Risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance: A case-referent study

Abstract

A retrospective study was conducted in 285 cases of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and in 570 sex- and age-matched hospital controls in order to investigate the possible association between socioeconomic status, residence, alcohol and tobacco habits, occupation, occupational exposure to toxic substances, chronic antigenic stimulation, and risk of MGUS. Significant associations with the risk of MGUS were found for farmers (P < 0.005) and for workers in industry (P < 0.025). Occupational exposure to asbestos, fertilizers, mineral oils and petroleum, paints and related products, pesticides, and radiation was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with an increase in risk of MGUS. Chronic immune-stimulating conditions, when considered as a group, presented a significant (P < 0.025) association with the risk of MGUS, but no specific disease has been found to be significantly associated. These data are in agreement with the previous reports on multiple myeloma, suggesting that these factors may play an important role in the development of monoclonal gammopathies. However, these findings need to be confirmed in prospective larger population-based studies.

Prevalence of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance: A Systematic Review

“…39 Occupational exposure to asbestos, aromatic hydrocarbons, fertilizers, mineral oils and petroleum, paints and related products, pesticides, and radiation is also significantly associated with an increased risk of MGUS. 40,41 A link also exists between heavy tobacco smoking and various hematologic conditions, including MGUS. 42,43 familial cluSterinG Several small-scale reports suggest that, in some cases, familial predisposition to MGUS may be increased.…”

“…Furthermore, prevalence could be underestimated because an older, less sensitive electrophoretic method was used in this investigation. 40,41 Table 6 also includes data from investigations that compared the prevalence of MGUS in different racial groups and met the criteria previously specified in the Methods section. 18,22 Effect of Sex and Sex-Specific Prevalence Rates.…”

“…30,31,33,35,38 Exposure to toxins, including asbestos, fertilizers, and pesticides, appears to increase the likelihood of developing MGUS. 40,41 Finally, first-degree relatives of those affected by MGUS are at a 3-fold higher risk of having the disease, raising the possibility of shared genetic or environmental factors. 48 dISCUSSIOn MGUS falls under an overarching group of plasma cell disorders known as monoclonal gammopathies (or paraproteinemias).…”

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in atomic bomb survivors: incidence and transformation to multiple myeloma

“…Factors associated with the development of MGUS are race (Bergsagel, 1995) and occupation (agents include asbestos, fertilizers, mineral oils, pesticides and radiation) (Pasqualetti et al, 1996). MGUS is associated with chronic immune-stimulating conditions (Pasqualetti et al, 1996) and B cell-related immune impairment, and people with MGUS are at increased risk of bacteraemia (Gregersen et al, 1998) and peripheral neuropathy (Kissel & Mendell, 1996;Vallat et al, 1996).…”

“…MGUS is associated with chronic immune-stimulating conditions (Pasqualetti et al, 1996) and B cell-related immune impairment, and people with MGUS are at increased risk of bacteraemia (Gregersen et al, 1998) and peripheral neuropathy (Kissel & Mendell, 1996;Vallat et al, 1996). Within 20-35 years of onset, a quarter of MGUS patients develop lymphoid malignancies such as MM, immunoglobulin (Ig)M lymphoma, primary amyloidosis, macroglobulinaemia and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (Kyle et al, 2002).…”