Associations of dichlorophenol with metabolic syndrome based on multivariate-adjusted logistic regression: A U.S. nationwide population-based study 2003-2016

Abstract Background Para-dichlorobenzene (p-DCB) exposure associated with oxidative stress has indeed raised public concerns. However, whether p-DCB is linked with metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the associations of exposure to p-DCB with MetS prevalence. Methods We included 10,428 participants (5,084 men and 5,344 women) adults (aged ≥ 20 years) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003–2016). The cases of MetS were diagnosed by NCEP/ATPIII. Logistic regression models were conducted to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of MetS prevalence. Results We documented 2,861 (27.1%) MetS cases. After adjustment for the potential risk factors, the ORs (95% CI) of MetS prevalence across the quartile of urinary 2,5-dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP) were 1.09 (0.93–1.28), 1.22 (1.00-1.49), and 1.34 (1.04–1.73). Moreover, 2,5 DCP is significantly associated with a higher prevalence of abdominal obesity. We further examined that 2,5 DCP was correlated with higher systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, and glycohemoglobin and a lower high density cholesterol. In addition, the significant positive associations between 2,5 DCP and MetS were robust in the subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Conclusion These findings indicated that increased urinary p-DCB concentration, especially 2,5 DCP, had a higher MetS prevalence.