Evaluation of the association between urinary 3-phenoxybenzoic acid levels and self-perceived depression symptoms among the rural elderly population in Asan, South Korea

摘要

[Background] Recently, a large number of studies reported an increase in the incidence or prevalence of depression among the aged population in South Korea as well as other countries. Several studies have also reported that the occurrence of depression among the rural population is associated with exposure to environmental risk factors such as pesticides. This study aimed to evaluate the association of self-perceived depression symptoms with exposure to insecticides using 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) as a biomarker after controlling for socioeconomic confounding factors among persons aged 60 years and older in rural areas of South Korea. [Methods] Under a cross-sectional study design, the participants of this study (161 men and 239 women) were randomly recruited from rural areas of Asan. Exposure to environmental risk factors was assessed using a questionnaire and analysis of 3-PBA levels in urine. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between pesticide exposure and self-perceived depression symptoms. [Results] The adjusted odds ratio for self-perceived symptoms of depression was higher in women with considerable farming experience (10 years or longer) than that in those with little (3 years or fewer) or no farming experience. Our study showed that among female participants, the unit increase in 3-PBA levels was likely positively associated (OR: 1.13 95% CI: 1.01-1.26) with an increased risk of depression after adjusting for socioeconomic confounding factors including insurance type, daily physical condition, marital status, and age. [Conclusion] Further studies, including an intervention study, are needed to elucidate the association of exposure level to pesticide and degree of depression symptoms.