Abstract
BackgroundIn 1968, the Yusho incident resulted in accidental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and related compounds in Japan. This study updated the risk of mortality in Yusho patients.MethodsWe obtained updated cohort data for all Yusho patients for the period 1968–2017. We calculated standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for all-cause and cause-specific mortality over a 50-year follow-up period compared with the general population in Japan.ResultsA total of 1664 Yusho patients with 63,566 person-years of follow up were included in the analysis. Among males, excess mortality was observed for all cancers (SMR: 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02 to 1.45) and lung cancer (SMR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.12 to 2.19). Among females, increased mortality was observed for liver cancer (SMR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.02 to 3.67). No significant increase was seen in non-cancer-related mortality compared with the general population.ConclusionsCarcinogenic risk in humans after exposure to PCBs and PCDFs remains higher among Yusho patients. Our findings suggest the importance of care engagement and optimum management to deal with the burden of Yusho disease.
Highlights
In 1968, a mass food poisoning incident involving more than 1800 patients occurred in western Japan [1]
Among females, increased mortality was observed for liver cancer (SMR: 2.05, 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.02 to 3.67)
Our findings suggest that carcinogenic risk to humans after exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) remains higher among Yusho patients
Summary
In 1968, a mass food poisoning incident involving more than 1800 patients occurred in western Japan [1]. The incident was called Yusho (oil disease in Japanese) since it was caused by the ingestion of rice bran oil which had been contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and other dioxin-related compounds [2, 3]. This accidental release of PCBs and PCDFs into rice bran oil led to acute and chronic toxicity, and Yusho patients have suffered a broad range of symptoms such as comedones, acneiform eruption, and pigmentation of the conjunctiva, skin, and gingiva [4, 5]. This study updated the risk of mortality in Yusho patients
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