%0 Journal Article
%T Association of blood lead concentrations with mortality in older women: a prospective cohort study
%A Naila Khalil
%A John W Wilson
%A Evelyn O Talbott
%A Lisa A Morrow
%A Marc C Hochberg
%A Teresa A Hillier
%A Susan B Muldoon
%A Steven R Cummings
%A Jane A Cauley
%J Environmental Health
%D 2009
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1476-069x-8-15
%X Prospective cohort study of 533 women aged 65每87 years enrolled in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures at 2 US research centers (Baltimore, MD; Monongahela Valley, PA) from 1986每1988. Blood lead concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Using blood lead concentration categorized as < 8 米g/dL (0.384 米mol/L), and ≡ 8 米g/dL (0.384 米mol/L), we determined the relative risk of mortality from all cause, and cause-specific mortality, through Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.Mean blood lead concentration was 5.3 ㊣ 2.3 米g/dL (range 1每21) [0.25 ㊣ 0.11 米mol/L (range 0.05每1.008)]. After 12.0 ㊣ 3 years of > 95% complete follow-up, 123 (23%) women who died had slightly higher mean (㊣ SD) blood lead 5.56 (㊣ 3) 米g/dL [0.27(㊣ 0.14) 米mol/L] than survivors: 5.17(㊣ 2.0) [0.25(㊣ 0.1) 米mol/L] (p = 0.09). Women with blood lead concentrations ≡ 8 米g/dL (0.384 米mol/L), had 59% increased risk of multivariate adjusted all cause mortality (Hazard Ratio [HR], 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02每2.49) (p = 0.041) especially coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality (HR = 3.08 [CI], (1.23每7.70)(p = 0.016), compared to women with blood lead concentrations < 8 米g/dL(< 0.384 米mol/L). There was no association of blood lead with stroke, cancer, or non cardiovascular deaths.Women with blood lead concentrations of ≡ 8 米g/dL (0.384 米mol/L), experienced increased mortality, in particular from CHD as compared to those with lower blood lead concentrations.Lead is a multitargeted toxicant, affecting cardiovascular, renal and nervous systems, and may contribute to morbidity and mortality through its adverse impacts on these systems [1,2].An association between lead and mortality has been observed in both occupational and community based cohorts [3]. Results from the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II, 1976每1980) showed that blood lead concentration was an important predictor of mortality [4]. Individuals with baseline blood lead concentratio
%U http://www.ehjournal.net/content/8/1/15