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Exposure to p,p'-DDE: a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
Anna Rignell-Hydbom1, Jonas Lidfeldt, Hannu Kiviranta
1Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. anna.rignell-hydbom@med.lu.se
Plos One
|October 20, 2009
Summary
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) like p,p'-DDE may increase type 2 diabetes risk. This study found higher p,p'-DDE levels linked to increased diabetes risk in women over six years.
Area of Science:
- Environmental health
- Endocrinology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
- Previous studies show associations, but reversed causality cannot be excluded.
- Evaluating POPs as a risk factor for T2DM is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between POPs exposure and the risk of developing T2DM.
- To determine if specific POPs, such as CB-153 and p,p '-DDE, are risk factors for T2DM.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted on women aged 50-59 in Southern Sweden.
- Serum samples were analyzed for 2,2 ',4,4 ',5,5 '-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) and p,p '-DDE.
- Follow-up analysis considered diagnosis timing relative to sample collection.
Main Results:
- No association was found between CB-153, p,p '-DDE and T2DM risk in the overall dataset.
- However, a significant increased risk for T2DM was observed in the highest exposure quartile for p,p '-DDE (OR 5.5) and CB-153 (OR 1.6) when considering cases diagnosed >6 years post-baseline.
- This suggests a potential long-term effect of POPs exposure.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms p,p '-DDE exposure as a potential risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
- A follow-up design strengthens the evidence for a causal link.
- Further research may elucidate mechanisms linking POPs to T2DM development.
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