Influence of dioxin-related compounds on physical function in Yusho incident victims. Issue 10 (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fukushi, Jun-ichi; Tsushima, Hidetoshi; Matsumoto, Yoshihiro; Mitoma, Chikage; Furue, Masutaka; Miyahara, Hisaaki; Nakashima, Yasuharu
• Is Part Of: Heliyon. Volume 5:Issue 10(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: Environmental science -- Environmental health -- Environmental toxicology -- Toxicology -- Epidemiology -- Physical activity -- Musculoskeletal system -- Dioxin -- Yusho -- Hand grip strength -- Functional reach -- Physical function; Research -- Periodicals; Medical sciences -- Periodicals; Natural history -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; 507.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02702
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2405-8440

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: Few studies have examined the influence of dioxin-related compounds on human physical function, and existing results are inconsistent. In 1968, accidental human exposure to rice oil contaminated with dioxin-related compounds resulted in the development of Yusho oil disease in Japan. We aimed to determine whether the degree of exposure to dioxin-related compounds was associated with physical function in Yusho patients. Methods: In 2016, 65 men (average age: 65.7 years) and 77 women (average age: 64.7 years) participated in a nationwide health examination in Fukuoka prefecture. Functional reach, gait speed, hand grip strength, and toe grip strength were evaluated as part of physical function. The serum levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, and non-ortho polychlorinated biphenyls were measured using high-resolution gas chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry. We examined the association between physical function tests and serum toxic equivalency (TEQ) values. Results: A 10-fold increase in serum TEQ levels was negatively associated with functional reach (adjusted b = -4.07, p = 0.017) and hand grip strength (adjusted b = -2.20, p = 0.0245) in men. No association was observed between serum TEQ level and physical function in women. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that dioxin-related compounds have a negative influence on physical function in men. However, these findings should be interpreted carefully. Future studies examining additional data on musculoskeletal disorders are warranted. Abstract : Environmental science; Environmental health; Environmental toxicology; Toxicology; Epidemiology; Physical activity; Musculoskeletal system; Dioxin; Yusho; Hand grip strength; Functional reach; Physical function