Dataset Information

Prevalence of arsenic exposure and skin lesions. A population based survey in Matlab, Bangladesh.

ABSTRACT:

Study objective

To assess prevalence of arsenic exposure through drinking water and skin lesions, and their variation by geographical area, age, sex, and socioeconomic conditions.

Design, setting, and participants

Skin lesion cases were identified by screening the entire population above 4 years of age (n = 166,934) living in Matlab, a rural area in Bangladesh, during January 2002 and August 2003. The process of case identification involved initial skin examinations in the field, followed by verification by physicians in a clinic, and final confirmation by two independent experts reviewing photographs. The tubewell water arsenic concentrations (n = 13,286) were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Drinking water history since 1970 was obtained for each person. Exposure information was constructed using drinking water histories and data on water arsenic concentrations.

Main results

The arsenic concentrations ranged from <1 to 3644 microg/l, and more than 70% of functioning tubewells exceeded the World Health Organisation guideline of 10 microg/l. Arsenic exposure had increased steadily from 1970s to the late 1990s, afterwards a decrease could be noted. In total, 504 skin lesions cases were identified, and the overall crude prevalence was 3/1000. Women had significantly higher cumulative exposure to arsenic, while men had significantly higher prevalence of skin lesions (SMR 158, 95% CI 133 to 188). The highest prevalence occurred in 35-44 age groups for both sexes. Arsenic exposure and skin lesions had a positive association with socioeconomic groups and achieved educational level.

Conclusions

The result showed sex, age, and socioeconomic differentials in both exposure and skin lesions. Findings clearly showed the urgency of effective arsenic mitigation activities.

SUBMITTER: Rahman M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2465558 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Prevalence of arsenic exposure and skin lesions. A population based survey in Matlab, Bangladesh.

Rahman Mahfuzar M Vahter Marie M Wahed Mohammad Abdul MA Sohel Nazmul N Yunus Mohammad M Streatfield Peter Kim PK El Arifeen Shams S Bhuiya Abbas A Zaman Khalequz K Chowdhury A Mushtaq R AM Ekström Eva-Charlotte EC Persson Lars Ake LA

Journal of epidemiology and community health 20060301 3

<h4>Study objective</h4>To assess prevalence of arsenic exposure through drinking water and skin lesions, and their variation by geographical area, age, sex, and socioeconomic conditions.<h4>Design, setting, and participants</h4>Skin lesion cases were identified by screening the entire population above 4 years of age (n = 166,934) living in Matlab, a rural area in Bangladesh, during January 2002 and August 2003. The process of case identification involved initial skin examinations in the field, ...[more]

PMID: 16476755

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Project description:As a nonmutagenic human carcinogen, arsenic (As)'s carcinogenic activity is likely the result of epigenetic changes, particularly alterations in DNA methylation. While increasing studies indicate a potentially important role for timing of As exposure on DNA methylation patterns and the subsequent differential risks for As toxicity and carcinogenesis, there is a lack of research that tackles these critical questions, particularly in human based populations. Here we reported a family-based study including three generations, in which each generation living in the same household had a distinctive timing of As exposure: in adulthood, in utero and during early childhood, and in germlines exposure for grandparents, parents, and grandchildren, respectively. We generated genome-wide DNA methylation data for 18 As-exposed families, nine control families, as well as 18 arsenical skin lesion patients. Our analysis showed that As exposure may leave detectable DNA methylation changes even though exposure occurred decades ago, and the most significant changes of global DNA methylation were observed among patients afflicted with arsenical skin lesions. As exposure across generations shared common differentially methylated DNA loci and regions (744 DML and 15 DMRs) despite the distinctive exposure timing in each generation. Importantly, based on these DML, clustering analysis grouped skin lesion patients together with grandparents in exposed families in the same cluster, separated from grandparents in control families. Further analysis identified a number of DML and several molecular pathways that were significantly distinguished between controls, exposed populations, as well as skin lesion patients. Finally, our exploratory analysis suggested that some of these DML altered by As exposure, may have the potential to be inherited affecting not only those directly exposed but also later generations. Together, our results suggest that common DML and/or DMRs associated with an increased risk for disease development could be identified regardless of when exposure to As occurred during their life span, and thus may be able to serve as biomarkers for identifying individuals at risk for As-induced skin lesions and possible cancers.

Project description:ObjectivesWith the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases in low-income and middle-income countries, biological risk factors, such as hyperglycaemia, are a major public health concern in Bangladesh. Hyperglycaemia is an excess of glucose in the bloodstream and is often associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nationally representative data of hyperglycaemia prevalence starting from age ≥18 years are currently unavailable for Bangladeshi adults. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of hyperglycaemia among adults in Bangladesh aged ≥18 years.Study designCross-sectional, population-based study.Setting and participantsData for this analysis were collected in November to December 2015, from a population-based nationally representative sample of 1843 adults, aged ≥18 years, from both urban and rural areas of Bangladesh. Demographic information, capillary blood glucose, blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference and treatment history were recorded.Primary outcome measuresHyperglycaemia was defined as a random capillary blood glucose level of ≥11.1 mmol/L (ie, in the diabetic range) or currently taking medication to control type 2 diabetes, based on self-report.ResultsOverall, the prevalence of hyperglycaemia was 5.5% (95% CI 4.5% to 6.6%) and was significantly higher among urban (9.8%, 95% CI 7.7% to 12.2%) than rural residents (2.8%, 95% CI 1.9% to 3.9%). The age-standardised prevalence of hyperglycaemia was 5.6% (95% CI 4.6% to 6.8%). Among both urban and rural residents, the associated determinants of hyperglycaemia included hypertension and abdominal obesity. About 5% of the total population self-reported have been previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes; among these adults, over 25% were not taking medications to control their diabetes.ConclusionsOur study found that about 1 in 20 Bangladeshi adults aged ≥18 years have hyperglycaemia. To control and prevent the development of type 2 diabetes, data from this study can be used to inform public health programming and provide descriptive information on surveillance of progress towards controlling diabetes in Bangladesh.

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Dataset Information

Prevalence of arsenic exposure and skin lesions. A population based survey in Matlab, Bangladesh.

Study objective

Design, setting, and participants

Main results

Conclusions

Publications

Prevalence of arsenic exposure and skin lesions. A population based survey in Matlab, Bangladesh.

Similar Datasets

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