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Arsenic exposure and hypertension: a systematic review
Lalita N Abhyankar1, Miranda R Jones, Eliseo Guallar
1Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Environmental Health Perspectives
|December 6, 2011
Summary
Environmental arsenic exposure is associated with an increased risk of hypertension. Further research is needed to confirm the dose-response relationship and establish causality.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Arsenic exposure in endemic areas is linked to hypertension.
- Understanding this environmental health risk is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and summarize epidemiologic studies on arsenic exposure and hypertension.
- To evaluate the potential relationship between arsenic exposure and blood pressure (BP).
Main Methods:
- Searched PubMed, Embase, and TOXLINE for relevant studies.
- Included 11 cross-sectional studies.
- Calculated pooled odds ratios (ORs) using random-effects models.
Main Results:
- A pooled OR of 1.27 (95% CI: 1.09, 1.47) for hypertension comparing highest to lowest arsenic exposure.
- Increased odds of hypertension observed with higher arsenic concentrations in drinking water.
- A dose-response trend was noted, with increasing arsenic exposure correlating with higher odds of hypertension.
Conclusions:
- An association exists between arsenic exposure and hypertension prevalence.
- Causal interpretation is limited by study numbers, influential findings, and lack of prospective data.
- More research is required to clarify the dose-response relationship.
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