Positive Associations of Serum Concentration of Polychlorinated Biphenyls or Organochlorine Pesticides with Self-Reported Arthritis, Especially Rheumatoid Type, in Women

Abstract

BackgroundPersistent organic pollutants (POPs) can influence the immune system, possibly increasing the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition, as metabolic change due to obesity has been proposed as one mechanism of osteoarthritis (OA), POPs stored in adipose tissue may be also associated with OA.ObjectiveOur goal in this study was to examine associations of background exposure to POPs with arthritis among the general population.DesignWe investigated cross-sectional associations of serum POPs concentrations with the prevalence of self-reported arthritis in 1,721 adults ≥ 20 years of age in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2002.ResultsAmong several POPs, dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or nondioxin-like PCBs were positively associated with arthritis in women. After adjusting for possible confounders, odds ratios (ORs) were 1.0, 2.1, 3.5, and 2.9 across quartiles of dioxin-like PCBs (p for trend = 0.02). Corresponding figures for nondioxin-like PCBs were 1.0, 1.6, 2.6, and 2.5 (p for trend = 0.02). Organochlorine (OC) pesticides were also weakly associated with arthritis in women. For subtypes of arthritis, respectively, RA was more strongly associated with PCBs than was OA. The adjusted ORs for RA were 1.0, 7.6, 6.1, and 8.5 for dioxin-like PCBs (p for trend = 0.05), 1.0, 2.2, 4.4, and 5.4 for nondioxin-like PCBs (p for trend < 0.01), and 1.0, 2.8, 2.7, and 3.5 for OC pesticides (p for trend = 0.15). POPs in men did not show any clear relation with arthritis.ConclusionsThe possibility that background exposure to PCBs may be involved in pathogenesis of arthritis, especially RA, in women should be investigated in prospective studies.

Explaining rural/non-rural disparities in physical health-related quality of life: a study of United Methodist clergy in North Carolina

“…Joint conditions have been associated with contextual factors including pollutants, mechanical factors affecting the hands (e.g., occupational load), poverty and low education [44][45][46]. Lee and colleagues further note that obesity can contribute to joint problems [46], suggesting that factors driving differences in obesity levels might also be responsible for higher frequency of joint disease. We tested this link and found that BMI is significantly associated with joint disease in our sample (analyses available upon request).…”

The role of environmental estrogens and autoimmunity

“…A weak association has also been reported for organochlorine pesticides exposure and rheumatoid arthritis (RA, Relative Risk 2) [63,64]. In the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (76.861 postmenopausal women enrolled, aged 50-79 years), personal use of insecticides was associated with an increased risk of RA and SLE.…”

“…Exposure to PCBs has been linked to RA: in a 2007 cross-sectional study, serum concentration of PCBs was positively associated with a self-reported diagnosis of RA (OR 2.2) [63]. Concerns of immune alterations in PCB-exposed humans have also been raised: in a study in Dutch children, PCB levels were tied to an increased prevalence of ear infections and chickenpox with lowered immune system function [66].…”

Childhood Residential and Agricultural Pesticide Exposures in Relation to Adult-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis in Women

“…However, shared mechanisms may provide links to RA; for example, endocrine disruption, inflammation, and stress response (40)(41)(42). In a US population sample (1999)(2000)(2001), organochlorine levels were elevated in women with self-reported RA (43). Early research in the Agricultural Health Study cohort showed no association of RA in women reporting use of DDT, but the study included only 135 cases (mostly prevalent) (44).…”