Radiation biology. Radioecology
ISSN: 0869-8031

Archives → 2021 → V. 61. №2. → pp. 133–143

Article

Hypertension Incidence Risk in a Cohort of “Mayak” PA Workers Exposed to Radiation over Prolonged Periods

T. V. Azizova, K. V. Briks, M. V. Bannikova, and E. S. Grigoryeva

Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Ozyorsk, Russia

Abstract

Objective – to assess hypertension (ICD-9 codes 401–404 or ICD-10 codes I10–I13) incidence risk in a cohort of workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation over prolonged periods. The hypertension incidence risk was analyzed in a cohort of workers of the nuclear production facility Mayak Production Association (PA) (22377 individuals) who had been chronically exposed to external γ- and internal α-radiation. Mean cumulative liver absorbed doses from external γ-rays were 0.45 ± 0.65 Gy in males and 0.37 ± 0.56 Gy in females, whereas doses from internal α-particles were 0.23 ± 0.65 and 0.44 ± 1.93 Gy in males and females, respectively. An excess relative risk per unit dose (ERR/Gy) was calculated based on Poisson regression analysis. The excess relative risk (ERR), i.e. risk minus 1, was described as a linear trend with external and internal radiation exposure doses including adjustments for non-radiation factors (sex, attained age, calendar period, smoking status, alcohol consumption). As of the end of the follow-up period, 8425 hypertension cases were verified in the cohort (5745 cases (68.2%) in males and 2680 cases (31.8%) in females). Hypertension incidence was found to be significantly linearly associated with cumulative liver absorbed dose from external γ-rays: ERR/Gy = 0.14 (95% CI 0.09; 0.20). No significant association of hypertension incidence with cumulative liver absorbed dose from internal α-particles was found: ERR/Gy = –0.01 (95% CI non-available; 0.05). Hypertension incidence risk in the study cohort was higher compared to the Japanese cohort of atomic bomb survivors (AHS [Adult Health Study]) but lower compared to Chernobyl clean-up workers.

Keywords

risk, incidence, hypertension, occupational radiation exposure, “Mayak” worker cohort