Occupation and multiple myeloma: An occupation and industry analysis

Abstract

Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy with a poorly understood etiology. The purpose of our research was to examine 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.

Risk of multiple myeloma in a case–spouse study

“…For occupation, we found increased risks for nurse/health practitioners and production workers who work in a variety of environments processing products or services and perform such tasks as shipping, assembling, sorting, testing and inspecting. A population-based case-control study using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registries in Seattle-Puget sound and Detroit reported a borderline significant 2-fold risk for registered nurses (SOC = 29) and increased, although non-significant, risks for precision production (SOC = 68) and plant and system operators (SOC = 69) [36]. A previous study of cancer mortality among female healthcare workers found a significant 1.3-fold mortality for multiple myeloma among black nurses, but a null association among white nurses [37].…”

Epidemiology of Multiple Myeloma

“…To facilitate international comparisons of occupational statistics, the definitions of all groups of occupations should be standardized [77]. The risk of MM has been associated with several manufacturing occupations and industries [78], such as machine operators and tenders, textile, food and beverage preparation, bakers and pastry cooks [79], printing and cleaning [80], hairdressers [81], and others. A meta-analysis including 5 cohort studies and 13 case-control studies on occupational exposure to dichloromethane, a widespread used solvent, showed an excess risk of MM [82].…”

Genetics and molecular epidemiology of multiple myeloma: The rationale for the IMMEnSE consortium (Review)

“…A number of cohort and case-control studies have also described a positive relationship between MM and patients either with autoimmune diseases (37,38) or viral infections (39)(40)(41). Many other studies have investigated the relationship between exposure to toxins and increased risk of MM, with controversial results (42)(43)(44)(45)(46). While some studies have shown that exposures to pesticides (47)(48)(49), organic solvents (50), hairdresser's products (51), rubber (52) are associated with an increased risk of MM, other studies have not found a significant relationship (48,(53)(54)(55).…”