Chronic Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Diabetes Incidence: A Systematic Review

Chronic Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Diabetes Incidence: A Systematic Review
https://etd.library.emory.edu/view/record/pid/emory:919dz

Likita Aminu, MPH

Aim:The aim of this study was to conduct a review of the published studies assessing the association of diabetes with persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

Methods: A systematic review of existing literature was conducted. Original publications were retrieved from Medline data base using search engines such as Pubmed, Google scholar or Web of Science. The author retrieved 123 articles on diabetes and POPs. Out of these 54 publications were considered complete and were reviewed. Relevant information including age, sex, measures of association, population studied, and year/place of publication, statistical methods as well as exposure characteristics were extracted from the articles. These information were entered into Excel spreadsheet. Because there was significant heterogeneity in the data quantitative analysis was considered inappropriate and a qualitative analysis was conducted.

Results: The result showed adult women bear the brunt of the burden of diabetes associated with POPs. PCBs topped the list of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) associated with diabetes. PCBs was closely followed by p, p'-DDE and OC pesticides. There was significant association between persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and diabetes. obacco smoking, race/ethnicity, income, alcohol consumption, serum cholesterol, waist circumference and triglycerides. These potential confounders should be considered in future studies of the association between diabetes and POPs.

Conclusion: This review used systematic review methodology to provide an evidence-based evaluation of the relationship between persistent organic pollutants and diabetes. The result of this review shows the possibility of significant association between persistent organic pollutants and diabetes. Although methodologically sound methods of studies are needed to evaluate causality between persistent organic pollutants and diabetes, much has been gained from previous studies to establish the link between persistent organic pollutants and diabetes.