No Association between Arsenic Exposure from Drinking Water and Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background The long-term effects of arsenic exposure from drinking water at levels < 300 μg/L and the risk of diabetes mellitus remains a controversial topic. Method We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study using baseline data from 11,319 participants in the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study in Araihazar, Bangladesh, to evaluate the associations of well water arsenic and total urinary arsenic concentration and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and glucosuria. We also assessed the concentrations of well water arsenic, total urinary arsenic, and urinary arsenic metabolites in relation to blood glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in subsets of the study population. Results More than 90% of the cohort members were exposed to drinking water with arsenic concentration < 300 μg/L. We found no association between arsenic exposure and the prevalence of diabetes. The adjusted odds ratios for diabetes were 1.00 (referent), 1.35 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.90–2.02], 1.24 (0.82–1.87), 0.96 (0.62–1.49), and 1.11 (0.73–1.69) in relation to quintiles of time-weighted water arsenic concentrations of 0.1–8, 8–41, 41–91, 92–176, and ≥ 177 μg/L, respectively, and 1.00 (referent), 1.29 (0.87–1.91), 1.05 (0.69–1.59), 0.94 (0.61–1.44), and 0.93 (0.59–1.45) in relation to quintiles of urinary arsenic concentrations of 1–36, 37–66, 67–114, 115–204, and ≥ 205 μg/L, respectively. We observed no association between arsenic exposure and prevalence of glucosuria and no evidence of an association between well water arsenic, total urinary arsenic, or the composition of urinary arsenic metabolites and HbA1c level. Conclusions Our findings do not support an association of arsenic exposure from drinking water and a significantly increased risk of diabetes mellitus in the range of levels observed. Further prospective studies would be valuable in confirming the findings.

Diabetes mellitus among arsenic exposed and non-exposed young adults in Bangladesh

“…26 However, a study conducted in Bangladesh did not show any association between diabetes and arsenic when the concentration of arsenic was less than 300 ppb in water. 27 In the current study significant association could not be found between the lower dose of arsenic exposure and DM and IGT amongst the arsenic exposed young adults.…”

Low levels of arsenic in drinking water and type 2 diabetes in Middle Banat region, Serbia

“…On the contrary to these studies, the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study in Bangladesh found no association between arsenic levels in water and urine samples and type 2 diabetes (Chen et al, 2010). Similarly, a reanalysis of the data from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the USA did not indicate that arsenic exposure would increase the risk of diabetes (Steinmaus et al, 2009).…”

Chronic Arsenic Toxicity from Drinking Well Water in a Rural Area

“…Some studies also suggested the relationship 35 http://www.ijt.ir; Volume 11, No 6, November-December2017 between arsenic exposure and prevalence of diabetes [13,19]. The relationship also has suggested in studies conducted in industrial exposure of arsenic [20][21][22].…”