George Everett

Smoking and risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

Population-based case-control interview studies of 622 White men with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and 820 controls from Iowa and Minnesota (United States) and 173 White men with multiple myeloma and 452 controls from Iowa offered the opportunity to investigate the relationship of these cancers with smoking. Risks were significantly elevated for all lymphoma (odds ratio [OR]=1.4), high-grade lymphoma (OR=2.3), and unclassified lymphoma (OR=2.8) for cigarette smokers. Dose-response gradients were not seen with intensity of cigarette use, but risks for these subtypes were greatest for cigarette smokers of longest duration. Similar elevations in risks were seen for tobacco users. The risk of multiple myeloma was not significantly elevated for either tobacco users or cigarette smokers. The findings from this study confirm the lack of an association between smoking and multiple myeloma and provide some support for an association between tobacco use and certain subtypes of non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Pesticide exposures and multiple myeloma in Iowa men

A population-based case-control study of 173 White men with multiple myeloma (MM) and 650 controls was conducted in Iowa (United States), an area with a large farming population, to evaluate the association between MM, agricultural risk factors, and exposure to individual pesticides. A slight nonsignificantly elevated risk for MM was seen among farmers (odds ratio [OR]=1.2, 95 percent confidence interval [CI]=0.8–1.7). Although slight excesses were observed, there were no significant associations between MM and handling either classes of pesticides or specific pesticides. Thus, this study found little evidence to suggest an association between risk of MM and farming or pesticides.

Alcohol consumption and risk of leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

Population-based case-control interview studies of white men, 578 with leukemia, 622 with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and 820 controls from Iowa and Minnesota and 173 with multiple myeloma and 452 controls from Iowa, offered the opportunity to investigate the relationship of these cancers with alcohol consumption. Although drinkers had non-significantly elevated risks for specific subtypes of leukemia (acute lymphocytic leukemia (OR = 3.0), myelodysplasia (OR = 1.6), and other leukemia (OR = 1.5)) and multiple myeloma (OR = 1.3), there were no statistically significant findings and no dose-response gradients with amount of alcohol consumed. Thus, these data suggest that alcohol is not an important contributor to the etiology of lymphatic and hematopoietic tumors.

Leukemia and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Residential Proximity to Industrial Plants

The risks of developing leukemia and non-Hodgkins lymphoma from living near industrial facilities were evaluated among men from Iowa and Minnesota in a population-based, case-control study. We found a statistically significant increase in the risk of developing non-Hodgkins lymphoma (RR = 1.4) and a slight, nonsignificant excess for leukemia (RR = 1.2) among individuals who lived .8-3.2 km (1/2-2 miles) from a factory. Risks were greater for certain histologic types: follicular lymphoma (RR = 1.5), acute lymphocytic leukemia (RR = 5.4), and acute myelocytic leukemia (RR = 2.2). For non-Hodgkins lymphoma (but not for leukemia), the relative risks for those living within .8 km (1/2 mile) of a factory were similar or slightly larger than for those living .8-3.2 km (1/2-2 miles) from a factory. Risks did not increase with duration of residence near a factory. The elevated risks of non-Hodgkins lymphoma were particularly associated with residing near stone, clay, or glass industry facilities. The risk of developing leukemia was greater among persons who resided near chemical and petroleum plants. These preliminary findings raise the possibility that general environmental exposure associated with certain industrial activities may elevate the risk of developing leukemia and non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Evaluation of data on proximity to industrial plants from studies in other geographic locations is needed to determine whether our results represent a meaningful association.

The Attending Round Observation System: A Procedure for Describing Teaching During Attending Rounds.

Two separate reliability studies were conducted on an observational instrument derivedfrom previous qualitative research and designedfor collecting data on teaching behaviors demonstrated by attending physicians during attending rounds. The first study involved five observers coding 17 20-minute, videotaped segments of attending rounds. The second study involved two observers coding27 two-hour attending round sessions as they occurred live on hospital wards. The reliability estimates from both studies were quite high, indicating that the instrument shows promise for use in both research and evaluation studies.