Proportional hospitalization rates for chronic diseases and environmental exposure to persistent organic pollutants

Objective: Studies suggest that environmental exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may increase risk of some chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to examine chronic disease hospitalization patterns in relation to exposure to POPs. Methods: Data on hospital discharges of >15 years old patients in the years 2001-2004 was obtained from the New York State Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS). Diseases listed as the principal diagnosis and the first two secondary diagnoses were considered the major reasons for hospitalization of a patient. Patients residing in zip codes containing or abutting waste sites with POPs were considered environmentally exposed. Results: Among exposed patients, as compared to unexposed, overall proportional hospitalization rates, were higher for diabetes (7.96% vs. 7.27%, p<0.05) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (10.05% vs. 8.49%, p<0.05). Although in exposed group crude rates were lower for myocardial infarction and unstable angina (5.39% vs. 5.76%, p<0.05) and chronic coronary heart disease (8.26% vs. 10.44%, p<0.05), higher rates for heart failure (9.58% vs. 8.73%, p<0.05) suggest severer course of heart disease in exposed population. Although crude rates for essential hypertension were lower among exposed patients (11.64% vs. 12.01%, p<0.05), higher rates for hypertensive chronic kidney disease with high-stage renal disease (1.70% vs. 1.41%, p<0.05) are indicative of severer course of disease in exposed population. Conclusions: Environmental exposure to POPs is associated with changes in hospitalization patterns for some chronic diseases. Results suggest that POPs may increase risk and/or severity of the course of these diseases.