Skip to main content

Radon Exposure Linked to CHIP Risk for Women With Ischemic Stroke

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Jan 4, 2024.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, Jan. 4, 2024 -- Radon exposure is associated with an increased risk for clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) among postmenopausal women with ischemic stroke, according to a study published online Jan. 3 in Neurology.

Kurtis M. Anthony, M.P.H., from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and colleagues estimated the risk for CHIP related to radon by linking geocoded addresses of 10,799 Women's Health Initiative Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine participants to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-predicted, county-level, indoor average screening radon concentrations, categorized as zones 1, 2, and 3 (>4, 2 to 4, and <2 pCi/L, respectively). CHIP was defined as the presence of one or more leukemogenic driver mutations with variant allele frequency >0.02.

The researchers found that 9.0, 8.4, and 7.7 percent of participants had CHIP in zones 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Zones 2 and 1 were associated with a higher estimated risk for CHIP relative to zone 3 among participants with ischemic stroke (1.39 and 1.46, respectively), but not among those with hemorrhagic stroke or those without stroke. Among Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment subtyped cardioembolism or other ischemic etiologies, the corresponding estimates were particularly high, but estimates were not significantly increased for small vessel occlusion.

"In conclusion, although the results do not support an association between radon and CHIP among postmenopausal women overall, they do suggest an association between radon and CHIP among participants with ischemic stroke," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

More Physical Activity Tied to Higher Odds of Hot Flashes

FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- Increases in physical activity increase the odds of menopause-related hot flashes, according to a study published online May 28 in Menopause. Sarah...

Delay in Hospital Arrival After Stroke Linked to Social Vulnerability

THURSDAY, May 30, 2024 -- Areas with a high incidence of delay in hospital arrival after ischemic stroke are characterized by increased social vulnerability, according to a study...

Infarct Size Does Not Affect Treatment Effect of Early Versus Late DOAC

TUESDAY, May 28, 2024 -- For individuals with minor, moderate, or major stroke, the treatment effect of early versus late direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) initiation does not...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.