Racial and Sex Differences between Urinary Phthalates and Metabolic Syndrome among U.S. Adults: NHANES 2005-2014.

Rajrupa Ghosh,Raul Cruz-Cano,Cher M Dallal,Paul C Turner,Mefruz Haque

doi:10.3390/ijerph18136870

Abstract

Phthalates, plasticizers ubiquitous in household and personal care products, have been associated with metabolic disturbances. Despite the noted racial differences in phthalate exposure and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), it remains unclear whether associations between phthalate metabolites and MetS vary by race and sex. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 10,017 adults from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (2005–2014). Prevalence odds ratios (POR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for the association between 11 urinary phthalate metabolites and MetS using weighted sex and race stratified multivariable logistic regression. Higher MCOP levels were significantly associated with increased odds of MetS among women but not men, and only remained significant among White women (POR Q4 vs. Q1 = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.29; p-trend = 0.001). Similarly, the inverse association observed with MEHP among women, persisted among White women only (POR Q4 vs. Q1 = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.80; p-trend = 0.003). However, ΣDEHP metabolites were associated with increased odds of MetS only among men, and this finding was limited to White men (POR Q4 vs. Q1 = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.35; p-trend = 0.06). Among Black men, an inverse association was observed with higher MEP levels (POR Q4 vs. Q1 = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.77; p-trend = 0.01). The findings suggest differential associations between phthalate metabolites and MetS by sex and race/ethnicity.

Highlights

Phthalates are found in a wide range of household, consumer, and personal care products [1]
Levels of serum triglycerides and glucose were the highest among Mexican/Hispanic men, whereas high blood pressure and smoking were more common among Black men
Among women (Table 2), White women were slightly older, more educated, with a higher socioeconomic status, and higher proportion of current smokers compared with Black and Mexican/Hispanic women

Summary

Introduction

Phthalates are found in a wide range of household, consumer, and personal care products [1]. Low molecular weight (LMW) phthalates, including diethyl phthalate (DEP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), are used as solvents in personal care products such as fragrances, lotions, and cosmetics, as well as in pharmaceutical coatings [1,2], whereas high molecular weight (HMW) phthalates, including Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites, are commonly used as plasticizers in food packaging materials, consumer products, and medical devices [1,2]. Increased use of personal care products, such as cosmetics, fragrances, and hair care products, may explain the higher phthalate metabolite levels among women [7,8]

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Discussion

Conclusion