Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology

The Korean Society of Environmental Health and Toxicology (환경독성보건학회)
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Association of urinary 3-phenoxybenzoic acid levels with self-reported depression symptoms in a rural elderly population in Asan, South Korea

  • Kim, Bokyeong (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Soonchunhyang University) ;
  • Jung, Ara (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Soonchunhyang University) ;
  • Yun, Dongmin (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Soonchunhyang University) ;
  • Lee, Mira (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Soonchunhyang University) ;
  • Lee, Mee-Ri (Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Choi, Yoon-Hyeong (Department of Preventive Medicine, Gacheon University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Yongbae (Department of Preventive Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Choonghee (Environmental Health Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research) ;
  • Hong, Yun-Chul (Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Sungroul (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Soonchunhyang University)
  • Received : 2015.01.07
  • Accepted : 2015.04.02
  • Published : 2015.01.01
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Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the association between presence of depression symptoms and the exposure level to insecticides among aged population in rural area, determined via measured levels of urinary 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), after controlling for socioeconomic confounding factors. Methods Using a cross-sectional study design, we randomly recruited participants for our study (161 male and 239 female) from rural areas of Asan, Chungnam, Korea. Environmental risk factor exposure was assessed using a questionnaire, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze urinary 3-PBA levels. We used a logistic regression analysis to assess the association of urinary 3-PBA levels with the presence of self-reported depression symptoms. Results After controlling for creatinine levels, the median (interquartile range) concentration of 3-PBA was approximately 1.5 times (p<0.05) higher among female (1.54 [0.90 to 2.35]) ${\mu}g/g$) than among male (1.06 [0.64 to 1.81] ${\mu}g/g$). Our study found that among female participants, the unit increase in 3-PBA levels exhibited a likely positive association (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 1.25) with an increased risk of presence of self-reported depression symptoms, after adjusting for socioeconomic insurance type, daily physical condition, marital status, smoking status, and age. Conclusions Given our finding of a potential association between the presence of self-reported depression symptoms and 3-PBA levels, precautions should be considered to minimize exposure to insecticides and thus protect the health of aged residents in rural areas.

Keywords

References

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