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Abstract #151854

Shanna Cox, MSPH, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 5505 Treecrest Parkway, Decatur, GA 30035, 770-488-6477, cio8@cdc.gov, Amanda Niskar, PhD, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS F29, Atlanta, GA 30341, K.M. Venkat Narayan, MD, Ph, National Center for Chronic Disease and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Preventin, 4770 Buford Highway, MS K10, Atlanta, GA 30341, and Michele Marcus, PhD, School of Public Health, Dept of Epidemiology, Emory University, 1418 Clifton Rd, NE, Atlanta, GA 30350.

Background The prevalence of diabetes is higher among Mexican-Americans when compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Higher serum levels of organochlorine pesticides in Mexican-Americans have been reported. Few studies have explored the association between pesticide exposure and prevalence of diabetes.

Methods This study was conducted among a sample of 1303 Mexican-Americans aged 20-74 years from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Serum concentrations were available for seven pesticides or pesticide metabolites at quantifiable levels in at least 1% of the study population: p, p'-DDT, p, p'-DDE, dieldrin, oxychlordane, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-BHC), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and trans-nonachlor. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of self-reported diabetes with exposure to organochlorine pesticides. Data is presented with and without adjustment for total serum lipids. Mean values of non fasting serum glucose were compared by level of exposure.

Results Self-reported diabetes was significantly associated with exposure above the detectable limit for trans-nonachlor, oxychlordane, and beta-BHC and among those with the highest level of exposure to p, p'-DDT and p, p' –DDE. A dose response relationship was found for exposure to trans-nonachlor, oxychlordane, p, p'-DDT and p, p' –DDE. Upon adjustment for total serum lipids, only the association with p, p'-DDT remained significant. Serum glucose levels were elevated among those exposed to trans-nonachlor and beta-BHC.

Conclusions This study suggests that exposure to certain organochlorine pesticides may be associated with increased prevalence of diabetes. Causality and a mechanism of action are unclear; future studies may help answer questions related to organochlorine exposure and endocrine system related disorders.

Learning Objectives:

• Define an endocrine disruptor.
• List at least one organochlorine compound associated with the prevalence of diabetes.
• Discuss issues of using cross-sectional studies to evaluate the association between diabetes and organochlorine compounds.

Keywords: Diabetes, Pesticide Exposure

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.