Lead blood concentrations and renal function evaluation: Study in an exposed Mexican population

The relation of blood Pb concentrations and renal dysfunction has been reported in association with interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, and decreased glomerular filtration. In this report information about blood Pb concentrations and renal function tests in a population from Oaxaca, Mexico is analyzed. The main changes found were that males had higher blood Pb concentrations than females (P<0.0012); the leading variables associated with this were occupation (glazed pottery workers, P=0.0001) and the use of glazed pottery for preparing meals (P=0.0000). Variables that better explain uric acid variability were blood Pb concentrations, sex, weight, and height (r2=0.23). Hyperuricemia was associated with blood Pb concentrations above 40 μg/dL (OR=1.74, 95% CI, 1.12–2.61). SCr was associated with sex, age, and blood Pb, with coefficient r2=0.12. Our findings might be related to inadequate control of oven emissions, a situation that will require further analysis and the implementation of preventive measurements for the nonoccupational exposed population.