Abstract
Exposure to occupational and environmental noise is closely linked to various auditory system diseases. Few studies have focused on the effect of noise exposure on the extra auditory system, especially the urinary system. We analyzed 17,154 participants aged 40–79 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2013 and 2018. A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess occupational or environmental noise exposure. Logistic regression was used to determine the differences in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) based on noise exposure characteristics. For participants with noise exposure, linear regression was performed to determine relationship of the noise exposure period and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). In the noise exposure group, a higher CKD prevalence was associated with females who experienced long-term occupational noise (≥ 240 months) (adjusted OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.11–6.66). An increase of one month of occupational noise exposure was associated with a 0.0106 mL/min/1.73 m2 decrease in eGFR in females aged < 60 years. Overall, noise exposure may be a risk factor for reduced renal function, especially long-term occupational noise exposure. More precise studies should determine (1) the relationship between noise and renal function and (2) the underlying mechanisms.
Highlights
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a generic term for any condition that leads to kidney damage or decreased renal function
There was no association between long-term environmental noise exposure and chronic kidney disease (CKD); for occupational noise, there were statistical associations in the crude model for the total group, male group, and female group
CKD was significantly associated with hearing discomfort; this tendency was maintained after sex stratification
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a generic term for any condition that leads to kidney damage or decreased renal function. Because of population aging and an increase in diabetes and hypertension (i.e., two of the main causes of CKD), the burden of CKD has intensified[7] To reduce this burden, determining and avoiding risk factors would be beneficial. The biological mechanism of the non-auditory effects of noise can be explained by the induction of the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) axis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis Activation of these axes releases epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol, which alter blood flow and metabolism[12,13]. Few epidemiological studies have considered how different types of noise exposure are related to renal diseases. We examined the association between the two types of noise exposure status, which are occupational and environmental noise, and renal function (CKD and the estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]).
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