The impact of BMI on non-malignant respiratory symptoms and lung function in arsenic exposed adults of Northern Chile

Abstract

Background Elevated body mass index (BMI) and arsenic are both associated with cancer and with non-malignant lung disease. Using a unique exposure situation in Northern Chile with data on lifetime arsenic exposure, we previously identified the first evidence of an interaction between arsenic and BMI for the development of lung cancer. Objectives We examined whether there was an interaction between arsenic and BMI for the development of non-malignant lung disease. Methods Data on lifetime arsenic exposure, respiratory symptoms, spirometry, BMI, and smoking were collected from 751 participants from cities in Northern Chile with varying levels of arsenic water concentrations. Spirometry values and respiratory symptoms were compared across subjects in different categories of arsenic exposure and BMI. Results Adults with both a BMI above the 90th percentile (>33.9 kg/m2) and arsenic water concentrations ≥11 µg/L exhibited high odds ratios (ORs) for cough (OR=10.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.03, 50.1), shortness of breath (OR=14.2, 95% CI: 4.79, 52.4), wheeze (OR=14.4, 95% CI: 4.80, 53.7), and the combined presence of any respiratory symptom (OR=9.82, 95% CI: 4.22, 24.5). In subjects with lower BMIs, respiratory symptom ORs for arsenic water concentrations ≥11 µg/L were markedly lower. In never-smokers, reductions in forced vital capacity associated with arsenic increased as BMI increased. Analysis of the FEV1/FVC ratio in never-smokers significantly increased as BMI and arsenic concentrations increased. Similar trends were not observed for FEV1 alone or in ever-smokers. Conclusions This study provides preliminary evidence that BMI may increase the risk for arsenic-related non-malignant respiratory disease.

Toxic metal exposure as a possible risk factor for COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases

“…Another study has demonstrated that As-associated FVC reduction is observed on males ( Khan et al, 2020 ). In addition, overweight and obesity were shown to aggravate As-induced lung dysfunction ( Nardone et al, 2017 ). Moreover, impaired lung function in As-exposed children ( Ahmed et al, 2017 ) and adults ( Wang et al, 2020 ; Shih et al, 2020 ) was also associated with lung inflammation.…”

Health effects of arsenic exposure in Latin America: An overview of the past eight years of research

“…These studies found the relationship of As with hypertension, high cholesterol (Hall et al, 2017;Mendez et al, 2016) and reported presence of As in auricle and mammary artery tissues of As exposed CHD patients (Roman et al, 2011). Research also showed associations between As and decreased lung function and elevated respiratory symptoms (Dauphine et al, 2011;Nardone et al, 2017;Steinmaus et al, 2016). Multiple studies found negative influence of As on diabetes outcomes such as type 2 diabetes (Castriota et al, 2018;Del Razo et al, 2011) although no association was observed between As exposure and gestational diabetes (Munoz and Valdes, 2018).…”

“…A cross-sectional study of 751 adults aged 39-60 years from Northern Chile reported high BMI (above 90 th percentile or >33.9 kg/m 2 ) and high WAs above 11 μg/L to be risk factors for respiratory symptoms. The study revealed an increased risk of respiratory symptoms such as cough (OR=10.7, 95% CI: 3.03, 50.1), shortness of breath (OR=14.2, 95% CI: 4.79, 52.4), and wheeze (OR=14.4, 95% CI: 4.80, 53.7) (Nardone et al, 2017) associated with high BMI and As exposure. Observations were similar in the same geographic region among 765 adults (>40 years), who spent 80% of their lives in three cities including Antofagasta.…”

Positive Rates and Factors Associated with Abnormal Lung Function of Greenhouse Workers in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…As shown in Table 1 , VC and FVC were higher than normal value in all BMI subgroups expect for BMI < 18.5 group. Previous studies showed that FVC% had positive relationship with BMI in children while had negative association with BMI in normal and overweight adults [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Low level of lung function detected in this study may be attributed to malnutrition during childhood and the consequently low BMI at the adult stage.…”