Low-dose nuclear radiation exposure may increase risk for diabetes
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Key takeaways:
- Nuclear emergency workers in Japan exposed to 10 mSv to 49 mSv of radiation had an increased risk for developing diabetes.
- Longer-term follow-up studies and mechanistic research are needed.
Exposure to low levels of nuclear radiation may increase the risk for developing diabetes, according to data presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting.
In a retrospective analysis of adults who performed emergency work following the radiation accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan in 2011, the risk for developing diabetes was higher for workers exposed to 10 millisievert (mSv) to 49 mSv of radiation compared with those exposed to little or no radiation.
“Health care providers should consider more vigilant screening for diabetes in individuals with a history of low-dose radiation exposure, such as nuclear emergency workers, to detect and manage the condition early, potentially reducing health risks,” Huan Hu, PhD, researcher at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health in Kawasaki, Japan, told Healio.
Researchers analyzed baseline data from 5,326 adults enrolled in the Epidemiological Study of Health Effects in Fukushima Nuclear Emergency Workers, a study conducted to assess long-term health outcomes for emergency workers exposed to radiation following an accident at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Incident diabetes was defined as having a fasting plasma glucose of 126 mg/dL or higher, an HbA1c of at least 6.5% or a self-reported diabetes diagnosis. Radiation dose was measured through an individual pocket alarm dosemeter for external exposure and a whole-body counter for internal exposure.
There were 392 adults who developed diabetes from 2012 to 2021. In multivariable-adjusted analysis, adults exposed to 10 mSv to 19 mSv of radiation (adjusted HR = 1.47; 95% CI, 1.12-1.94) and 20 mSv to 49 mSv of radiation (aHR = 1.33; 95% CI, 1-1.77) had higher risks for developing diabetes than adults exposed to 0 mSv to 4 mSv of radiation. No difference in diabetes risk was observed for adults exposed to 5 to 9 millisieverts of radiation and those exposed to 50 mSv or more of radiation compared with the 0 mSv to 4 mSv radiation exposure group.
“Further research is necessary to elucidate the connection between low-dose radiation exposure and diabetes risk,” Hu said. “This may involve extending the follow-up duration to identify more cases of incident diabetes, enabling a more comprehensive analysis. Additionally, conducting mechanistic studies is essential to gain a deeper understanding of the potential health hazards linked to low-dose radiation exposure, ultimately informing strategies for safeguarding exposed individuals.”
Reference:
Study from Fukushima shows even low doses of radiation may contribute to diabetes. Available at https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1003251#:~:text=The%20analysis%20found%20that%20compared,20%2D49%20mSv%2C%20respectively
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Hu H, et al. Abstract 24. Presented at: European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting; Oct. 2-6, 2023; Hamburg, Germany (hybrid meeting).
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