Perfluoroalkyl substances are associated with elevated blood pressure and hypertension in highly exposed young adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Residents in a large area of North-Eastern Italy were exposed to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) via drinking water. Studies on the association between PFAS and blood pressure levels are limited, and results are inconsistent. Using cross-sectional data from the Regional health surveillance program, we aimed to quantify the associations between PFAS serum concentrations and blood pressure and hypertension prevalence.

Methods

The study comprised 16,224 individuals aged 20-39 years. Pregnant women (n = 327), or individuals with missing information on the selected covariates (n = 111) were excluded, leaving 15,786 subjects for the analyses. Hypertension was defined as any self-reported diagnosis, use of antihypertensive drugs, or elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP

SUBMITTER: Pitter G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7507812 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature