Cerebrovascular Incidence and Death Rates in a Cohort of Workers Occupationally Exposed to Radiation

Abstract

Purpose: Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) incidence and mortality rates were estimated in the cohort of nuclear workers occupationally exposed to radiation over a long period at the Mayak PA. Material and methods: Study cohort included 22377 workers (25 % females) of the Mayak Production Association employed during 1948–1982 and was based on “Clinic” medical dosimetry database and “Dosimetry system for Mayak workers 2008”. Statistica 6.0 software was used for statistical treatment and data analysis. Intensive (crude) and standardised incidence and mortality rates were calculated per 100 000 workers. Results: Number of cases and deaths from CVD were 8910 and 930 respectively. The greatest number of CVD cases (84 % of males and 87 % of females) was among workers of 50–69 years old, and the greatest number of CVD deaths (85 % of males and 94 % of females) was among workers of 60 years old and older. Conclusion: The present study showed that CVD incidence and mortality in the studied cohort of the Mayak nuclear workers occupationally exposed to radiation depended on the gender, age and calendar period. Statistically significant decreasing trends in CVD incidence and mortality over 1948–2013 period were not revealed.