groups 1s a completely valid control group,

and the caveats associated with in-

terpretation of the data using these groups are pointed out in Section IX.C.

C.

Results

During the past six years, general medical findings in the Rongelap and

Utirik populations continued to be comparable and very similar to those noted
in previous years.
There were no apparent differences between the exposed and

unexposed people from either atoll in incidences of specific diseases (other
than thyroid abnormalities, described in Section IX).

Subjects in all groups continued to exhibit extensive dental disease -multiple caries, peridontal inflammation, and early endentulism -- despite repetitive instruction and encouragement in dental hygiene.
Dermatophytic dermatoses and pediculosis, sometimes with secondary infection, remained common, particularly among the children, in whom molluscum
contagiosum also occurred with high frequency.

The ophthalmological findings were similar to those reported in the 20year report (1). These included a high incidence of pingueculae and pterygia,

arcus senilis, and senile cataracts.
No radiogenic cataracts have been noted.
Though some of the cataracts have been associated with diabetes, vascular

changes in the fundus associated with this disease were minimal (see Section

VII}.
VIL.

The high incidence of diabetes among the adults is discussed in Section
Adults continued to have evidence of hypertension as indicated by

systolic pressures >140 mmHg or diastolic >90 mmHg.
Virtually every adult
studied, regardless of exposure group, registered pressures above these limits

at least once during the past six years.

Repeated elevations (two or more)

were found in 12 of 42 Rongelap exposed adults, 21 of 55 Utirik exposed
adults, and 20 of 64 Rongelap controls.
This frequency is higher than the 9%

incidence reported during the first 20 years (1) and may reflect the advancing

age of all groups.
Overt clinical evidence of hypertensive heart disease or
retinopathy remains scarce.
Evidence of degenerative osteoarthritis in the elderly was uniformly apparent among all groups with equal frequency, and musculo-skeletal complaints
such as backaches, lower extremity pain, and decreased flexibility were com-

mon.

Pelvic examinations, including Pap smears, resulted in abnormal findings
in 7% of the female population examined.
Cervical inflammation and trichomonas were commonly seen, and occasionally fungus infections, herpes, and
condylamata.
The fungal infections were often correlated with diabetes as
evidenced by elevated blood sugar levels.
Several toxemias of pregnancy were
noted.
The incidences of the above abnormalities were about the same in the
exposed as in the unexposed females.*

Hypertension was practically nonexistent in Marshallese children.

Silty was noted primarily in some girls after they had reached puberty.

Obe-

In

*Dr. Ruth Nicoloff (Permanente Medical Group, Los Angeles) was responsible for
interpreting the Pap smears.

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