Environmental PCB exposure and risk of endometriosis.
BACKGROUND
Hormonally active environmental agents have recently been associated with the development of endometriosis.


METHODS
We undertook a study to assess the relationship between endometriosis, an estrogen-dependent gynaecological disease, and 62 individual polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) congeners. We enrolled 84 eligible women aged 18-40 years undergoing laparoscopy for study, which included an interview and blood specimen (n=79; 94%). Thirty-two women had visually confirmed endometriosis at laparoscopy while 52 did not. Blood specimens were run in batches of 14 including four quality control samples for toxicological analysis. Each PCB congener was adjusted for recovery; batch-specific reagent blanks were subtracted. All PCB concentrations were log transformed and expressed in ng/g serum first as a sum and then as tertiles by purported estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity of PCB congeners.


RESULTS
Using unconditional logistic regression analysis, a significantly elevated odds ratio (OR) was observed for women in the third tertile of anti-estrogenic PCBs [OR 3.77; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-12.68]. Risk remained elevated after controlling for gravidity, current cigarette smoking and serum lipids (OR 3.30; 95% CI 0.87-12.46).


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that anti-estrogenic PCBs may be associated with the development of endometriosis.
Louis
G M Buck
GM
Epidemiology Branch, Division of Epidemiology, Statistics & Prevention Research, National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. gb156i@nih.gov
Weiner
J M
JM
Whitcomb
B W
BW
Sperrazza
R
R
Schisterman
E F
EF
Lobdell
D T
DT
Crickard
K
K
Greizerstein
H
H
Kostyniak
P J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity*; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D012307:Risk Factors
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls