Severe Cognitive Dysfunction and Occupational Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field Exposure among Elderly Mexican Americans.
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Date
2014-03-11
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Abstract
Aims: This report is the first study of the possible relationship between extremely low
frequency (50-60 Hz, ELF) magnetic field (MF) exposure and severe cognitive
dysfunction. Earlier studies investigated the relationships between MF occupational
exposure and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or dementia. These studies had mixed results,
depending upon whether the diagnosis of AD or dementia was performed by experts and
upon the methodology used to classify MF exposure. Study Design: Population-based case-control.
Place and Duration of Study: Neurology and Preventive Medicine, Keck School of
Medicine, University of Southern California, 2 years.
Methodology: The study population consisted of 3050 Mexican Americans, aged 65+,
enrolled in Phase 1 of the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study
of the Elderly (H-EPESE) study. Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) results, primary
occupational history, and other data were collected. Severe cognitive dysfunction was
defined as an MMSE score below 10. The MF exposure methodology developed and
used in earlier studies was used.
Results: Univariate odds ratios (OR) were 3.4 (P< .03; 95% CI: 1.3-8.9) for high and 1.7
(P=.27; 95% CI: 0.7-4.1) for medium or high (M/H) MF occupations. In multivariate main
effects models, the results were similar. When interaction terms were allowed in the
models, the interactions between M/H or high occupational MF exposure and smoking
history or age group were statistically significant, depending upon whether two (65-74,
75+) or three (65-74, 75-84, 85+) age groups were considered, respectively. When the
analyses were limited to subjects aged 75+, the interactions between M/H or high MF
occupations and a positive smoking history were statistically significant.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that working in an occupation with high or
M/H MF exposure may increase the risk of severe cognitive dysfunction. Smoking and
older age may increase the deleterious effect of MF exposure.
Description
Keywords
Severe Cognitive Dysfunction, Dementia, Occupational Exposure, Exposure; Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields, Elderly Mexican Americans, Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (H-EPESE), Mini-Mental State Exam
Citation
Davanipour Zoreh, Tseng Chiu-Chen, Lee Pey-Jiuan, Markides Kyriakos S, Sobel Eugene. Severe Cognitive Dysfunction and Occupational Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field Exposure among Elderly Mexican Americans. British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research. 2014 Mar; 4(8): 1641-1662.