PS-P12-6: CADMIUM AND HYPERTENSION IN KINGSTON JAMAICA: ANY CORRELATION?

Abstract

Background: The cadmium burden in Jamaican soil is exceptionally high. Cadmium has been found to induce hypertension in animal models but in humans, the results have been inconsistent. Objectives: We sought to Quantify associations of systolic and diastolic blood pressures with blood levels of cadmium in persons living in Kingston and St. Andrew. The distribution of hypertension by gender, age, BMI and other lifestyle categories and Determining the association of blood pressure with blood cadmium concentration. Methodology: A cross- sectional study was conducted with 287 persons residing in the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew. Demographic and lifestyle data were captured using closed ended questionnaires. Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure levels were measure using standardized protocol and blood cadmium concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results: More than half of the respondents (58.5%) were hypertensive, with the majority being females (65.5%). There was a statistically significant relationship between hypertension status and age, X2 (3, N = 287) = 51.98, p = 0.001), and hypertension status and BMI (p = 0.008). There was a positive yet small correlation between blood cadmium concentration blood pressure measurements (systolic and diastolic). However, after multivariable adjustments, there was no association between blood cadmium concentration and blood pressure measures. Logistic regression analysis indicated that for every one unit increase in blood cadmium concentration the odds of respondents being hypertensive increase by a factor of 1.035 (95% CI 0.975–1.099) unadjusted and 1.014 (95% CI 0.951–1.808) adjusted. No association was found between dietary patterns and blood cadmium concentration. Conclusion: No association was found between blood cadmium concentration and blood pressure measurements (systolic and diastolic measurements) and blood cadmium concentration and dietary patterns. However a positive association was found between hypertension prevalence and blood cadmium concentration. Further studies with increased sample size will be required to improve the statistical significance among the variables of interest.