0187 Alcohol consumption as a confounder in neurobehavioral studies of neurotoxicants. (23rd June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bast-Pettersen, Rita; Chashchin, Maxim; Chashchin, Valery; Thomassen, Yngvar; Ellingsen, Dag G
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 71(2014)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A23
• Page End: A24
• Publication Date: 2014-06-23
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2014-102362.73
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To study the effects of manganese (Mn) exposure and alcohol consumption on tremor. Method: Tremor was measured in 137 shipyard welders (age 39.9) and 137 referents (turner/fitters) (age 40.1) with the Catsys TREMOR. Alcohol consump­tion was assessed by measuring serum carbohydrate deficient transferrin (sCDT). Results: The geometric mean (GM) of Mn air concentration was 214μg/m 3 (range 1–3230). The GM concentrations of Mn in whole blood (B-Mn) and urine (U-Mn) were 12.8μg/L and 0.36μg/g creatinine versus 8.0μg/L and 0.07μg/g creatinine in the referents. Concentration of sCDT (%) was 0.71 in welders and 0.65 in referents. No significant differences in tremor measures were found when all welders were compared with all referents. Altogether twenty-­five subjects had sCDT above the pathological level 1.7%. The subjects with high sCDT had increased tremor. Dominant hand: Tremor Intensity 0.21 m/s 2, compared to 0.15 m/s 2 (p < 0.001) for subjects with sCDT < 1.7%. Non-dominant hand: Tremor Intensity 0.22 m/s 2 vs 0.15 m/s 2 ; (p < 0.001). The same pattern was found when the 16 welders with sCDT ≥ 1.7% were compared with welders with sCDT values < 1.7%. The concentrations of the biological exposure indicators were similar in the welders with sCDT ≥ 1.7% compared to the other welders (B-Mn 12.8 vs 12.7 μg/L; U-Mn 0.34 vs 0.36 μg/g cr.; S-Mn 1.3 vs 1.0 μg/L). Conclusions: No effect of manganese exposure on tremor was observed, in contrast to a large effect from alcohol consumption. The results suggest that alcohol consumption can operate as a serious confounder in epidemiological studies of neurotoxicants.