Occupational hydrocarbon exposure and diabetic nephropathy

Exposure to hydrocarbons has been implicated in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis but its role in the development of diabetic nephropathy remains unknown. Three groups of patients with Type 1 diabetes of over 10 years duration were studied. Group 1 comprised 45 patients (23 F) with no diabetic nephropathy (urinary albumin excretion (AER) < 30 mg 24 h-1), group 2 comprised 37 patients (17 F) with incipient diabetic nephropathy (AER between 30-300 mg 24 h-1), and group 3 comprised 31 patients (15 F) with overt diabetic nephropathy (AER > 300 mg 24 h-1). The groups were comparable for age, sex, duration of diabetes, recent glycaemic control, social class, and residential area. Patients were assessed blindly by a validated questionnaire and interview for hydrocarbon exposure, consumption of tobacco, analgesic agents, and alcohol. Exposure scores to hydrocarbons derived from the questionnaire were significantly higher in patients with incipient and overt diabetic nephropathy with smoking adjusted odds ratios of 3.6 and 5.2, respectively. The consumption of alcohol, analgesic agents, tobacco, and smoking habits were similar in the three groups. In conclusion, hydrocarbon exposure may be a key environmental factor in the development of diabetic nephropathy in patients with Type 1 diabetes.