid mist: a counter-matched case–control study in French steel-producing factories

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 328-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Régis Colin ◽  
Michel Grzebyk ◽  
Pascal Wild ◽  
Guy Hédelin ◽  
Ève Bourgkard
Keyword(s):  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Metalworking Fluids ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
Cancer Case ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Control Study

ObjectivesTo assess the relationship between occupational exposure to metalworking fluids (MWFs) in the steel-producing industry and bladder cancer incidence.MethodsA nested case–control study on bladder cancer was set up in a cohort of workers from six French steel-producing factories. Three controls were randomly selected for each incident bladder cancer case diagnosed from 2006 to 2012. Controls were matched to cases on age at diagnosis and counter-matched on a surrogate measure of exposure to MWFs derived from a job-exposure matrix. Cases (n=84) and controls (n=251) were face-to-face interviewed. Experts assessed occupational exposure to MWFs (straight, soluble and synthetic) using questionnaires and reports from factory visits. Occupational exposures were based on three metrics: duration, frequency-weighted duration and cumulative exposure index. Conditional multiple logistic regressions were used to determine ORs and 95% CIs, taking non-occupational and occupational exposure into account.ResultsIn the 25 years before diagnosis, ORs increased significantly with duration of exposure to straight MWFs (OR=1.13 (1.02–1.25)) and increased with frequency-weighted duration of exposure to straight MWFs (OR=1.44 (0.97–2.14)). These results remained valid after adjusting for duration of smoking, average number of cigarettes smoked per day, time since smoking cessation and exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). ORs also increased with soluble MWFs but not significantly. No significant association was found with older exposures to MWFs or with exposure to synthetic MWFs.ConclusionThe increased risk of bladder cancer observed among workers exposed to straight MWFs and to a lesser extent to soluble MWFs may be explained by the presence of carcinogens (such as PAH) in mineral oils component of straight and soluble oils. Prevention therefore remains necessary in sectors using MWFs.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document