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Background exposure to persistent organic pollutants predicts stroke in the elderly
Duk-Hee Lee1, P Monica Lind, David R Jacobs
1Department of Preventative Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Environment International
|July 20, 2012
Summary
Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) like PCBs and pesticides is linked to increased stroke risk in the elderly. Higher POP levels significantly predict stroke incidence, highlighting POPs as a potential risk factor for stroke progression.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are lipophilic xenobiotics accumulating in adipose tissue.
- Emerging evidence suggests POPs as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
- The role of POPs in stroke development, particularly in the elderly, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between plasma concentrations of selected POPs and incident stroke in elderly individuals.
- To determine if specific POPs, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine (OC) pesticides, predict stroke risk.
- To quantify the risk of stroke associated with varying levels of POP exposure in older adults.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study involving 898 participants aged 70 years (Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors - PIVUS).
- Plasma concentrations of 21 POPs (16 PCBs, 3 OC pesticides, 1 BDE, 1 dioxin) were measured at baseline.
- Stroke diagnosis was validated via hospital records over a five-year follow-up period.
Main Results:
- A total of 35 hospital-treated strokes occurred during follow-up.
- Adjusted analyses revealed that specific PCBs, p,p'-DDE, trans-nonachlor, and octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin significantly predicted stroke risk.
- Elevated POP levels, particularly at the 90th and 95th percentiles, were associated with substantially increased odds ratios for stroke (e.g., OR 7.8 for PCBs ≥ 95th percentile).
Conclusions:
- Background exposure to POPs, including PCBs and OC pesticides, is a significant predictor of incident stroke in the elderly.
- These findings suggest POPs play a crucial role in the development and progression of stroke in older populations.
- Further research into POPs as a modifiable risk factor for stroke is warranted.
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