title: Continuous lead exposure increases blood pressure but does not alter kidney function in adults 20-44 years of age in a lead-polluted region of China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the relationships among blood lead levels, blood pressure and kidney function in a population-based sample of adults in an area of China with lead pollution.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study included a sample of 1447 adults older than 20 years of age who underwent physical examinations in hospitals within a lead-polluted area of China from January to December 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blood lead levels were high among the local population (152.47µg/L) and did not change with age (P=.182). Overall, changes in both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood Pressure (DBP) were associated with changes in blood lead level (P=.012, P=.001), whereas BUN and CCr did not change along with the blood lead level (P>.05). This relationship was strongest among people 20-45 years of age; in this group, the beta coefficients for SBP and DBP were 0.009 (0.003), P=.001 and 0.005 (0.002), P=.004, respectively. Compared with young men, young women's blood pressures were more affected by blood lead levels (beta for SBP=0.031 for women vs. 0.008 for men; beta for DBP=0.015 for women vs. 0.005 for men).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continuous lead exposure causes increased blood lead levels among local residents. Blood lead levels are positively associated with both SBP and DBP increases among adults aged 20-44 years. The relationships between blood lead levels and SBP and DBP are most pronounced in young women. Chronic saturnism does not increase blood pressure by altering kidney function. These results provide support for continued efforts to control blood pressure in the population living in a lead-polluted region of China, particularly in young women.
authors.affiliation: Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Yao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Xing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Qihong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Yizhu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Haijiang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Xingping
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ning
authors.forename: Jialun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Xiaohui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D002681:China; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007854:Lead; D003404:Creatinine