Occupational Noise Exposure and Diabetes Risk.

Imene Kacem,H Kalboussi,O El Maalel,S Chatti,M Kahloul,F Brahem,H Aroui,N Mrizek,W Naija,A Brahem,M Ghardallou,M Maoua,M Hafsia,M Limam,Jonathan Haughton

doi:10.1155/2021/1804616

Abstract

Introduction Noise is one of the most common worldwide environmental pollutants, especially in occupational fields. As a stressor, it affects not only the ear but also the entire body. Its physiological and psychological impacts have been well established in many conditions such as cardiovascular diseases. However, there is a dearth of evidence regarding diabetes risk related to noises. Aim To evaluate the relationship between occupational exposure to noise and the risk of developing diabetes. Methods This is a cross-sectional analytical study enrolling two groups of 151 workers each. The first group (noise exposed group: EG) included the employees of a Tunisian power plant, who worked during the day shift and had a permanent position. The second group (unexposed to noise group: NEG) included workers assigned to two academic institutions, who were randomly selected in the Occupational Medicine Department of the Farhat Hached University Hospital in Sousse, during periodical fitness to work visits. Both populations (exposed and unexposed) were matched by age and gender. Data collection was based on a preestablished questionnaire, a physical examination, a biological assessment, and a sonometric study. Results The mean equivalent continuous sound level was 89 dB for the EG and 44.6 dB for the NEG. Diabetes was diagnosed in 24 workers from EG (15.9%) and 14 workers from NEG (9.3%), with no statistically significant difference (p=0.08). After multiple binary logistic regression, including variables of interest, noise did not appear to be associated with diabetes. Conclusion Our results did not reveal a higher risk of developing diabetes in workers exposed to noise. Further studies assessing both level and duration of noise exposure are needed before any definitive conclusion.

Highlights

Noise is one of the most common worldwide environmental pollutants, especially in occupational fields
In 2013, Sørensen et al [12] raised the issue of noise-induced diabetes leading to an increasing number of studies assessing the relationship between noise exposures and developing diabetes [13,14,15]. ereby, several hypotheses have been reported suggesting that noise-induced stress leading to an increase in stress hormones levels such as cortisol, and noise-induced sleep disturbances may be potential pathways underlying the association between noise exposure and the development of metabolic disorders, including diabetes [7, 16]. ese repercussions should depend on both level and duration of noise exposure
Noise exposure consequences have been involved in many conditions that have similar pathogenesis with diabetes. us, it still seems difficult to make a definitive conclusion before conducting a large study taking into consideration a rigorous analysis of published data

Summary

Introduction

Diabetes is a major challenging public health priority around the world because of its huge socioeconomic impact [1]. Exposure to high levels of noise exceeding 85 dB has been reported by 25% of the Tunisian working population [5]. Ereby, several hypotheses have been reported suggesting that noise-induced stress leading to an increase in stress hormones levels such as cortisol, and noise-induced sleep disturbances may be potential pathways underlying the association between noise exposure and the development of metabolic disorders, including diabetes [7, 16]. Results remain controversial and inconclusive because of heterogeneity in considered methodologies and studied populations In this context, this study was conducted to assess the relationship between occupational noise and the risk of developing diabetes. Us, diabetes was defined by fasting blood sugar level ≥1.26 g/L (7.00 mmol/L) in two samples. Multivariate analyzes were carried out according to the step-by-step descending multiple binary logistic regression method. e dependent variable was diabetes and the explanatory variables were all variables with p less than or equal to 20% in the unvaried analysis

Results

Refusals

Conclusion