Solvent exposed occupations and risk of Parkinson disease in Finland

Authors

Susan Searles Nielsen, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Department of Neurology, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Mark N. Warden, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Department of Neurology, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Markku Sallmén, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, PO Box 18, FI-00032 Tyoterveyslaitos, Arinatie 3 A, 00370 Helsinki, Finland.
Markku Sainio, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, PO Box 18, FI-00032 Tyoterveyslaitos, Arinatie 3 A, 00370 Helsinki, Finland.
Sanni Uuksulainen, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, PO Box 18, FI-00032 Tyoterveyslaitos, Arinatie 3 A, 00370 Helsinki, Finland.
Harvey Checkoway, University of California, San Diego, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
Christer Hublin, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, PO Box 18, FI-00032 Tyoterveyslaitos, Arinatie 3 A, 00370 Helsinki, Finland.
Brad A. Racette, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Department of Neurology, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Introduction: Epidemiologic and toxicology studies suggest that exposure to various solvents, especially chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents, might increase Parkinson disease (PD) risk. Methods: In a population-based case-control study in Finland, we examined whether occupations with potential for solvent exposures were associated with PD. We identified newly diagnosed cases age 45-84 from a nationwide medication reimbursement register in 1995-2014. From the population register, we randomly selected non-PD controls matched on sex, along with birth and diagnosis years (age). We included 11,757 cases and 23,236 controls with an occupation in the 1990 census, corresponding to age 40-60. We focused on 28 occupations with ≥ 5% probability of solvent exposure according to the Finnish Job Exposure Matrix. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by logistic regression modeling, adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and smoking probability. Results: Similar proportions of cases (5.5%) and controls (5.6%) had an occupation with potential exposure to any solvents. However, all occupations with a point estimate above one, and all significantly or marginally significantly associated with PD (electronic/telecommunications worker [OR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.05-2.50], laboratory assistant [OR = 1.40, 95% CI 0.98-1.99], and machine/engine mechanic [OR = 1.23, 95% CI 0.99-1.52]) entailed potential for exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents, specifically. Secondary analyses indicated exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and some metals might contribute to the association for mechanics. Conclusion: PD risk might be slightly increased in occupations with potential exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents. Confirmation is required in additional studies that adjust for other occupational exposures and smoking.

Publication Date

1-1-2021

Publication Title

Clinical parkinsonism & related disorders

E-ISSN

2590-1125

Volume

4

First Page

100092

PubMed ID

34316670

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.prdoa.2021.100092

Recommended Citation

Nielsen, Susan Searles; Warden, Mark N.; Sallmén, Markku; Sainio, Markku; Uuksulainen, Sanni; Checkoway, Harvey; Hublin, Christer; and Racette, Brad A., "Solvent exposed occupations and risk of Parkinson disease in Finland" (2021). Neurology. 1181.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurology/1181