Non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls and risk of endometriosis

Trabert, B; De Roos, AJ; Schwartz, SM; Peters, U; Scholes, D; Barr, DB; Holt, VL

HERO ID

1597503

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2010

Language

English

PMID

20423815

HERO ID 1597503
In Press No
Year 2010
Title Non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls and risk of endometriosis
Authors Trabert, B; De Roos, AJ; Schwartz, SM; Peters, U; Scholes, D; Barr, DB; Holt, VL
Journal Environmental Health Perspectives
Volume 118
Issue 9
Page Numbers 1280-1285
Abstract <strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Endometriosis, a gynecologic disorder affecting 8-10% of reproductive-age women in the United States, is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and is linked to pelvic pain and infertility. Environmental contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are hypothesized to contribute to endometriosis risk through effects on steroid hormones.<br /><br /><strong>OBJECTIVE: </strong>We evaluated serum concentrations of certain noncoplanar PCBs, which have no or only weak dioxin-like properties, as risk factors for endometriosis.<br /><br /><strong>METHODS: </strong>In a case-control study of Group Health enrollees in western Washington State, 20 PCB congeners were measured in serum from surgically confirmed endometriosis cases that were newly diagnosed between 1996 and 2001 (n = 251) and from female controls matched for age and reference year (n = 538).<br /><br /><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Summed and estrogenic PCB concentrations were not associated with endometriosis risk [summed: odds ratio (OR) = 1.3; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.8-2.2; estrogenic: OR = 1.1; 95% CI, 0.8-1.4]. Although several congener-specific ORs were statistically above or below the null (PCB 170: third quartile vs. lowest: OR = 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3-0.9; PCB 196: third quartile vs. lowest: OR = 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.7; PCB 201: second vs. lowest: OR = 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3-0.8; third quartile vs. lowest: OR = 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.7), there were no overall consistent patterns of endometriosis risk.<br /><br /><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>Taken in context with other North American studies, our findings suggest that noncoplanar PCB concentrations consistent within the range of exposure currently observed in western Washington State do not contribute meaningfully to endometriosis risk.
Doi 10.1289/ehp.0901444
Pmid 20423815
Wosid WOS:000281621500016
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword case-control; endometriosis; non-dioxin-like PCBs; population-based; risk factors