Shao-Hua Xie1,2, Ignatius Tak-Sun Yu3, Lap Ah Tse1, Joseph Siu Kie Au4, June Sze Man Lau5. 1. The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 4/F, School of Public Health Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. 2. Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Insititutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. 3. The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 4/F, School of Public Health Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. iyu@cuhk.edu.hk. 4. Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. 5. Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the occupational risk factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Hong Kong Chinese. METHODS: We conducted a case-referent study with 352 incident cases and 410 referents recruited between June 2010 and December 2012. Full occupational histories were obtained via face-to-face interviews. Unconditional logistic regressions were performed to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for NPC associated with occupational risk factors. RESULTS: Workers of craft related trades and elementary occupations were at elevated NPC risk with the adjusted ORs of 2.09 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09, 4.01] and 2.14 (95% CI 1.04, 4.41), respectively, compared with those clerical support workers as the reference group. Occupational exposures to cotton dust, chemical fumes, and welding fumes were significantly associated with increased NPC risk after adjustment for confounders [adjusted ORs (95% CIs) 1.93 (1.13, 3.28), 13.11 (1.53, 112.17), and 9.18 (1.05, 80.35), respectively]. We also observed significant exposure-response relationship for the duration of exposure to cotton dust (P for trend = 0.0175). Those with occupational exposure to cotton dust for 15 years or more were at significantly increased risk of NPC (adjusted OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.01, 4.28). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that employment in craft related trades and elementary occupations, as well as occupational exposures to chemical fumes, welding fumes, and cotton dust may be associated with an increased risk of NPC. Further epidemiological studies remain warranted to clarify the roles of specific occupational risk factors on NPC development.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the occupational risk factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Hong Kong Chinese. METHODS: We conducted a case-referent study with 352 incident cases and 410 referents recruited between June 2010 and December 2012. Full occupational histories were obtained via face-to-face interviews. Unconditional logistic regressions were performed to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for NPC associated with occupational risk factors. RESULTS: Workers of craft related trades and elementary occupations were at elevated NPC risk with the adjusted ORs of 2.09 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09, 4.01] and 2.14 (95% CI 1.04, 4.41), respectively, compared with those clerical support workers as the reference group. Occupational exposures to cotton dust, chemical fumes, and welding fumes were significantly associated with increased NPC risk after adjustment for confounders [adjusted ORs (95% CIs) 1.93 (1.13, 3.28), 13.11 (1.53, 112.17), and 9.18 (1.05, 80.35), respectively]. We also observed significant exposure-response relationship for the duration of exposure to cotton dust (P for trend = 0.0175). Those with occupational exposure to cotton dust for 15 years or more were at significantly increased risk of NPC (adjusted OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.01, 4.28). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that employment in craft related trades and elementary occupations, as well as occupational exposures to chemical fumes, welding fumes, and cotton dust may be associated with an increased risk of NPC. Further epidemiological studies remain warranted to clarify the roles of specific occupational risk factors on NPC development.
Authors: Shao-Hua Xie; Ignatius Tak-sun Yu; Lap Ah Tse; Joseph Siu Kie Au; Feng Wang; June Sze Man Lau; Bo Zhang Journal: Environ Mol Mutagen Date: 2014-08-14 Impact factor: 3.216
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