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Results of common laboratory tests in solvent-exposed workers

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Abstract

Objectives

The screening and identification of occupational liver or other organ-system injury related to long-term, low-level solvent exposure are difficult in clinical practice. We studied the feasibility of the use of common laboratory tests combined with a detailed exposure history.

Methods

The relationships between laboratory tests and exposure to organic solvents were studied in regression modelling adjusted to age, alcohol consumption, gender and body mass index (BMI). The subjects were 29 solvent-exposed workers and 19 referents. Laboratory tests included serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose and total and conjugated bilirubin. Positive hepatitis serology, systemic diseases or medications with known hepatic effects and current pregnancy were exclusion criteria. The main exposures of each subject were identified. Current solvent exposure status, exposure during the past 3 months, exposure during the past 5 and 10 years, and total life-time exposure were recorded.

Results

AST (P=0.0031), ALT (P=0.0015) and cholesterol (P=0.0110) correlated positively with cumulative solvent exposure in the past 5 years, total bilirubin with current exposure (P=0.0380), and glucose with exposure in the past 5 (P<0.0001) and 10 (P=0.0003) years. Triglycerides correlated positively with exposure in the past 5 (P=0.0025) and 10 (P=0.0059) years and with life-time exposure (P=0.0005). Creatinine correlated negatively with exposure in the past 10 years (P=0.0300) and life-time exposure (P=0.0005). Most laboratory values were within the normal range.

Conclusions

These results suggest a multi-system health effect of solvents. The laboratory data had some similarities with those in the metabolic syndrome. The screening and diagnostics of solvent-related conditions should be based on a thorough work history and a set of carefully selected laboratory tests. No single test seems sufficient for this purpose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, 00250, Helsinki, Finland

    Ari Kaukiainen, Tapio Vehmas, Kaarina Rantala, Markku Nurminen, Rami Martikainen & Helena Taskinen

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  1. Ari Kaukiainen
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  2. Tapio Vehmas
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  3. Kaarina Rantala
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Correspondence to Ari Kaukiainen.

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Kaukiainen, A., Vehmas, T., Rantala, K. et al. Results of common laboratory tests in solvent-exposed workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 77, 39–46 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-003-0476-z

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