Phthalates track weaker grip in Korean elders
Higher urinary DEHP and MnBP metabolites were inversely associated with handgrip strength in community-dwelling older adults, especially with a high omega-6/omega-3 diet.
Source
Association between phthalate exposure and lower handgrip strength in an elderly population: a repeated-measures study
Study at a glance
- Design
- Cohort — KEEP II repeated urinary phthalates and dynamometer grip in Korean elders
- N
- N=1253 · 1,253 noninstitutionalized elders; diet-stratified subset n=391
- Population
- Elderly adults in Seoul and Asan, Republic of Korea
- Outcome
- Handgrip strength associated with MEOHP, MEHHP, and MnBP
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What they did
KEEP II (2012–2015) repeatedly measured MEOHP, MEHHP, and MnBP plus dynamometer grip in 1,253 noninstitutionalized elders in Seoul and Asan, using creatinine-adjusted mixed models and diet-stratified analyses in 391 Seoul participants.
What they found
Log creatinine-adjusted MEOHP, MEHHP, and MnBP were inversely associated with right and left grip after confounder control, including multipollutant models. Geometric means were 15.48, 21.11, and 28.23 μg/L. Associations were stronger when the omega-6/omega-3 ratio was ≥8.81. Sex did not modify the link.
The limits
What it doesn't show
Cross-sectional/repeated association is not proven muscle toxicity. Medical plastics could confound. Exact kilogram effect sizes sit in tables, and the sample is mostly healthy older women.
Key terms
- Phthalates / DEHP
- Plasticizers; DEHP metabolites MEOHP and MEHHP were summed as ΣDEHP.
- MnBP
- Mono-n-butyl phthalate, a metabolite of dibutyl phthalate used in personal-care products.
- Handgrip strength
- Dynamometer force used as a proxy for whole-body muscle strength in elders.
- Omega-6/omega-3 ratio
- Dietary fatty-acid balance; ≥8.81 (75th percentile) marked stronger phthalate–grip associations.
- KEEP II
- Korean Elderly Environmental Panel II repeated-measures cohort, 2012–2015.
Flashcards
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Quiz yourself
Urinary phthalate metabolites were associated with:
Common questions
Is this only a DEHP story?
No. MnBP showed the same inverse grip pattern, and multipollutant models stayed consistent.
Does diet change the association?
Yes. A high omega-6/omega-3 ratio (≥8.81) strengthened the inverse link.
Were men and women different?
No significant sex interaction (p>0.10).
Could hospitals’ plastic tubing explain it?
Possibly; authors note medical devices and pill coatings as potential confounders.
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