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Environmental Nickel Exposure and Diabetes in a Nationally Representative Sample of US Adults
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Environmental Nickel Exposure and Diabetes in a Nationally Representative Sample of US Adults

Tyler J Titcomb, Buyun Liu, Hans‐Joachim Lehmler, Linda G Snetselaar and Wei Bao
Exposure and health, Vol.13(4), pp.697-704
09/29/2021
DOI: 10.1007/s12403-021-00413-9
PMCID: PMC9175810
PMID: 35685677
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/9175810View
Open Access

Abstract

Laboratory studies have shown that nickel exposure may adversely affect glucose metabolism. However, studies about the effects of environmental nickel exposure on diabetes pathogenesis in humans are sparse. We aimed to evaluate the association of urinary nickel concentrations, as a biomarker of environmental nickel exposure, and diabetes in a nationally representative sample of US adults. The data from a nationally representative population (n = 1585) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017–18 were used. Diabetes ( n  = 330) was defined as self-reported physician’s diagnosis, HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL, or 2-h plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL. Urinary nickel concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Logistic regression with sample weights was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) of diabetes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Urinary nickel concentrations were higher in individuals with diabetes (weighted median 1.23 μg/L) than those without diabetes (1.01 μg/L). After adjustment for urinary creatinine and other risk factors for diabetes, the OR of diabetes comparing the highest with lowest quartile of urinary nickel concentrations was 2.70 (95% CI 1.39–5.24; P trend  = 0.03). Environmental nickel exposure is positively and significantly associated with diabetes in U.S. adults.
Aquatic Pollution Earth and Environmental Science Environment Environmental Health General Original Paper Pollution Waste Water Technology Water and Health Water Management Water Pollution Control Water Quality/Water Pollution

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