Spatial distribution of kidney disease in the contaminated site of Taranto (Italy)

• Published in: American journal of industrial medicine Vol. 60; no. 12; pp. 1088 - 1099
• Main Authors: Benedetti, Marta, De Santis, Marco, Manno, Valerio, Minerba, Sante, Mincuzzi, Antonella, Morabito, Angela, Panocchia, Nicola, Soggiu, Maria Eleonora, Tanzarella, Annalisa, Pastore, Tiziano, Bossola, Maurizio, Giua, Roberto, Leogrande, Simona, Nocioni, Alessandra, Conti, Susanna, Comba, Pietro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.12.2017
• Subjects: Adult; Age Distribution; Cadmium; Cadmium - adverse effects; Cadmium - analysis; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Environmental Exposure - analysis; Epidemiology; Exposure; Female; Females; Heavy metals; Hospitalization; Hospitalization - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Industry; Italy - epidemiology; Kidney diseases; Kidney Diseases - chemically induced; Kidney Diseases - epidemiology; Kidney transplantation; Male; Males; Metallurgy; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Middle Aged; Occupational exposure; Particulate matter; Particulate Matter - adverse effects; Particulate Matter - analysis; Power Plants; Sex Distribution; Spatial distribution; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0271-3586; 1097-0274
• DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22781

Background Exposure to heavy metals has been associated with kidney disease. We investigated the spatial distribution of kidney disease in the industrially contaminated site of Taranto. Methods Cases were subjects with a first hospital discharge diagnosis of kidney disease. Cases affected by specific comorbidities were excluded. Standardized Hospitalization Ratios (SHRs) were computed for low/high exposure area and for modeled spatial distribution of cadmium and fine particulate matter. Result Using the high/low exposure approach, in subjects aged 20‐59 years residing in the high exposure area a significant excess of hospitalization was observed in males and a non‐significant excess in females. No excesses were observed in subjects aged 60 years and over. The analysis by the modeling approach did not show a significant association with the greatest pollution impact area. Conclusion Due to the excesses of hospitalization observed in the high/low exposure approach, a continuing epidemiological surveillance of residents and occupational groups is warranted.