Abstract
Background/Purpose: Chromium and nickel are important soil pollutants in Taiwan. Previously, we showed that blood chromium levels correlated strongly with soil chromium levels. Our observation that many patients with dry eyes or a dry mouth came from areas where soils contain high chromium levels prompted us to investigate whether incidence and prevalence of SS are higher in areas where soils contain high levels of heavy metals. Methods: We used a database from national health insurance (NHI) to study the epidemiology of SS. It was ascertained by at least 3 hospital visits with the diagnosis within 12 months. We then compared the results with the information about heavy metal contents in farm soils. Results: The incidence of SS was significantly increased (3.6 fold) in the areas where soils contained high levels of chromium and nickel. In contrast, lead, copper, or arsenic did not show such a strong association. Conclusion: Both the prevalence and incidence of SS are significantly increased in areas where soils contain high levels of chromium and nickel. Whether heavy metal, particularly chromium or nickel is a novel environmental risk factor for sicca syndrome needs more studies to confirm.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 685-690 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of the Formosan Medical Association |
| Volume | 117 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 Aug 1 |
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- Medicine(all)
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Incidence of sicca syndrome is 3.6 fold higher in areas with farm soils high in chromium and nickel. / Lian, Iebin; Wen, Ie Ran; Su, Che Chun.
In: Journal of the Formosan Medical Association, Vol. 117, No. 8, 01.08.2018, p. 685-690.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Incidence of sicca syndrome is 3.6 fold higher in areas with farm soils high in chromium and nickel
AU - Lian, Iebin
AU - Wen, Ie Ran
AU - Su, Che Chun
PY - 2018/8/1
Y1 - 2018/8/1
N2 - Background/Purpose: Chromium and nickel are important soil pollutants in Taiwan. Previously, we showed that blood chromium levels correlated strongly with soil chromium levels. Our observation that many patients with dry eyes or a dry mouth came from areas where soils contain high chromium levels prompted us to investigate whether incidence and prevalence of SS are higher in areas where soils contain high levels of heavy metals. Methods: We used a database from national health insurance (NHI) to study the epidemiology of SS. It was ascertained by at least 3 hospital visits with the diagnosis within 12 months. We then compared the results with the information about heavy metal contents in farm soils. Results: The incidence of SS was significantly increased (3.6 fold) in the areas where soils contained high levels of chromium and nickel. In contrast, lead, copper, or arsenic did not show such a strong association. Conclusion: Both the prevalence and incidence of SS are significantly increased in areas where soils contain high levels of chromium and nickel. Whether heavy metal, particularly chromium or nickel is a novel environmental risk factor for sicca syndrome needs more studies to confirm.
AB - Background/Purpose: Chromium and nickel are important soil pollutants in Taiwan. Previously, we showed that blood chromium levels correlated strongly with soil chromium levels. Our observation that many patients with dry eyes or a dry mouth came from areas where soils contain high chromium levels prompted us to investigate whether incidence and prevalence of SS are higher in areas where soils contain high levels of heavy metals. Methods: We used a database from national health insurance (NHI) to study the epidemiology of SS. It was ascertained by at least 3 hospital visits with the diagnosis within 12 months. We then compared the results with the information about heavy metal contents in farm soils. Results: The incidence of SS was significantly increased (3.6 fold) in the areas where soils contained high levels of chromium and nickel. In contrast, lead, copper, or arsenic did not show such a strong association. Conclusion: Both the prevalence and incidence of SS are significantly increased in areas where soils contain high levels of chromium and nickel. Whether heavy metal, particularly chromium or nickel is a novel environmental risk factor for sicca syndrome needs more studies to confirm.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85046787390&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jfma.2018.04.008
DO - 10.1016/j.jfma.2018.04.008
M3 - Article
C2 - 29743147
AN - SCOPUS:85046787390
VL - 117
SP - 685
EP - 690
JO - Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
JF - Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
SN - 0929-6646
IS - 8
ER -