Epidemiological study

Residential distance from high-voltage overhead power lines and risk of Alzheimer's dementia and Parkinson's disease: a population-based case-control study in a metropolitan area of Northern Italy epidem.

By: Gervasi F, Murtas R, Decarli A, Russo AG

Published in: Int J Epidemiol 2019; 48 (6): 1949-1957

To test the validity of the study design, a further group of cases and controls has been introduced to study the association between exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and diabetes mellitus, for which there is currently no evidence in the literature.

Type of risk estimation:

(odds ratio (OR))

Group	Description
Group 1	distance between residence and power line: < 50 m
Group 2	distance between residence and power line: 50 - 199 m
Group 3	distance between residence and power line: 200 - 599 m
Reference group 4	distance between residence and power line: ≥ 600 m

Data source: Agency for Health Protection of Milan
Exclusion criteria: < 45 years old, change of residence, residence of the municipality of Milan

Other:

9,835 persons with Alzheimer's disease and 39,340 controls, 6,810 persons with Parkinson's disease and 27,240 controls

Statistical analysis method:

(adjustment:

sex
residential area
year of birth, deprivation index and distance between residence and nearest high-traffic road

)

Statistically non-significant slightly increased risks were observed for Alzheimer's disease (OR 1.11, CI 0.95-1.30) or for Parkinson’s disease (OR 1.09, CI 0.92–1.30) in residents living < 50 m to high voltage power lines compared to residents at a distance ≥ 600 m.
The overlap of the results obtained in relation to diabetes mellitus compared with those already reported in the literature (no association with exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and strong association with socio-economic deprivation) confirms the overall soundness of the study design used.
The authors conclude that the finding of a weak association between exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields and neurodegenerative diseases suggests the continuation of research on this topic.

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