Prevalence of atherosclerosis in relation to atomic bomb radiation exposure: an RERF Adult Health Study

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether exposure to atomic bomb radiation altered the prevalence of asymptomatic atherosclerosis.

Material and methods: In a cross-sectional analysis, we examined aortic arch calcification by plain chest radiography and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) by ultrasonography among 1804 survivors of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. We evaluated the association between atherosclerotic changes and radiation exposure, while adjusting for potentially confounding factors.

Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that aortic arch calcification was significantly associated with radiation exposure (p < 0.05). The odds ratio at 1 Gy was 1.30 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05 - 1.53) for men and 1.31 (95% CI: 1.13 - 1.51) for women. Carotid artery IMT did not vary significantly with radiation dose (p = 0.18).

Conclusion: Radiation dose contributed to the prevalence of aortic atherosclerosis but not carotid artery atherosclerosis in atomic bomb survivors.