title: [The role of long-term exposure to lead in the pathogenesis of hypertension--review of epidemiologic studies].
abstract: Epidemiological studies aimed at assessing the relationship between a long-term exposure to lead and hypertension were reviewed. The analysis of mortality based on blood lead levels (600-800 micrograms/l) indicated that the magnitude of exposure to lead was in general rather high. Deaths caused by cerebrovascular diseases proved to be the main risk in this group of population. The confirmation of this finding was looked for in studies of morbidity carried out in the working population and among people living in areas of high exposure to lead. The studies confirmed a significant relationship between the magnitude of exposure to lead and the level of systolic pressure. During those studies it was also attempted to monitor main confounding factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption. A clinical effect, namely an increased systolic pressure was, however, very low not exceeding several mm Hg and in terms of the difference in blood lead levels was equal to 10 micrograms/l. Despite all efforts mechanisms responsible for an increased pressure resulting from exposure to lead have not yet been identified. It seems most likely that disorders in metabolism of calcium ions leading to a spasm of muscular coat of vessels are a causal factor. There is an urgent need for assessing delayed effects of exposure to lead. Such studies should be performed in groups of persons with good evidence to prove their exposure to this factor. It would be helpful to describe individual doses corresponding to the magnitude of exposure to individual persons under study but that seems to be rather impossible in retrospective studies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Zakładu Epidemiologii, Instytut Medycyny Pracy, Lodzi.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hanke
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Szeszenia-Dabrowska
mesh_terms: D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016495:Police; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D007854:Lead
vernacular_title: Rola przewlekłej ekspozycji na ołów w powstawaniu nadciśnienia tetniczego--przeglad badań epidemiologicznych.