The Association between Pesticide Exposure and Neurological Signs and Symptoms in Farmers in Magelang District, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Excessive use of pesticides is known to cause neurotoxicity. Chronic effects of pesticide poisoning include neuropathy and tremors.
 AIM: This study aimed to determine the association between pesticide exposure and the occurrence of neurological signs and symptoms, especially neuropathy and tremor, in farmers.
 METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. The study location was Seloprojo Village, Ngablak District, Magelang Regency, Central Java Province. Farmers as subjects were recruited to determine neuropathy using Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom (DNS) and Diabetic Neuropathy Examination (DNE) scoring. Tremor events were measured with Tremor Rating Scale (TRS). Cholinesterase levels were examined using venous blood samples to determine the level of pesticide poisoning.
 RESULTS: Of the 120 farmers studied, 68.3% experienced pesticide poisoning with cholinesterase levels below normal values. Weakness of the upper limb was found in 10 subjects (8.33%), while weakness of the lower limbs was found in 6 subjects (5%). There were 59.2% farmers who met the neuropathy criteria from the DNS score and those who met the neuropathic criteria from the DNE score were 6.7%. Tremor symptoms were found in 71.7% of the farmers. There was no significant association between cholinesterase levels and DNS score (p = 0.737), but there were significantly lower levels of cholinesterase (p = 0.046) in the neuropathy group measured with DNE score. There was no significant association between cholinesterase levels and TRS (p = 0.204).
 CONCLUSION: Cholinesterase levels were significantly associated with neuropathy incidence measured with DNE criteria but statistically not related to tremors in farmers exposed to pesticides.

Pesticides Exposure and Thyroid Hormone Levels Among Agricultural Workers and Pesticide Applicators: A Systematic Review

“…This condition leads to an increase in the number of people specifically farmworkers and their families exposed to pesticides either during agricultural activities or at home even though proper personal protective equipment is worn (4). Some studies demonstrated a significant relationship between pesticide exposure and cancer risks (15)(16)(17), which include diseases persisting for a long time, such as insulin-dependent (6,(18)(19)(20), cardiac (21)(22), and neurological disorders (23)(24). Thyroid hormone disruption can cause organ disorders that are linked with many diseases (25).…”

Prevalence of CYP2C19 681G>A and 636G>A Gene Polymorphisms in Javanese Farmers Exposed to Chlorpyrifos

“…3,4 A recent report from a study on farmers in Central Java, Indonesia, revealed that 68.3% of participants had cholinesterase levels below the reference value indicating exposure to acetylcholinesterase inhibitor pesticides, and neuropathic symptoms were found in 59.2% of participants. 5 Previous studies have elucidated the critical role of CYP450 (CYP) in the human bio metabolism of xenobiotic substances. Human CYP is known to have several essential effects regarding its role as a catalyst in phase 1 xenobiotic metabolism and clearance.…”