Historical exposure to persistent organic pollutants and risk of incident hypertension

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Juan P Arrebola
  • Mariana F Fernández
  • Piedad Martin-Olmedo
  • Bonde, Jens Peter
  • José L Martín-Rodriguez
  • José Expósito
  • Antonio Rubio-Domínguez
  • Nicolás Olea

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of adipose tissue concentrations of a group of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on the risk of hypertension in an adult cohort of residents of Granada (Southern Spain) over a 10-year follow-up. No chemical was significantly associated with the risk of hypertension in the overall population or when models were stratified by sex or median age. However, we found positive associations between log-transformed POP concentrations and hypertension risk in participants with body mass index (BMI) above the median value of 26.3kg/m(2), which were statistically significant for hexachlorobenzene (HR=1.26, 95% CI=1.03-1.56), β-hexachlorocyclohexane (HR=1.25, 95% CI=1.03-1.51), and polychlorinated biphenyl congeners -138 (HR=1.32, 95% CI=1.04-1.69) and -153 (HR=1.36, 95% CI=1.00-1.84). Inverse associations were observed in the subgroup with BMI≤26.3kg/m(2), but none was statistically significant. More research and a longer follow-up period are warranted to verify these associations and elucidate the role of obesity as a potential effect modifier. Given the elevated worldwide frequency of POP exposure and hypertension, the public health impact of this relationship may be substantial.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEnvironmental Research
Volume138
Pages (from-to)217-23
Number of pages7
ISSN0013-9351
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2015

    Research areas

  • Adipose Tissue, Adult, Aged, Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, Environmental Exposure, Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Pollutants, Female, Humans, Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated, Hypertension, Insecticides, Male, Middle Aged, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Prospective Studies, Spain, Young Adult

ID: 161192205