The association between glyphosate exposure and metabolic syndrome among U.S. adults

Abstract

Introduction

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) poses a significant disease burden globally. Glyphosate is the most commonly used herbicide in the United States, and exposure is believed to adversely affect metabolic organs may contribute to MetS. Currently, the relationship between glyphosate exposure and MetS in the United States is unknown.

Methods

Data was leveraged from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Urinary glyphosate was quantified as exposure. MetS was defined according to criteria from the American Heart Association. Chi-square, Analysis of Variance, and multivariable, weighted linear and logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the relationship between glyphosate and MetS.

Results

A total of 338 adults were included in the final analyses. The prevalence of MetS was 19%. Continuous glyphosate was positively associated with MetS (OR = 2.24 95%CI [1.23, 4.08]). Stratification of total glyphosate into quartiles revealed increased odds of MetS among adults fourth quartiles, using the first quartile as the reference (OR = 1.17 95%CI [0.47, 2.89], OR = 1.56 95%CI [0.55, 4.55], OR = 3.29 95%CI [1.38, 7.42], for quartiles 2, 3, and 4, respectively).

Conclusions

Our study represents the first investigation evaluating the relationship between general population-level glyphosate exposure and MetS prevalence. Future studies are warranted to validate these findings and to investigate mechanisms underlying these associations.

Keywords:

• Glyphosate
• metabolic syndrome
• risk assessment
• epidemiology

Acknowledgments

Not applicable.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Health information collected in the NHANES is kept in strictest confidence. During the informed consent process, survey participants were assured that data collected will be used only for stated purposes and will not be disclosed or released to others without the consent of the individual or the establishment in accordance with section 308(d) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 242 m).

Consent for publication

Participants in this study agreed to consent for publication in accordance with section 308(d) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 242 m).

Availability of data and materials

A full list of datasets supporting the results in this research article can be found at: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/continuousnhanes/default.aspx?BeginYear=2013.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no competing financial interests.

Authors’ contributions

Frank Glover is the primary author who drafted the manuscript, obtained references, performed most of the data analysis, and helped with the conceptualization of the study. Omar, Jean-Baptiste, Federico Belladelli, and Francesco Del Giudice all performed data analysis with the regression models, obtained background information for references, and proof read the manuscript drafts. Wade Muncey, and Nicolas Seranio also performed extensive background research, as well as proofed all drafts of the manuscript and helped created figures and tables. Dr. Eisenberg provided guidance at the conceptualization stage, proofed all drafts of the manuscript, and helped perform regression analysis.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no external funding for this research study.