Abstract | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It remains unclear what role environmental toxins play in sporadic motor neuron disease ( SMND) and its most common subtype, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SALS). Most previous studies of this issue have contained only small numbers of SMND cases. We sought to re-examine possible associations between toxins and SMND in a large Australian case-control study. METHODS: Questionnaire data were available from 787 patients with SMND (614 with SALS) and 778 non-related controls. Individuals were asked whether they had been exposed to metals or chemicals/ solvents at work or to herbicides/pesticides. Chi-square tests with odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for responses, and significance levels were corrected for multiple testing. RESULTS: Men were more likely to acquire SALS if they worked with metals (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.24-3.07) or chemicals/ solvents (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.46-2.61) or if they had been exposed to herbicides or pesticides (OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.30-2.39). Women who had worked with chemicals or solvents also appeared to be at increased risk of acquiring SALS (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.22-2.40). CONCLUSIONS: These results support previous reports that exposures to metals or chemicals are associated with SMND. A suggested protocol for future multinational studies of environmental toxins and SMND is presented.
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Authors | R Pamphlett |
Journal | European journal of neurology
(Eur J Neurol)
Vol. 19
Issue 10
Pg. 1343-8
(Oct 2012)
ISSN: 1468-1331 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 22642256
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | © 2012 The Author(s) European Journal of Neurology © 2012 EFNS. |
Chemical References |
- Hazardous Substances
- Metals
- Pesticides
- Solvents
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Australia
- Case-Control Studies
- Female
- Hazardous Substances
(adverse effects)
- Humans
- Male
- Metals
(adverse effects, toxicity)
- Middle Aged
- Motor Neuron Disease
(chemically induced, epidemiology)
- Occupational Exposure
(adverse effects)
- Pesticides
(adverse effects)
- Solvents
(adverse effects)
- Surveys and Questionnaires
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