Abstract
Recent studies suggest potential adverse effects of methylmercury exposure on cardiovascular disease, although the evidence of association with hypertension is still inconsistent. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of methylmercury exposure on hypertension in Minamata. We used data derived from the 1971 population-based survey in Minamata and neighboring communities. We also utilized data on hair mercury content of the participants (derived from a 1960 investigation). We adopted two exposure indices (residential area and hair mercury content) and two hypertension outcomes (past history of hypertension and hypertension defined by measurements in the examination). Then, we estimated the adjusted prevalence odds ratio (POR) and its confidence interval (CI) of both hypertension outcomes in relation to residential area and hair mercury content. In the Minamata area (high exposure area), 87% (833) of the eligible population (aged ≥10 years) participated in the 1971 investigations. In the Goshonoura area (middle exposure area) and the Ariake area (low exposure area), 93% (1450) and 77% (755), respectively, of the eligible population participated. Compared with subjects in the Ariake area, the subjects in the Minamata area manifested hypertension more frequently, and PORs observed for two hypertension outcomes were 1.6 (95% CI: 1.2-2.1) and 1.4 (95% CI: 1.1-1.9), respectively. Furthermore, dose-response trends with hair mercury content were observed for both hypertension outcomes. The present finding supports the causal relationship between methylmercury exposure and hypertension.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 40-46 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Environmental Research |
| Volume | 110 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2010 |
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Keywords
- Cardiovascular disease
- Epidemiological studies
- Hypertension
- Methylmercury poisoning
- Minamata disease
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Science(all)
- Biochemistry
Cite this
Long-term exposure to methylmercury and its effects on hypertension in Minamata. / Yorifuji, Takashi; Tsuda, Toshihide; Kashima, Saori; Takao, Soshi; Harada, Masazumi.
In: Environmental Research, Vol. 110, No. 1, 01.2010, p. 40-46.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Long-term exposure to methylmercury and its effects on hypertension in Minamata
AU - Yorifuji, Takashi
AU - Tsuda, Toshihide
AU - Kashima, Saori
AU - Takao, Soshi
AU - Harada, Masazumi
PY - 2010/1
Y1 - 2010/1
N2 - Recent studies suggest potential adverse effects of methylmercury exposure on cardiovascular disease, although the evidence of association with hypertension is still inconsistent. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of methylmercury exposure on hypertension in Minamata. We used data derived from the 1971 population-based survey in Minamata and neighboring communities. We also utilized data on hair mercury content of the participants (derived from a 1960 investigation). We adopted two exposure indices (residential area and hair mercury content) and two hypertension outcomes (past history of hypertension and hypertension defined by measurements in the examination). Then, we estimated the adjusted prevalence odds ratio (POR) and its confidence interval (CI) of both hypertension outcomes in relation to residential area and hair mercury content. In the Minamata area (high exposure area), 87% (833) of the eligible population (aged ≥10 years) participated in the 1971 investigations. In the Goshonoura area (middle exposure area) and the Ariake area (low exposure area), 93% (1450) and 77% (755), respectively, of the eligible population participated. Compared with subjects in the Ariake area, the subjects in the Minamata area manifested hypertension more frequently, and PORs observed for two hypertension outcomes were 1.6 (95% CI: 1.2-2.1) and 1.4 (95% CI: 1.1-1.9), respectively. Furthermore, dose-response trends with hair mercury content were observed for both hypertension outcomes. The present finding supports the causal relationship between methylmercury exposure and hypertension.
AB - Recent studies suggest potential adverse effects of methylmercury exposure on cardiovascular disease, although the evidence of association with hypertension is still inconsistent. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of methylmercury exposure on hypertension in Minamata. We used data derived from the 1971 population-based survey in Minamata and neighboring communities. We also utilized data on hair mercury content of the participants (derived from a 1960 investigation). We adopted two exposure indices (residential area and hair mercury content) and two hypertension outcomes (past history of hypertension and hypertension defined by measurements in the examination). Then, we estimated the adjusted prevalence odds ratio (POR) and its confidence interval (CI) of both hypertension outcomes in relation to residential area and hair mercury content. In the Minamata area (high exposure area), 87% (833) of the eligible population (aged ≥10 years) participated in the 1971 investigations. In the Goshonoura area (middle exposure area) and the Ariake area (low exposure area), 93% (1450) and 77% (755), respectively, of the eligible population participated. Compared with subjects in the Ariake area, the subjects in the Minamata area manifested hypertension more frequently, and PORs observed for two hypertension outcomes were 1.6 (95% CI: 1.2-2.1) and 1.4 (95% CI: 1.1-1.9), respectively. Furthermore, dose-response trends with hair mercury content were observed for both hypertension outcomes. The present finding supports the causal relationship between methylmercury exposure and hypertension.
KW - Cardiovascular disease
KW - Epidemiological studies
KW - Hypertension
KW - Methylmercury poisoning
KW - Minamata disease
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=71249119982&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=71249119982&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.envres.2009.10.011
DO - 10.1016/j.envres.2009.10.011
M3 - Article
C2 - 19922910
AN - SCOPUS:71249119982
VL - 110
SP - 40
EP - 46
JO - Environmental Research
JF - Environmental Research
SN - 0013-9351
IS - 1
ER -