Researchers at Fukushima Medical University Target Epidemiology (External Radiation Dose, Obesity, and Risk of Childhood Thyroid Cancer After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident: the Fukushima Health Management Survey)

2019 OCT 31 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- Fresh data on Health and Disease - Epidemiology are presented in a new report. According to news reporting originating from Fukushima, Japan, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake led to a nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. This study examines the associations of radiation dose and lifestyle factors with incidence of thyroid cancer in Fukushima.”

Financial support for this research came from National Health Fund for Children and Adults.

Our news editors obtained a quote from the research from Fukushima Medical University, “We designed a prospective study with 300,473 participants aged 18 years or younger, who underwent thyroid examinations from October 2011. Follow-up surveys were conducted through June 2017, and 245,530 participants (123,480 men and 122,050 women, 82% follow-up) received follow-up examinations. Fukushima Prefecture was divided into five areas based on individual external radiation dose. We calculated relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for thyroid cancer in each area, with area of lowest dose as reference, using age-adjusted Poisson regression models. We also calculated risks associated with overweight and obesity. The incidence per 100,000 for Groups A (highest dose), B, C, D, and E (lowest dose) were 13.5, 19.2, 17.3, 9.0, and 8.3, respectively. Compared with Group E, the age-adjusted risks (95% CIs) were 1.62 (0.59, 4.47) for group A, 2.32 (0.86, 6.24) for group B, 2.21 (0.82, 5.94) for group C, and 1.02 (0.36, 2.86) for group D. Obesity was positively associated with thyroid cancer incidence; the multivariable-adjusted risk of thyroid cancer was 2.23 (1.01, 4.90) for obese individuals compared with nonobese individuals. Regional differences in radiation dose were not associated with increased risk of thyroid cancer among children in Fukushima within 4 to 6 years after the nuclear power plant accident.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Obesity may be an important factor for further follow-up in Fukushima.”

For more information on this research see: External Radiation Dose, Obesity, and Risk of Childhood Thyroid Cancer After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident: the Fukushima Health Management Survey. Epidemiology, 2019;30(6):853-860. Epidemiology can be contacted at: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Two Commerce Sq, 2001 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA. (Lippincott Williams and Wilkins - www.lww.com; Epidemiology - http://journals.lww.com/epidem/pages/default.aspx)

The news editors report that additional information may be obtained by contacting T. Ohira, Fukushima Medical University, Radiat Med Sci Ctr, Fukushima Hlth Management Surv, Fukushima, Japan. Additional authors for this research include A. Ohtsuru, S. Midorikawa, H. Takahashi, S. Yasumura, S. Suzuki, T. Matsuzuka, H. Shimura, T. Ishikawa, A. Sakai, S. Yamashita, S. Yokoya, K. Tanigawa, H. Ohto and K. Kamiya.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.1097/EDE.0000000000001058. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

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