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Environmental and occupational determinants of myelodysplastic syndrome: A case-control study from Pakistan
Nida Anwar1, Aisha Arshad1, Naveena Fatima1
1National Institute of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan.
Background:
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are heterogeneous group of haematopoietic stem cell disorders and have variable reduction in the production of red cells, platelets and mature granulocytes.
Aim:
We conducted a case-control study evaluating the environmental and occupational determinants as risk factors of MDS.
Methods:
A case-control study was conducted including 150 de novo MDS cases and 450 age and gender-matched controls. Disease characteristics, sociodemographics and exposure to environmental and occupational determinants were collected through a questionnaire. Chi-square test was applied to observe association, and binary logistic regression was applied to predict the odds of having MDS.
Results:
A total of 600 participants were analysed. Those who were exposed to arsenic (OR 31.81, CI: 19.0-53.0, P-value: .000), benzene (OR 1.564, CI: 1.07-2.27, P-value: .01) using natural source of water (OR 3.563, CI: 2.29-5.53, P-value: .000) and smokers (OR 3.1, P-value: .000) were more likely to have MDS. Unmarried were less likely to acquire MDS than married (OR 0.239, CI: 0.15-0.36, P-value: .000), Sindhi speaking were 1.419 times more likely to have MDS than participants speaking other languages. Uneducated participants were more likely to have MDS than educated and powder milk users were more likely to have MDS than dairy milk users.
Conclusion:
Our results revealed that arsenic, use of natural source of water and benzene exposure might lead to higher risk of acquiring MDS. This study would be helpful to understand the aetiology of disease in Pakistani population.
Insights
Exposure to arsenic, benzene, and natural water sources significantly increases myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) risk. Smoking also elevates MDS risk, while being unmarried may offer protection.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a diverse group of blood stem cell disorders.
- MDS are characterized by reduced production of red blood cells, platelets, and mature granulocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate environmental and occupational factors as potential risk determinants for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
- To evaluate the association between specific exposures and the incidence of MDS in the Pakistani population.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 150 de novo MDS cases and 450 matched controls.
- Data collection included disease characteristics, sociodemographics, and environmental/occupational exposures via questionnaire.
- Statistical analysis employed Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression to identify risk factors and their odds.
Main Results:
- Arsenic exposure showed a significantly high odds ratio (OR 31.81) for MDS.
- Benzene exposure (OR 1.564), use of natural water sources (OR 3.563), and smoking (OR 3.1) were associated with increased MDS risk.
- Marital status, language, education level, and milk consumption patterns also demonstrated associations with MDS risk.
Conclusions:
- Arsenic, natural water sources, and benzene exposure are identified as potential contributors to higher MDS risk.
- Findings provide insights into the etiology of MDS within the Pakistani population.
- Further research can inform public health strategies for MDS prevention.
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