Abstract
The effects of cadmium exposure on systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP & DBP) of residents in a cadmium-polluted area were examined. The variables were age, urinary cadmium (Cd), sodium (Na), potassium (K), N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), creatinine (cre), serum total cholesterol, height and weight. Drinking and smoking habits, treatment and family histories of hypertension (HT) were also examined. The subjects were 113 males and 271 females from 40 to 84 years in age. The geometric mean of Cd was 1.81μg/g cre in males and 2.25μg/g cre in females. Significant increase in SBP in subjects having family histories of HT was recognized in females after correction for age. No statistical significance of Cd, NAG, Quetelet index (BMI), DBP, percentage of HT medication, NaCI intake, Na/K, total cholesterol, and amount of smoking and drinking was recognized for groups divided by family histories of HT. Multiple regression analysis indicated drinking and treatment for HT to be closely associated with SBP and DBP in males. In females, age, BMI, Na/K and treatment for HT were associated with SBP and DBP. Family histories of HT in females were also weakly but significantly associated with SBP. Multivariateanalysis failed to show relation between urinary Cd and human blood pressure.
