Benzophenone-3 and prevalence of antinuclear antibodies in adolescents and adults ages 12-39 in the U.S. population
Year: 2020
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Background: Prevalence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), a marker of systemic autoimmunity, is increasing in the general population, especially among adolescents and non-Hispanic whites. A female predominance of ANA and autoimmunity suggests a role for hormonal exposures. Benzophenone-3 (BP3) is an endocrine disruptor found in sunscreen and personal care products, with widespread exposures, especially in whites and females. We examined the association of ANA with BP3 in a national sample of U.S. adolescents and young adults. Methods: In 1,941 participants ages 12-39 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 2003-4, 2011-12), including 214 ANA-positive individuals, we conducted cross-sectional analyses of ANA in relation to urinary BP3 (detected in >98.5% of the sample). Prevalence Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were calculated by logistic regression, adjusting for sampling variables, urinary creatinine, age, sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, smoking, and education. Models were stratified by season because NHANES data collection varies geographically by season and sunscreen is often seasonally applied. Results: ANA prevalence was higher in females but did not vary by age, race/ethnicity, season, or serum vitamin D3 levels. In models of log-transformed BP3, an association with ANA was seen in the winter (Oct-April OR 1.58; 95%CI 1.14-2.17) but not the summer (OR 0.87; 95%CI 0.58, 1.30), a multiplicative interaction (p=0.038). The association of BP3 with ANA in the winter was most apparent in females (OR 1.78; 95%CI 1.23, 2.59), but did not appear to vary by race/ethnicity. Conclusions: Individuals with elevated BP3 levels in the winter had greater odds of being ANA positive, but a similar pattern was not seen in the summer. These differences warrant further exploration, also considering potential indicators of longer term BP3 exposure (e.g., sunscreen use) and related factors such as other sun exposure and protective behaviors, measured phenols and parabens.
Source: ISEE Conference Abstracts
Authors: C.G. Parks, H.C. Meier, F.W. Miller, D.P. Sandler
Language: English
Subfield: Rheumatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W3169615504