2023-10-07 14:00:00
A new study suggests that exposure to low doses of radiation could increase the risk of diabetes. This research, carried out on emergency workers at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, sheds new light on the potential effects of radiation on health.
Study context
Presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Hamburg, this study was carried out by Dr Huan Hu and Dr Toshiteru Ohkubo of the Japanese National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
It involved more than 6,000 emergency workers of the 20,000 who responded to the radiation accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in March 2011, following a devastating tsunami.
Methodology and results
The study examined the association between low-dose radiation exposure and diabetes risk among 5,326 male emergency workers (mean age 46 years) participating in the Epidemiological Study of Health Effects in Fukushima Emergency Workers).
The researchers found that compared to the lowest cumulative exposure (0-4 millisieverts [mSv]), the risk of developing diabetes was 6% higher for workers exposed to 5-9 mSv, and 47% and 33% higher for those exposed to 10-19 mSv and 20-49 mSv, respectively.
However, no increased risk was detected for people exposed to radiation doses of 50 mSv or more, likely due to the small sample size in this group.
Possible explanations
Dr. Hu, lead author of the study, explains: “Our results suggest an increased risk of diabetes among nuclear emergency workers exposed to low levels of radiation. Although the potential mechanisms remain somewhat unclear, reports suggest that radiation may negatively affect the pancreatic cells responsible for insulin production, potentially contributing to diabetes. Additionally, there is an association between radiation exposure and increased inflammation, a well-known factor in insulin resistance and the development of diabetes.».
Limitations of the study
The authors emphasize that the results show observational associations rather than causal relationships and cite several limitations, including the absence of data on diabetes types, the potential risk of selection bias, and measurement inaccuracies affecting the link. between diabetes risk and radiation exposure.
Additionally, they highlight the importance of accounting for selection bias due to the participation of only 30% of emergency service workers in the NEWS study. The retrospective design also introduces factors such as information bias, which must be considered when interpreting results.
Synthetic
In conclusion, this study suggests a link between exposure to low doses of radiation and an increased risk of diabetes among Fukushima emergency workers. Although the exact mechanisms remain to be elucidated, these results highlight the importance of continued research into the long-term health effects of radiation. Researchers will continue to follow NEWS study participants to get an even clearer picture of diabetes risk from low doses of radiation.
For a better understanding
1. What is the context of this study on radiation and diabetes?
The study was led by Dr. Huan Hu and Dr. Toshiteru Ohkubo of the Japanese National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. It involves more than 6,000 emergency workers out of the 20,000 who responded to the radiation accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in March 2011, following a devastating tsunami.
2. What is the methodology used to study this association?
Researchers examined the association between low-dose radiation exposure and diabetes risk among 5,326 male emergency workers (mean age 46 years) participating in the Epidemiological Study of Health Effects in Fukushima (NEWS). Emergency Workers).
3. What are the main results of the study?
The risk of developing diabetes was 6% higher for workers exposed to 5-9 mSv, and 47% and 33% higher for those exposed to 10-19 mSv and 20-49 mSv, respectively. However, no increased risk was detected for people exposed to radiation doses of 50 mSv or more, likely due to the small sample size in this group.
4. What are the possible explanations for these results?
Radiation can negatively affect the pancreatic cells responsible for insulin production, potentially contributing to diabetes. Additionally, there is an association between radiation exposure and increased inflammation, a well-known factor in insulin resistance and the development of diabetes.
5. What are the limitations of this study?
The authors emphasize that the results show observational associations rather than causal relationships and cite several limitations, including the absence of data on diabetes types, the potential risk of selection bias, and measurement inaccuracies affecting the link. between diabetes risk and radiation exposure.
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