Phthalate Exposure May Increase Diabetes Risk in Women

TUESDAY, Feb. 14, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Certain phthalate metabolites are associated with an increased incidence of diabetes in women, especially among White women, according to a study published online Feb. 8 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Mia Q. Peng, M.P.H., from the University of Michigan School of Public Health in Ann Arbor, and colleagues examined whether phthalate exposure was associated with an increased incidence of diabetes among 1,308 women without diabetes in 1999 to 2000 who were followed for six years. Eleven phthalate metabolites were measured in 1999 to 2000 and 2002 to 2003. The hazard ratio of diabetes associated with each phthalate metabolite was estimated.

The researchers found that 61 women developed diabetes over six years, for a cumulative incidence of 4.7 percent. Several high molecular weight phthalate metabolites were associated with a higher incidence of diabetes among all women, but none were statistically significant. Effect modification was seen by race/ethnicity. Each doubling of the concentrations of mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), monobenzyl phthalate, mono-carboxyoctyl phthalate, mono-carboxyisononyl phthalate (MCNP), and mono(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate was associated with a 30 to 63 percent higher incidence of diabetes among White women (hazard ratios, 1.30 and 1.63 for MCNP and MiBP, respectively). In Black or Asian women, phthalates were not associated with diabetes incidence.

"Our research found phthalates may contribute to a higher incidence of diabetes in women, especially White women, over a six-year period," a coauthor said in a statement. "People are exposed to phthalates daily increasing their risk of several metabolic diseases. It's important that we address endocrine-disrupting chemicals now as they are harmful to human health."

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