Community-based insights into the connection between endocrine-disrupting chemicals and depressive symptoms

The rising prevalence of depressive disorders has sparked concerns regarding environmental risk factors, particularly exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). However, the link between EDC exposure and depressive symptoms remains largely unexplored.

The Chang Gung Community Medicine Research Center carried out a cross-sectional study across four regions in northeastern Taiwan. Out of 887 participants, 120 subjects were chosen according to their EDC exposure scores. These participants underwent urinary EDC analysis and were evaluated for depressive symptoms through the standardized Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Depression subscale (HADS-D) questionnaire.

Participants with HADS-D scores ≥ 8 exhibited significantly higher EDC exposure score compared to those with lower scores. The correlation analyses identified a notible positive association between urinary monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) levels and HADS-D scores (r = 0.244, p = 0.007). Multiple regression analysis revealed that MBzP was independently linked to increased HADS-D scores in a positive manner (β ± SE: 0.139 ± 0.050, p = 0.006). Multivariable logistic regression indicated that higher MBzP (OR: 1.150, 95 % CI: 1.036-1.278, p = 0.009) and methylparaben (MP) levels (OR: 1.008, 95 % CI: 1.003-1.013, p < 0.001) showed a significant correlation with the likelihood of HADS-D scores ≥ 8. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that elevated levels of MBzP, MP and the EDCs exposure score were associated with a greater likelihood of depressive symptoms.

Exposure to EDCs, particularly MBzP and MP, could be associated with a heightened risk of depressive symptoms.