Korean J Fam Med.  2017 Jul;38(4):233-238. 10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.4.233.

The Relationship between the Blood Level of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Common Gastrointestinal Symptoms

• Kim HM
• Youn CH
• Ko HJ
• Lee SH
• Lee YM

• KMID: 2390346
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.4.233

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic materials that cannot be broken down naturally and that easily accumulate in the body. Although several studies have attempted to uncover the effects of POPs on the endocrine and nervous systems and on cancer, few focus on the relationship between low-dose POPs and public health. Here, we attempt to determine the relationship between the level of POPs and common gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and constipation.
METHODS
We recruited 121 subjects who visited Kyungpook National University Medical Center for health screening. Plasma concentrations were evaluated for 40 kinds of POPs including 17 types of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 23 types of organochlorine pesticides (OCP). Furthermore, the Korean version of the Rome III criteria was used to identify gastrointestinal symptoms.
RESULTS
Based on our results, abdominal discomfort showed an inverse relationship with several PCBs and an inverted U-shaped relationship with several other OCPs including pp-DDD and pp-DDT. The effects of pp-DDD and pp-DDT on abdominal discomfort were similar to those of OCPs on obesity and metabolic syndrome.
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that mild and unspecified gastrointestinal symptoms with no clear causes could be related to POP levels.

Keyword

Persistent Organic Pollutants; Abdominal Discomfort; Diarrhea; Constipation

MeSH Terms

Academic Medical Centers
Constipation
Diarrhea
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Mass Screening
Nervous System
Obesity
Pesticides
Plasma
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Public Health
Pesticides
Polychlorinated Biphenyls