Jump to main content
US EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Search
Search
Main menu
Environmental Topics
Laws & Regulations
About EPA
Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)
Contact Us
Print
Feedback
Export to File
Search:
This record has one attached file:
Add More Files
Attach File(s):
Display Name for File*:
Save
Citation
Tags
HERO ID
5188935
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Changes in plasma levels of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are related to increase in carotid intima-media thickness over 10 years - a longitudinal study
Author(s)
Lind, PM; Salihovic, S; Stubleski, J; Kärrman, A; Lind, L
Year
2018
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
Environmental Health
EISSN:
1476-069X
Publisher
BioMed Central
Volume
17
Issue
1
Page Numbers
59
Language
English
PMID
29970113
DOI
10.1186/s12940-018-0403-0
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
It has previously been reported that the environmental contaminants perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are linked to atherosclerosis in cross-sectional studies. Since cross-sectional studies could be subject to reverse causation, the purpose of this study was to analyze if the longitudinal changes in PFASs during a 10-year follow-up were related to the change in carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT, ultrasound) during the same period.
METHODS:
In the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study, 1016 individuals were investigated at age 70; 826 of them were reinvestigated at age 75 and 602 at age 80 years. Eight different PFASs were measured in plasma by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), and IMT was measured at all three time points. Random-effects mixed regression models were used to examine the associations over time.
RESULTS:
IMT increased 0.058 mm during the 10-year period (p < 0.0001). Following adjustment for baseline values of PFASs (age 70) and sex, the changes in plasma levels of 6 of the 8 measured PFASs were significantly related to the change in IMT over the 10-year follow-up period in a positive fashion (p < 0.0062 using Bonferroni correction for 8 tests). Further adjustment for traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors (HDL and LDL cholesterol, smoking, systolic blood pressure, statin use, fasting glucose and serum triglycerides) affected these relationships only marginally.
CONCLUSION:
The change in plasma levels of several PFASs during 10 years was positively related to increase in IMT seen during the same period, giving prospective evidence that PFASs might interfere with the atherosclerotic process.
Keywords
Carotid arteries; Mass spectrometry; Software; Acids; Stroke; Family medical history; Perfluoroalkyls; Age; Heart attacks; Studies; Plasma levels; Health risk assessment; Cholesterol; Cardiovascular disease; Veins & arteries; Scientific imaging; Methods; Older people; Chromatography; Automation; Fasting; Atherosclerosis; Ultrasonic imaging; Correlation analysis
Tags
PFAS
•
Additional PFAS (formerly XAgency)
Literature Search November 2019
Other Sources
TEDX
Screened Studies
Included
Include (TIAB)
Excluded
Exclude (Full Text)
•
Expanded PFAS SEM (formerly PFAS 430)
Litsearch: September 2019
Other Sources
PFAS TOX Database
Screened Studies
Included
Include (TIAB)
Excluded
Exclude (Full Text)
•
PFAS 150
Literature Search August 2019
Other sources
Reference list review of included studies
PFAS TOX Database
•
PFDA
June 2022 Pelch Database
Submitted to EPA
Literature Searches (through April 2023 update and post-public comment/peer review)a
Other
Published PFAS SEMs
Title & Abstract Screening
Tagged as Supplemental
Full Text Screening
Studies Meeting PECO
Human health effects studies
•
PFHxS
Database searches
Pelch PFAS SEM
Excluded
TiAb
Literature Search Update April 2023
Included Met PECO
•
PFNA
Literature Search
Toxline
PFNA May 2019 Update
Toxnet
Title and Abstract Screening
Full Text Screening
Studies Meeting PECO
Human health effects studies
June 2022 Pelch Database
Home
Learn about HERO
Using HERO
Search HERO
Projects in HERO
Risk Assessment
Transparency & Integrity