A CASE-CONTROL STUDY OF PROSTHETIC IMPLANTS AND SELECTED CHRONIC DISEASES

We examined the association between prosthetic nonbreast implants and selected malignant neoplasms, connective tissue disorders, and neurolo gic diseases. We conducted a case-control study from an insurance clai ms database. We selected controls who had diseases for which no associ ation with implants have been claimed or reported. Data were analyzed wing both tabular and polytomous regression analysis methods, includin g methods to account for the large number of comparisons. All analyses exhibited positive associations between implants (both silicone and m etal) and neurologic conditions, especially idiopathic progressive neu ropathy and Meniere syndrome, as well as the expected associations wit h arthritic conditions. There also was an unexpected negative associat ion between metal implants and brain tumors. In conclusion, further st udies of prosthetic implants and neurologic diseases appear warranted. These studies should obtain medical histories to control for possible confounding effects of drug treatments associated with implant surger y. (C) 1996 by Elsevier Science Inc.