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Urinary beta 2-microglobulin concentration and mortality in a cadmium-polluted area

Journal Article · · Archives of Environmental Health; (United States)

A 9-y follow-up study of 3,178 persons who lived in a cadmium-polluted area was conducted to assess the influence of environmental cadmium exposure on long-term outcome. The standardized mortality ratios of the urinary beta 2-microglobulin-positive subjects (> 1,000 micrograms/g creatinine) of both sexes were higher than those of the general Japanese population, whereas the cumulative survival curves were lower than those of the urinary beta 2-microglobulin-negative group. A significant association was also found between urinary beta 2-microglobulin and mortality, using a Cox's proportional hazards model. Moreover, mortality rates increased in proportion to increases in the amount of urinary beta 2-microglobulin excreted. These results suggest that the prognosis for cadmium-exposed subjects with proximal tubular dysfunction is unfavorable. The mortality rate tended to become higher as the severity of renal dysfunction progressed.

OSTI ID:
5604695
Journal Information:
Archives of Environmental Health; (United States), Journal Name: Archives of Environmental Health; (United States) Vol. 48:6; ISSN AEHLAU; ISSN 0003-9896
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English