Association between phthalate exposure and lower lung function in an urban elderly population: A repeated-measures longitudinal study. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Kyoung-Nam; Lee, Mee-Ri; Choi, Yoon-Hyeong; Lee, Bo-Eun; Hong, Yun-Chul
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 113(2018)
• Page Start: 177
• Page End: 183
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: CI confidence interval -- COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- DBP dibutyl phthalate -- DEHP di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate -- FEF25–75 forced expiratory flow at 25–75% of the forced vital capacity -- FEV1 forced expiratory volume in 1 s -- FEV1/FVC ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity -- FVC forced vital capacity -- MEHHP mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydrohexyl) phthalate -- MEOHP mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate -- MnBP mono-n-butyl phthalate; Elderly -- Lung function -- Phthalate -- Progression analysis -- Repeated-measures; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.02.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Lung function is a major predictor of morbidity and mortality. Only a few studies have explored the association between phthalate exposure and lung function. Objective: To evaluate the association between phthalate exposure and lung function in the elderly. Methods: A total of 3 repeated-measures surveys were conducted in 559 elderly individuals aged ≥60 years in Seoul, Korea, at 1-year intervals (2012–2015). During each survey, urinary mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydrohexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) (geometric mean, 15.68 μg/L), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) (11.97 μg/L), and mono- n -butyl phthalate (MnBP) (2.09 μg/L) levels were measured; moreover, lung function tests and a structured questionnaire interview were performed. We constructed linear mixed models to assess the association between urinary phthalate metabolite levels and lung function. Results: A doubling of creatinine-adjusted urinary phthalate metabolite levels was inversely associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (L) (β = −0.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.02, 0.004 for MEHHP; β = −0.02, 95% CI: −0.03, −0.01 for MEOHP; β = −0.01, 95% CI: −0.03, −0.003 for MnBP) and forced vital capacity (L) (β = −0.02, 95% CI: −0.03, −0.001 for MEHHP; β = −0.02, 95% CI: −0.03, −0.004 for MEOHP; β = −0.02, 95% CI: −0.03, −0.001 for MnBP). A doubling of creatinine-adjusted MnBP levels was associated with increased rates of annual decline in forced vital capacity (L/year) (β = −0.01, 95% CI: −0.02, −0.001). Conclusions: Urinary phthalate metabolite levels were associated with lower lung function and an increased rate of decline in lung function in an elderly population. Highlights: We explored the association between phthalate exposure and lung function. Data were derived from a repeated-measures survey of an elderly population. Urinary phthalate metabolite levels were associated with lower lung function. They were also associated with an increased rate of lung function decline. The results were robust in models further adjusted for blood heavy metal levels.