Relation of urinary bisphenol concentration and diabetes or prediabetes in French adults: A cross-sectional study

PLoS One. 2023 Mar 30;18(3):e0283444. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283444. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Background: International research has recently shown an association between exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and the risk of diabetes, although limited results are available for exposure to bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF). The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between impregnation with BPA, BPS, and BPF and the prevalence of diabetes or prediabetes in the French adult population.

Methods: Based on the Esteban cross-sectional study, 852 adults aged 18 to 74 years living in France were included. To assess the link between urinary concentration of BPA, BPS and BPF and a state of dysglycemia (diabetes or prediabetes), logistic regression multivariable models were performed and adjusted for known risk factors for diabetes and urine creatinine concentration.

Results: The percentage of included individuals with diabetes or prediabetes was 17.8% (95% CI = [15.3-20.4]). Urinary BPA concentration was significantly higher in people with diabetes or prediabetes, independent of the known risk factors for diabetes (OR for an increase of 0.1 units in log-transformed concentration of BPA (μg/L) = 1.12; 95%CI = [1.05-1.19], p < 0.001). However, we did not find any significant independent association between urinary BPS and BPF levels and the prevalence of diabetes or prediabetes.

Conclusions: In this sample, considering the diabetes risk factors, diabetes or prediabetes was positively associated with higher urinary BPA concentration but not with urinary BPS and BPF concentrations. However, analysis of prospective longitudinal studies are still necessary to demonstrate a causal link between bisphenol exposure and the risk of diabetes or prediabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Benzhydryl Compounds / adverse effects
  • Benzhydryl Compounds / urine
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus* / chemically induced
  • Diabetes Mellitus* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Prediabetic State* / chemically induced
  • Prediabetic State* / epidemiology
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • bisphenol A
  • bisphenol F
  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfone

Grants and funding

The French National Public Health Agency runs the French human biomonitoring programme, which is funded by the French Ministries of Health and Environment. The funders were part of a steering committee but had no role in data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.