A cross sectional pilot study to assess the role of phthalates on respiratory morbidity among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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Abstract

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) affects ∼16 million U.S. adults. Phthalates, synthetic chemicals in consumer products, may adversely impact pulmonary function and airway inflammation; however, their role on COPD morbidity remains unknown. Objective: We examined associations between phthalate exposures and respiratory morbidity among 40 COPD patients who were former smokers. Methods: We quantified 11 phthalate biomarkers in urine samples collected at baseline in a 9-month prospective cohort study in Baltimore, Maryland. COPD baseline morbidity measures included: health status and quality of life measures (CAT: COPD Assessment Test, CCQ: Clinical COPD Questionnaire, SGRQ: St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire; mMRC: Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale), and lung function. Information on prospective exacerbation data was monitored monthly during the 9-month longitudinal follow-up period. To examine associations between morbidity measures and phthalate exposures, we used multivariable linear and Poisson regression models for continuous and count outcomes, respectively, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, and smoking pack-years. Results: Higher mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP) concentrations were associated with increased CAT(β, 2.41; 95%CI, 0.31–4.51), mMRC (β, 0.33; 95%CI 0.11–0.55), and SGRQ (β, 7.43; 95%CI 2.70–12.2) scores at baseline. Monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) was also positively associated with CCQ and SGRQ scores at baseline. Higher concentrations of the molar sum of Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were associated with increased incidence of exacerbations during the follow-up period (incidence rate ratio, IRR = 1.73; 95%CI 1.11, 2.70 and IRR = 1.94; 95%CI 1.22, 3.07, for moderate and severe exacerbations, respectively). MEP concentrations were inversely associated with incidence of exacerbations during the follow-up period. Conclusions: We found that exposure to select phthalates was associated with respiratory morbidity among COPD patients. Findings warrant further examination in larger studies given widespread phthalate exposures and potential implications for COPD patients should relationships observed be causal.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number115622
JournalEnvironmental research
Volume225
DOIs
StatePublished - May 15 2023

Keywords

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Endocrine disrupting compounds
  • Environmental exposure
  • Phthalates

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Environmental Science
  • Biochemistry

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