Middle-aged women exposed to a combination of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) called “forever and everywhere chemicals” develop diabetes, as well as the increased risk associated with overweight. New studies show that the risk is high and even higher than the risks associated with smoking.
“This is the first study to investigate the joint effect of PFAS on the development of diabetes,” said lead authors Sung Kyun Park, ScD and MPH. Medscape Medical News..
“Multiple PFAS as a mixture have been shown to have a greater impact than individual PFAS,” said Park, Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
“Given that 1.5 million Americans are newly diagnosed with diabetes each year in the United States, about 370,000 new cases of diabetes each year in the United States are due to PFAS exposure,” Park said. The author states in a study. Release This week Diabetology..
However, Dr. Kevin McConway, an emeritus professor of applied statistics at the Open University in the United Kingdom, told the British Center for Scientific Media:[Some] There is still suspicion about the cause.Yes, this study was done by PFAS May It increases the risk of diabetes in middle-aged women, but it certainly cannot rule out other explanations for its discovery. “
Is there a way to reduce the exposure?
Known to be ubiquitous in the environment and often referred to as an “endocrine disruptor” chemical, PFAS has a fatty acid-like structure.They have been detected in the blood of most people and are associated with health concerns, including: EclampsiaChanges in liver enzyme levels, inflammation, changes in lipid and glucose metabolism.
Sources of PFAS exposure can range from non-stick cookware, food wrapping paper, tarpaulins to cosmetics and even drinking water.
The author notes recent Consumer report Research For example, of 118 food packaging products, all fast food chains and retailer packages, including health-focused chains such as Burger King, McDonald’s, and even Trader Joe, contain PFAS chemicals. Has been reported.
Efforts are underway to put pressure on the industry to limit PFAS in products, but Park said, “Since the reduction of PFAS exposure at the individual level is very limited, we have changed our policy to change our policy, air and beverages. Water, and food, etc. “
“It is impossible to completely avoid exposure to PFAS, but I think it is important to recognize such sources and change our mindset,” he said.
From a clinical practice perspective, the authors “it is also important for clinicians to recognize PFAS as an unrecognized risk factor for diabetes and to be prepared to advise patients on exposure sources and potential health effects.” I add.
Expected findings from the SWAN-MPS survey
The findings show that 1237 women with a median age of 49.4 years participated in the National Women’s Health Study-Multi-Contaminant Study (SWAN-MPS) between 1999 and 2000. Obtained from research. Until 2017.
Blood samples taken throughout the study were analyzed for serum levels of seven PFAS.
During the study period, there were 102 cases of diabetes, which is equivalent to 6 cases per 1000 person-years.The type of diabetes has not been identified, but given the age of the study participants, most people Type 2 diabetesPark and colleagues are careful.
After adjusting for key confusion factors including race / ethnicity, smoking status, alcohol consumption, total energy intake, physical activity, menopausal status, and body mass index (BMI), to all seven PFAS combinations People in the highest-exposure trisection people were significantly more likely to develop diabetes than those in the lowest-exposure trisection (hazard ratio). [HR]2.62).
This risk is greater than that seen in individual PFAS (HR, 1.36-1.85), suggesting a potential additive or synergistic effect of multiple PFAS on diabetes risk.
The association between combined exposure to PFAS between the highest and lowest tertiles was similar to the risk of developing diabetes among overweight individuals (BMI 25- <30 kg / m).2) Vs. Normal weight (HR, 2.89), and higher risk than current smokers and non-smokers (HR, 2.30).
“Our findings suggest that PFAS may be an important risk factor for diabetes with significant public health implications,” the authors say.
“Given the widespread exposure to PFAS in the general population, the expected benefits of reducing exposure to these ubiquitous chemicals may be considerable,” they emphasize.
Writers No relevant financial relationships have been reported.
Diabetology. Published April 11, 2022. overview
Follow us for news on diabetes and endocrinology twitter When Facebook.
