Environ Health Toxicol.  2015 ;30(1):e2015002. 10.5620/eht.e2015002.

Association of urinary 3-phenoxybenzoic acid levels with self-reported depression symptoms in a rural elderly population in Asan, South Korea

• Kim B
• Jung A
• Yun D
• Lee M
• Lee MR
• Choi YH
• Kim Y
• Park C
• Hong YC
• Kim S

• KMID: 2380078
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5620/eht.e2015002

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to evaluate the association between presence of depression symptoms and the exposure level to insecticides among aged population in rural area, determined via measured levels of urinary 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), after controlling for socioeconomic confounding factors.
METHODS
Using a cross-sectional study design, we randomly recruited participants for our study (161 male and 239 female) from rural areas of Asan, Chungnam, Korea. Environmental risk factor exposure was assessed using a questionnaire, and gas chromatography- mass spectrometry was used to analyze urinary 3-PBA levels. We used a logistic regression analysis to assess the association of urinary 3-PBA levels with the presence of self-reported depression symptoms.
RESULTS
After controlling for creatinine levels, the median (interquartile range) concentration of 3-PBA was approximately 1.5 times (p<0.05) higher among female (1.54 [0.90 to 2.35]) mug/g) than among male (1.06 [0.64 to 1.81] mug/g). Our study found that among female participants, the unit increase in 3-PBA levels exhibited a likely positive association (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 1.25) with an increased risk of presence of self-reported depression symptoms, after adjusting for socioeconomic insurance type, daily physical condition, marital status, smoking status, and age.
CONCLUSIONS
Given our finding of a potential association between the presence of selfreported depression symptoms and 3-PBA levels, precautions should be considered to minimize exposure to insecticides and thus protect the health of aged residents in rural areas.

Keyword

Aging population; Depression; Insecticid; 3-Phenoxybenzoic acid

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Chungcheongnam-do*
Creatinine
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression*
Female
Humans
Insecticides
Insurance
Korea*
Logistic Models
Male
Marital Status
Mass Spectrometry
Risk Factors
Smoke
Smoking
Creatinine
Insecticides
Smoke