Prevalence of Sjogren syndrome among Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Through a comprehensive epidemiological study, we determined Sjögren syndrome (SS) prevalence and examined the association between SS and ionising radiation dose.

METHODS:

A total of 1008 atomic bomb survivors in Nagasaki agreed to undergo the tests comprising a questionnaire for xerophthalmia and xerostomia, Schirmer-I test, Saxon test, and tests of anti-SS-A/Ro and anti-SS-B/La antibodies, and, if necessary, Rose Bengal stain test, salivary ultrasonographic and MRI examination from November 2002 through October 2004. Diagnosis of SS was based on the American-European Consensus Group criteria, or a modified version thereof.

RESULTS:

Among the 1008 participants (male 398, female 610, average age 71.6 years), 154 participants (15.3%) complained of xerophthalmia, and 264 (26.2%) of xerostomia. Reduced tear flow as assessed by the Schirmer-I test was detected in 371 of 992 participants (37.4%) and reduced saliva flow as assessed by the Saxon test in 203 of 993 participants (20.4%). Among all participants, 38 (3.8%) and 10 (1.0%) participants tested positive for anti-SS-A/Ro and anti-SS-B/La antibodies, respectively. Taking into consideration all the results, 23 participants were diagnosed with SS (primary 20, secondary 3), yielding a prevalence of 2.3%. Although the association between SS and radiation dose was not significant, radiation dose was significantly associated with hyposalivation.

CONCLUSIONS:

The present comprehensive epidemiological study reveals that the prevalence of SS was 2.3% among Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors and was not associated with radiation dose. The association between radiation dose and hyposalivation supported the possibility that radiation exposure damaged salivary gland function.

• Authors: A Hida, M Akahoshi, Y Takagi, K Ashizawa, M Imaizumi, M Soda, R Maeda, E Nakashima, H Ida, A Kawakami, T Nakamura, K Eguchi
• Journal: Annals of the rheumatic diseases (Ann Rheum Dis) Vol. 67 Issue 5 Pg. 689-95 (May 2008) ISSN: 1468-2060 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 17905783 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Autoantibodies
• Autoantigens
• Ribonucleoproteins
• SS-A antigen
• SS-B antigen

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Autoantibodies (analysis)
• Autoantigens (immunology)
• Female
• Humans
• Japan (epidemiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nuclear Warfare
• Prevalence
• Radiation Dosage
• Ribonucleoproteins (immunology)
• Salivary Glands (radiation effects)
• Sjogren's Syndrome (epidemiology)
• Survivors
• Xerophthalmia (epidemiology)
• Xerostomia (epidemiology)