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Association of Diabetes Mellitus with a Combination of Vitamin D Deficiency and Arsenic Exposure in the Korean General Population: Analysis of 2008–2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data
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Research Article Association of Diabetes Mellitus with a Combination of Vitamin D Deficiency and Arsenic Exposure in the Korean General Population: Analysis of 2008–2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data
Byung-Kook Lee1, Yangho Kim2
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2013;25:7-7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-4374-25-7
Published online: May 21, 2013

1Institute of Environmental & Occupational Medicine, Soonchunhyang University 646 Eupnae-ri, Shinchang-myun, Asan-si, Choongnam, 336-745, South Korea

2Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, South Korea

• Received: October 8, 2012   • Accepted: February 18, 2013

Copyright © 2013 Lee and Kim; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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  • Objectives
    We present data from the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008–2009 on the combination of vitamin D deficiency and arsenic exposure on diabetes mellitus (DM) in a representative sample of the adult Korean population.
  • Methods
    This study was based on data obtained from the KNHANES 2008–2009, which was conducted for 3 years (2007–2009) using a rolling sampling design that involved a complex, stratified, multistage, probability-cluster survey of a representative sample of the non-institutionalized civilian population in South Korea.
  • Results
    Data analysis revealed that subjects who showed both vitamin D levels in the 1st quartile (Q) and urinary arsenic levels in the 4th Q, had a 302% increased risk of having DM, as compared with those whose vitamin D and urinary arsenic levels were in the 4th Q and 1st Q, respectively.
  • Conclusion
    The present study reconfirmed an association of DM with low vitamin D levels and arsenic exposure, and further showed a combination of vitamin D deficiency and arsenic exposure on DM in the general Korean population. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing a combination of vitamin D deficiency and arsenic exposure on DM. The present findings have important public health implications.
Socioeconomic development and changes in nutrition in the Republic of Korea between the late 1980s and 2005 were accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, from 3% to 7.3%, and increased concern about diabetes mellitus (DM) [1]. Increasing rates of DM worldwide suggest that the condition is related to environmental factors [2].
In epidemiological studies from Taiwan, Bangladesh, and Mexico, high chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic in drinking water (100 μg/L) has been shown to be associated with DM [3]–[9]. High chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic in occupational settings was also related to higher levels of glycated hemoglobin, a marker of blood glucose levels [10]. The effect of lower levels of exposure to inorganic arsenic on DM risk has also been reported [2,4,11,12]. In addition, our recent study showed an association between urinary arsenic and DM in the general Korean population [13].
Vitamin D plays an important role in bone and mineral metabolism, and its deficiency is closely associated with the occurrence of metabolic bone disease, such as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Recently, vitamin D has been drawing the interest of medical researchers due to its potential role in DM [14,15]. Several studies have suggested a link between low vitamin D status as measured by 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and the occurrence of DM [16]–[20].
Both arsenic exposure and vitamin D deficiency are commonly encountered public health issues [11,21]–[25]. However, the combined effect of vitamin D deficiency and arsenic exposure on DM has never been reported. We hypothesized an association of DM with a combination of vitamin D deficiency and arsenic exposure in the general Korean population. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis on the association of vitamin D and arsenic levels with DM status using the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008–2009 data set. Our study objective was to evaluate whether there is an association of DM with the combination of vitamin D deficiency and arsenic exposure in a representative sample of the adult Korean population.
Design and data collection
This study was based on data obtained from the KNHANES 2008–2009, which represents the second and third years of the KNHANES IV 2007–2009 survey. This survey was conducted for 3 years (2007–2009) using a rolling sampling design that involved a complex, stratified, multistage, probability-cluster survey of a representative sample of the non-institutionalized civilian population in South Korea. Detailed information on the design was provided previously [26]. Briefly, the survey consisted of three components: a health interview survey, a health examination survey, and a nutrition survey. For the present analysis, we used data from a total of 3393 adults (age ≥ 20 years) who participated in the health examination survey, had documented urinary arsenic measurements, and completed the nutrition survey. All participants provided written consent to participate in the study.
The Institutional Review Board requirement was waived because the KNHANES was conducted by the Korean government in accordance with the internationally agreed-upon ethical principles for the conduct of medical research.
Information on age, education, smoking history, alcohol intake, and regular exercise or walking was collected during the health interview. Height and weight measurements were performed with the participants wearing light clothing and no shoes. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters. The BMI was categorized into three groups: lean (BMI < 18.5), normal (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25), and obese (BMI ≥ 25). Age as reported at the time of the health interview was categorized into six groups. Residence area was categorized into urban areas (administrative divisions of a city) and rural areas (not classified as administrative divisions of a city).
Education level was categorized into three groups: below high school, high school, and some college or higher. Smoking status was divided into three categories: current smoker, past smoker, and never-smoker. Smoking status was defined based on self-reported cigarette use: Never-smokers had smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and participants who had smoked 100 or more cigarettes were classified as past or current smokers based on current use. Alcohol consumption was assessed by questioning the participants about their drinking behavior during the month prior to the interview. The participants were asked about their average frequency (days per month) of alcoholic beverage consumption and amount (in mL) of alcoholic beverages ingested on a single occasion. The responses were converted into the amount of pure alcohol (in g) consumed per day. The alcohol consumption status was categorized into four groups according to average daily alcohol consumption: non-drinker, light drinker (1–15 g), moderate drinker (16–30 g), and heavy drinker (> 30 g).
Information regarding the frequency of seafood consumption, including fish, shellfish, and seaweed, was obtained from the KNHANES 2008 nutrition survey, which was performed separately on different dates after the health examination. The nutrition survey listed 11 types of seafood that are consumed most frequently in Korea: mackerel, tuna, yellow fish, pollock, anchovies, seafood paste, squid, clams, pickled seafood, brown seaweed, and laver. The overall consumption frequency was categorized into three groups based on the consumption of at least one type of seafood on the nutrition survey checklist: less than once a week, once a week, and more than once a week.
Regular walking was defined as walking for 30 or more minutes at a time at least five times per week, regardless of indoors or outdoors. Regular exercise was defined as moderate exercise (swimming slowly, playing doubles tennis, volleyball, occupational or recreational activities of carrying light objects) on a regular basis for 30 or more minutes at a time at least five times per week or vigorous exercise (running, climbing, cycling fast, swimming fast, football, basketball, jump rope, squash, playing singles tennis, and occupational or recreational activities of carrying heavy objects) for 20 or more minutes at a time at least three times per week. The seasons were classified into four categories as follows: spring (March to May), summer (June to August), fall (September to November), and winter (December to February). DM was defined as a fasting glucose level ≥ 126 mg/dl, current use of anti-diabetic medications, or self-reported physician diagnosis of DM.
Measurement of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D)]
For the measurement of serum 25(OH)D, blood samples of individual participants were collected during the health examination survey. The blood samples were centrifuged, aliquoted, and frozen to −70°C on site. The frozen serum samples were transported on dry ice to the designated central laboratory of Neodin Medical Institute, a laboratory certified by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare in Seoul, Korea.
Blood samples were analyzed within 24 hours after transportation. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured using a gamma counter (1470 Wizard, Perkin-Elmer, Finland) with a radioimmunoassay (RIA) kit (DiaSorin, Stillwater, MN). Fasting blood samples were taken in the morning after at least an 8-h fast. Plasma glucose levels were measured using an autoanalyzer (Hitachi 7600 autoanalyzer; Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan).
Measurement of urinary arsenic (μg/g creatinine)
Spot urine samples for total arsenic in urine were collected at the time of health checkups. Total arsenic was measured in 0.1-mL samples of urine by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman background correction (Perkin Elmer AAS 600; Perkin Elmer, Singapore) [27]. All analyses of total urinary arsenic were creatinine-adjusted and performed by Neodin Medical Institute. For internal quality assurance and control, commercial reference materials were obtained from Bio-Rad (Lyphochek® Whole Blood Metals Control; Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA). The coefficients of variation were within 0.57%–3.20% for three reference samples of total arsenic (reference values: 66.0, 160.0, and 278.0 μg/L). As part of external quality assurance and control, the institute passed the German External Quality Assessment Scheme operated by Friedrich-Alexander University and also passed the Quality Assurance Program operated by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency. The institute also held a certified license from the Ministry of Labor as one of the designated laboratories for special chemicals, including heavy metals and certain organic chemicals. The method detection limit for total arsenic in urine in the present study was 2.584 μg/L. None of the urine samples had arsenic levels below the limit of detection.
Statistical analysis
Statistical analyses were performed using SAS (Version 9.22, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA) and SUDAAN (Release 10.0, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA), a software package that incorporates sample weights and adjusts analyses for the complex sample design of the survey. Survey sample weights were used in all analyses to produce estimates that were representative of the non-institutionalized civilian Korean population.
The adjusted means [95% confidence interval (CI)] of serum 25(OH)D and urinary arsenic were calculated by sex, age group, residence location, season, educational level, smoking status, drinking status, BMI, regular exercise, regular walking, seafood consumption, and DM after adjustment for all other variables in the analysis using the Proc Regress function in SUDAAN.
Next, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI values for having DM were calculated for three models using categories containing a combination of quartiles of 25(OH)D and urinary arsenic concentration (AsU) while controlling for age, BMI, sex, residence location, season, education level, smoking and drinking status, regular exercise and walking, and seafood consumption. The employed models were as follows:
Model 1: quartiles of 25(OH)D
Model 2: quartiles of AsU
Model 3: combination of quartiles of 25(OH)D and AsU: group 1): 25(OH)D 4th Q and AsU 1st Q; group 2): 25(OH)D 1st Q and AsU 4th Q.
The adjusted prevalence (%) and 95% CI were also obtained using the predicted marginal calculation after the same covariate adjustments for logistic regression analysis from Proc RLOGIST of SUDAAN and are presented in Figure 1, which depicts the graphical comparison of four different groups categorized by a combination of quartiles of 25(OH)D and AsU.
Figure 1
Prevalence (%) of diabetes mellitus in four groups classified by quartiles of vitamin D and urinary arsenic (AsU). (I: 4th Q of vitamin D and 1st Q of AsU, II: 1st Q of vitamin D, III: 4th Q of AsU, IV: 1st Q of vitamin D and 4th Q of AsU).
2052-4374-25-7-1.jpg
The arithmetic mean values and 95% CI of serum 25(OH)D and the geometric mean values and 95% CI of AsU of the study participants are listed in Table 1 by the categories of sex, age, residence location, season, education level, smoking and drinking status, BMI, regular exercise and walking, seafood consumption, and DM. The mean values were adjusted for all other variables in the table. Overall, the mean serum 25(OH)D and AsU for women (n = 1780) were 42.8 nmol/L (95% CI, 41.6–44.2 nmol/L) and 128.7 μg/g creatinine (95% CI, 122.8–134.8 μg/g creatinine), respectively, and the mean levels for men (n = 1613) were 49.8 nmol/L (95% CI, 48.3–51.3 nmol/L) and 101.1 μg/g creatinine (95 CI, 96.4–106.1 μg/g creatinine), respectively. The serum 25(OH)D level was significantly higher in men than in women, but the AsU was significantly lower in men than in women. Both levels were significantly higher with increasing age. The mean 25(OH)D levels of individuals living in rural areas were significantly higher than those in urban areas, but no difference was observed in the AsU between urban and rural areas. Individuals tested in the spring and winter, the seasons with the lowest amount of sun exposure, had significantly lower serum 25(OH)D levels than individuals tested in the seasons with the greatest amount of sun (i.e., summer and fall). On the other hand, the mean AsU levels were significantly higher in the winter as compared to the spring. While education level and BMI did not reveal any mean differences in either serum 25(OH)D or urinary arsenic, current smokers had significantly lower mean levels in both as compared with never-smokers. AsU levels were significantly higher in people who drink heavily as compared to those who did not drink. The mean levels of 25(OH)D were higher in people who walked or exercised regularly, and the mean levels of urinary arsenic were higher in people who ate more seafood. No mean difference in 25(OH)D was observed between diabetic statuses, while a significantly higher mean level of AsU was observed in diabetic subjects.
Table 1
Serum 25(OH)D and Urinary arsenic concentration, adjusted for all other variables in the table
Variables N Serum 25(OH)D
Urinary arsenic
AM (95% CI) p-value GM (95% CI) p-value
Sex
 
 
 
 
 
Men
1613
49.84 (48.34-51.34)
*
101.1 (96.42-106.1)
*
Women
1780
42.88 (41.62-44.15)
0.000
128.7 (122.8-134.8)
0.000
Age (years)
 
 
 
 
 
20-29
630
41.89 (40.12-43.66)
*
69.77 (64.74-75.20)
*
30-39
677
45.20 (43.50-46.90)
0.001
100.6 (94.77-106.9)
0.000
40-49
671
45.86 (44.37-47.36)
0.000
127.1 (119.5-135.2)
0.000
50-59
686
49.30 (47.50-51.10)
0.000
141.0 (132.4-150.1)
0.000
60+
729
48.57 (46.51-50.63)
0.000
155.1 (145.2-165.6)
0.000
Residence location
 
 
 
 
 
Urban
2616
44.81 (43.67-45.94)
*
114.4 (110.7-118.2)
*
Rural
777
51.30 (48.92-53.69)
0.000
116.9 (106.9-127.7)
0.671
Season
 
 
 
 
 
Spring
905
44.78 (43.23-46.33)
*
108.3 (101.5-115.5)
*
Summer
788
47.42 (45.57-49.27)
0.017
113.8 (107.5-120.6)
0.222
Fall
534
46.88 (44.99-48.76)
0.055
116.6 (109.0-124.7)
0.126
Winter
1166
45.98 (44.60-47.35)
0.232
120.2 (113.9-126.9)
0.027
Education level
 
 
 
 
 
Less than high school
1149
45.95 (44.15-47.76)
*
117.8 (110.9-125.2)
*
High school
1023
47.15 (45.72-48.58)
0.264
115.1 (109.1-121.4)
0.568
College and more
1221
45.48 (43.95-47.01)
0.706
112.4 (106.7-118.4)
0.289
Smoking status
 
 
 
 
 
Never-smoker
1872
46.73 (45.45-48.02)
*
120.0 (114.9-125.3)
*
Past smoker
691
47.13 (45.22-49.03)
0.727
115.5 (108.1-123.4)
0.372
Current smoker
825
44.06 (42.28-45.83)
0.014
103.7 (97.56-110.3)
0.000
Drinking status
 
 
 
 
 
No drink
905
44.78 (43.23-46.33)
*
108.3 (101.5-115.5)
*
Mild drink
788
47.42 (45.57-49.27)
0.017
113.8 (107.5-120.6)
0.222
Moderate drink
534
46.88 (44.99-48.76)
0.055
116.6 (109.0-124.7)
0.126
Heavy drink
1166
45.98 (44.60-47.35)
0.232
120.2 (113.9-126.9)
0.027
Body Mass Index
 
 
 
 
 
Lean
153
45.89 (42.93-48.84)
*
108.7 (96.52-122.4)
*
Normal
2162
46.12 (44.98-47.26)
0.876
114.8 (110.7-119.1)
0.382
Obese
1047
46.23 (44.92-47.54)
0.827
116.1 (110.5-122.1)
0.325
Regular exercise
 
 
 
 
 
Yes
534
48.95 (47.07-50.84)
*
111.4 (104.0-119.4)
*
No
2859
45.62 (44.59-46.65)
0.000
115.6 (111.8-119.5)
0.351
Regular walking
 
 
 
 
 
Yes
1629
47.14 (45.89-48.40)
*
115.0 (110.6-119.5)
*
No
1764
45.24 (44.06-46.42)
0.006
114.8 (110.3-119.5)
0.952
Seafood consumption
 
 
 
 
 
Less than once a week
310
47.76 (45.42-50.09)
*
103.5 (93.93-114.0)
*
Once a week
1031
45.47 (44.11-46.83)
0.069
111.0 (105.5-116.9)
0.223
More than once a week
2052
46.26 (45.11-47.41)
0.224
118.7 (114.6-122.9)
0.007
Diabetes
 
 
 
 
 
Yes
309
44.46 (42.00-46.91)
*
128.9 (117.3-141.8)
*
No 3084 46.30 (45.26-47.35) 0.148 113.7 (110.2-117.2) 0.011
*: reference group; AM, arithmetic mean; GM, geometric mean.
Subjects whose 25(OH)D levels were in the 1st Q category had a tendency toward an increased risk of having DM as compared with those whose 25(OH)D levels were in 4th Q although the difference was not statistically significant (model 1)(Table 2). The risk of having DM was 1.65 times higher in the group categorized as having urinary arsenic in the 4th Q, as compared with those who were in the category of AsU in the 1st Q (model 2). The risk of having DM was 3.02 times higher in the group categorized as 25(OH)D in the 1st Q and urinary arsenic in the 4th Q, as compared with those who were in the category of 25(OH)D in the 4th Q and AsU in the 1st Q (model 3).
Table 2
Adjusted OR (95% CI) of Korean adults having diabetes mellitus by category of combination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D quartile and urinary arsenic quartile, adjusted for covariates#
Model Independent variables Odds ratio 95% Confidence Interval
Model 1
 
Age (years)
1.060
1.046~1.074
 
Body mass index (kg/m2)
1.162
1.108~1.218
 
Sex
 
 
 
    Men
Ref
 
 
    Women
1.053
0.697~1.351
 
Quartile of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D
 
 
 
    1. 1st Q ( ≤ 30.02)
1.250
0.827~1.888
 
    2. 2nd Q (31.02 < Q ≤ 44.11)
1.395
0.931~2.091
 
    3. 3rd Q (44.11 < Q ≤ 55.99)
1.216
0.804~1.838
 
    4. 4th Q ( > 55.99)
Ref
 
Model 2
 
Age (years)
1.057
1.042~1.071
 
Body mass index (kg/m2)
1.163
1.108~1.220
 
Sex
 
 
 
    Men
Ref
 
 
    Women
1.015
0.679~1.518
 
Quartile of urinary arsenic
 
 
 
    1. 1st Q ( ≤ 69.67)
Ref
 
 
    2. 2nd Q (69.67 < Q ≤ 114.86)
1.056
0.646~1.727
 
    3. 3rd Q (114.86 < Q ≤ 159.48)
1.200
0.742~1.940
 
    4. 4th Q ( > 159.48)
1.654
1.038~1.518
Model 3
 
    Age (years)
1.074
1.026~1.123
 
    Body mass index (kg/m2)
1.260
1.134~1.400
 
Sex
 
 
 
    Men
Ref
 
 
    Women
0.776
0.239~2.519
 
Combination of Vitamin D & AsU
 
 
 
    1. Vitamin D 4thQ + AsU 1stQ
Ref
 
      2. Vitamin D 1stQ + AsU 4thQ 3.023 1.004~9.105
#Covariates: residence location (urban or rural), season, education level, smoking & drinking status, regular exercise & walking and seafood consumption; Q, quartile; AsU, urinary arsenic (g/g creatinine).
The adjusted prevalence (%) and 95% CI of DM were also obtained using predicted marginal calculations, and are presented in Figure 1 to depict the graphical comparison of the four different groups categorized with a combination of quartiles of 25(OH)D and AsU levels. Those whose 25(OH)D levels were in the 4th Q and AsU were in the 1st Q had a 5.29% prevalence of DM, whereas those in the worst group with levels in the 1st Q of 25(OH)D and 4th Q of AsU had a 12.19% prevalence of DM, respectively.
The present study focused on vitamin D deficiency and arsenic exposure, which are environmental risk factors for DM [4,11]–[20] and are commonly encountered public health issues [8,11,21]–[23,25].
In the present study, subjects whose 25(OH)D levels were in the 1st Q and whose AsU levels were in the 4th Q had a 302% increased risk of having DM as compared with those whose 25(OH)D and AsU levels were in the 4th Q and 1st Q, respectively. The overall prevalence of DM in our study population was 9.11% (309/3393). From predicted marginal calculations, the adjusted prevalence ranged from 5.29 to 12.19%, depending on the levels of 25(OH)D and AsU. The present study reconfirmed an association of DM with low vitamin D levels and arsenic exposure, and further showed an association of DM with the combination of vitamin D deficiency and arsenic exposure in the general Korean population. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing an association of DM with the combination of vitamin D deficiency and arsenic exposure.
Animal and in vitro model systems have indicated that arsenic exposure can potentially increase the risk of DM through inhibition of insulin-dependent glucose uptake [28] and insulin signaling [29], impairment of insulin secretion and transcription in pancreatic beta cells [30], and modification of the expression of genes involved in insulin resistance [30]. The mechanisms underlying the potential association between DM and 25(OH)D are unclear. The 25(OH)D level may have an impact on many factors, including pancreatic beta cell function, insulin action, and systemic inflammation [31]. Accumulating evidence indicates that vitamin D may be useful in the prevention and treatment of DM. Vitamin D supplementation in participants with vitamin D deficiency has been shown to result in improved glucose tolerance [32]. The mechanisms underlying the potential association of DM with the combination of 25(OH)D and arsenic remain to be clarified.
The present findings have several implications with respect to environmental health. First, the present results indicate the importance of assessing vitamin D levels or arsenic exposure when addressing their association with DM. Second, vitamin D deficiency may be critical for assessing the risk of DM in people living in regions in which arsenic exposure is endemic, or in the vicinity of highly contaminated areas, such as abandoned metal mines without strict environmental controls, or arsenic-emitting factories. Considering the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency [21]–[23], these findings have important public health implications in the general population.
The present study had several important strengths. First, we used serum 25(OH)D concentration as an indicator of vitamin D levels, which reflects vitamin D obtained from diet, supplements, and cutaneous synthesis. Second, relevant DM risk factors and confounders, including seafood consumption, were adjusted for. Third, the study was performed in a representative sample of the general Korean population. Finally, rigorous quality control of the study procedures was ensured in the KNHANES.
The present study had some limitations. First, our associations were obtained from a cross-sectional analysis. We cannot completely exclude the possibility of reverse causality. A third factor might be a common link which produces the association: Low physical activity might be associated with both DM and low vitamin D. Therefore, a causal relationship between serum vitamin D level and arsenic level and DM cannot be inferred. A prospective study, in which arsenic or vitamin D levels are determined before the development of disease, will be required to establish the causal nature of these associations.
Second, data on sun exposure and dietary vitamin D intake were not available. Instead, we obtained data regarding the participants’ exercise and walking habits, which presumably provide an estimate of each subject’s sunlight exposure [33]. We also adjusted for assumed seasonal exposure. Third, we did not perform species analysis of arsenic and could not rule out contributions of organic arsenic such as arsenobetaine and arsenosugars mainly derived from seafood to total AsU levels [13,34,35]. Instead, we adjusted for seafood consumption as the main sources of organic arsenic. Fourth, family history is a very important risk factor for DM; however, these data were not available in the 2008–2009 KNHANES.
In conclusion, we showed an association of DM with the combination of vitamin D deficiency and arsenic exposure in the general Korean population.
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
All authors had access to the data and played a role in writing this manuscript: study concept and design (YK); acquisition, statistical analysis and interpretation of data (B-KL); drafting of the manuscript (YK); critical revision of the manuscript (B-KL); All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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      Association of Diabetes Mellitus with a Combination of Vitamin D Deficiency and Arsenic Exposure in the Korean General Population: Analysis of 2008–2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data
      Ann Occup Environ Med. 2013;25:7-7.   Published online May 21, 2013
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    Association of Diabetes Mellitus with a Combination of Vitamin D Deficiency and Arsenic Exposure in the Korean General Population: Analysis of 2008–2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data
    Image
    Figure 1 Prevalence (%) of diabetes mellitus in four groups classified by quartiles of vitamin D and urinary arsenic (AsU). (I: 4th Q of vitamin D and 1st Q of AsU, II: 1st Q of vitamin D, III: 4th Q of AsU, IV: 1st Q of vitamin D and 4th Q of AsU).
    Association of Diabetes Mellitus with a Combination of Vitamin D Deficiency and Arsenic Exposure in the Korean General Population: Analysis of 2008–2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data
    VariablesNSerum 25(OH)D
    Urinary arsenic
    AM (95% CI)p-valueGM (95% CI)p-value
    Sex
     
     
     
     
     
    Men
    1613
    49.84 (48.34-51.34)
    *
    101.1 (96.42-106.1)
    *
    Women
    1780
    42.88 (41.62-44.15)
    0.000
    128.7 (122.8-134.8)
    0.000
    Age (years)
     
     
     
     
     
    20-29
    630
    41.89 (40.12-43.66)
    *
    69.77 (64.74-75.20)
    *
    30-39
    677
    45.20 (43.50-46.90)
    0.001
    100.6 (94.77-106.9)
    0.000
    40-49
    671
    45.86 (44.37-47.36)
    0.000
    127.1 (119.5-135.2)
    0.000
    50-59
    686
    49.30 (47.50-51.10)
    0.000
    141.0 (132.4-150.1)
    0.000
    60+
    729
    48.57 (46.51-50.63)
    0.000
    155.1 (145.2-165.6)
    0.000
    Residence location
     
     
     
     
     
    Urban
    2616
    44.81 (43.67-45.94)
    *
    114.4 (110.7-118.2)
    *
    Rural
    777
    51.30 (48.92-53.69)
    0.000
    116.9 (106.9-127.7)
    0.671
    Season
     
     
     
     
     
    Spring
    905
    44.78 (43.23-46.33)
    *
    108.3 (101.5-115.5)
    *
    Summer
    788
    47.42 (45.57-49.27)
    0.017
    113.8 (107.5-120.6)
    0.222
    Fall
    534
    46.88 (44.99-48.76)
    0.055
    116.6 (109.0-124.7)
    0.126
    Winter
    1166
    45.98 (44.60-47.35)
    0.232
    120.2 (113.9-126.9)
    0.027
    Education level
     
     
     
     
     
    Less than high school
    1149
    45.95 (44.15-47.76)
    *
    117.8 (110.9-125.2)
    *
    High school
    1023
    47.15 (45.72-48.58)
    0.264
    115.1 (109.1-121.4)
    0.568
    College and more
    1221
    45.48 (43.95-47.01)
    0.706
    112.4 (106.7-118.4)
    0.289
    Smoking status
     
     
     
     
     
    Never-smoker
    1872
    46.73 (45.45-48.02)
    *
    120.0 (114.9-125.3)
    *
    Past smoker
    691
    47.13 (45.22-49.03)
    0.727
    115.5 (108.1-123.4)
    0.372
    Current smoker
    825
    44.06 (42.28-45.83)
    0.014
    103.7 (97.56-110.3)
    0.000
    Drinking status
     
     
     
     
     
    No drink
    905
    44.78 (43.23-46.33)
    *
    108.3 (101.5-115.5)
    *
    Mild drink
    788
    47.42 (45.57-49.27)
    0.017
    113.8 (107.5-120.6)
    0.222
    Moderate drink
    534
    46.88 (44.99-48.76)
    0.055
    116.6 (109.0-124.7)
    0.126
    Heavy drink
    1166
    45.98 (44.60-47.35)
    0.232
    120.2 (113.9-126.9)
    0.027
    Body Mass Index
     
     
     
     
     
    Lean
    153
    45.89 (42.93-48.84)
    *
    108.7 (96.52-122.4)
    *
    Normal
    2162
    46.12 (44.98-47.26)
    0.876
    114.8 (110.7-119.1)
    0.382
    Obese
    1047
    46.23 (44.92-47.54)
    0.827
    116.1 (110.5-122.1)
    0.325
    Regular exercise
     
     
     
     
     
    Yes
    534
    48.95 (47.07-50.84)
    *
    111.4 (104.0-119.4)
    *
    No
    2859
    45.62 (44.59-46.65)
    0.000
    115.6 (111.8-119.5)
    0.351
    Regular walking
     
     
     
     
     
    Yes
    1629
    47.14 (45.89-48.40)
    *
    115.0 (110.6-119.5)
    *
    No
    1764
    45.24 (44.06-46.42)
    0.006
    114.8 (110.3-119.5)
    0.952
    Seafood consumption
     
     
     
     
     
    Less than once a week
    310
    47.76 (45.42-50.09)
    *
    103.5 (93.93-114.0)
    *
    Once a week
    1031
    45.47 (44.11-46.83)
    0.069
    111.0 (105.5-116.9)
    0.223
    More than once a week
    2052
    46.26 (45.11-47.41)
    0.224
    118.7 (114.6-122.9)
    0.007
    Diabetes
     
     
     
     
     
    Yes
    309
    44.46 (42.00-46.91)
    *
    128.9 (117.3-141.8)
    *
    No308446.30 (45.26-47.35)0.148113.7 (110.2-117.2)0.011
    ModelIndependent variablesOdds ratio95% Confidence Interval
    Model 1
     
    Age (years)
    1.060
    1.046~1.074
     
    Body mass index (kg/m2)
    1.162
    1.108~1.218
     
    Sex
     
     
     
        Men
    Ref
     
     
        Women
    1.053
    0.697~1.351
     
    Quartile of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D
     
     
     
        1. 1st Q ( ≤ 30.02)
    1.250
    0.827~1.888
     
        2. 2nd Q (31.02 < Q ≤ 44.11)
    1.395
    0.931~2.091
     
        3. 3rd Q (44.11 < Q ≤ 55.99)
    1.216
    0.804~1.838
     
        4. 4th Q ( > 55.99)
    Ref
     
    Model 2
     
    Age (years)
    1.057
    1.042~1.071
     
    Body mass index (kg/m2)
    1.163
    1.108~1.220
     
    Sex
     
     
     
        Men
    Ref
     
     
        Women
    1.015
    0.679~1.518
     
    Quartile of urinary arsenic
     
     
     
        1. 1st Q ( ≤ 69.67)
    Ref
     
     
        2. 2nd Q (69.67 < Q ≤ 114.86)
    1.056
    0.646~1.727
     
        3. 3rd Q (114.86 < Q ≤ 159.48)
    1.200
    0.742~1.940
     
        4. 4th Q ( > 159.48)
    1.654
    1.038~1.518
    Model 3
     
        Age (years)
    1.074
    1.026~1.123
     
        Body mass index (kg/m2)
    1.260
    1.134~1.400
     
    Sex
     
     
     
        Men
    Ref
     
     
        Women
    0.776
    0.239~2.519
     
    Combination of Vitamin D & AsU
     
     
     
        1. Vitamin D 4thQ + AsU 1stQ
    Ref
     
         2. Vitamin D 1stQ + AsU 4thQ3.0231.004~9.105
    Table 1 Serum 25(OH)D and Urinary arsenic concentration, adjusted for all other variables in the table

    *: reference group; AM, arithmetic mean; GM, geometric mean.

    Table 2 Adjusted OR (95% CI) of Korean adults having diabetes mellitus by category of combination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D quartile and urinary arsenic quartile, adjusted for covariates#

    #Covariates: residence location (urban or rural), season, education level, smoking & drinking status, regular exercise & walking and seafood consumption; Q, quartile; AsU, urinary arsenic (g/g creatinine).


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