Objectives:
To investigate occupational risks of lung adenocarcinoma in Uruguay and to confirm a previously reported increased risk among butchers.Methods:
We conducted a case–control study among men in four major hospitals in Montevideo, based on interviews to 338 cases of lung adenocarcinoma and 1014 hospital-based controls. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) of lung adenocarcinoma for employment in 22 jobs, after adjustment for tobacco smoking and other potential confounders.Results:
The OR was increased for employment as farmer, tractor driver, painter and medical worker, but no trend was suggested for duration of employment. Long-term employment as mason, glass worker or textile worker resulted in an increased OR. The OR for employment as butcher was 1.2 (95% confidence interval 0.7–2.1). The OR increased with increasing duration of self-reported exposure to formaldehyde.Conclusions:
Occupational exposures seem to play a limited role in causing lung adenocarcinoma among men in Uruguay. Employment as butcher was not confirmed as an important risk factor.Key words: epidemiology - lung adenocarcinoma - occupational exposures.