직업적 연노출이 간기능 지표에 미치는 영향 = The Effects of Occupational Lead Exposure on Liver Function Indices

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Objectives : To evaluate the effect of lead on liver function indices in male lead workers.
Methods : Study subjects were 274 lead workers and 35 non-lead workers. Blood lead(PbB), blood zinc protoporphyrin(ZPP) and urinary δ-aminolevulinc acid(ALAU) were selected as parameters of lead exposure while aspartate aminotransferase(SGOT), alanine aminotransferase(SGPT) and ν-glutamyltransferase (ν-GTP) were chosen as parameters of liver function. Demographic information such as age and personal habit of smoking and drinking was collected. Work duration of lead workers was also obtained.
Results : The mean of SGOT in lead workers was significantly higher than in controls (p<0.01). After adjusting for possible confounders(age, work duration, smoking and drinking status), blood lead was significantly and positively associated with SGOT (p<0.01) and showed borderline significance on ν-GTP (p=0.068). In the logistic regression analysis on abnormal liver function (SGOT>40 IU/L or SGPT>35 IU/L or ν-GTP>62 IU/L), odds ratios of abnormal liver function were 2.65 (95% C.I.: 0.845-8.322) in the moderate lead-exposed group(PbB: 20-39㎍/dl) and 4.38 (95% C.I.: 1.138-16.829) in the high lead-exposed group(PbB: above 40㎍/dl). There was a dose-response relationship according to lead-exposure levels.
Conclusions : These findings suggest that exposure to lead has an effect on liver function in male lead workers.