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Phthalates and bone mineral density: a systematic review

Heilmann NZ, Reeves KW, Hankinson SE

Environmental health : a global access science source, 2022

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Exposure to endocrine disruptors, such as phthalates, may impact bone mineral density (BMD) through a variety of mechanisms. Studies of phthalate exposure and BMD in humans are scarce.

OBJECTIVES: To synthesize published data on the association between phthalate metabolites and BMD in humans and to provide methodological suggestions for future research.

METHODS: A single investigator searched PubMed for relevant studies, including observational studies of phthalate exposure and BMD in children and postmenopausal women. Twelve studies were screened with 5 meeting the eligibility criteria and included for review. A quality assessment form was used as a quality measure and key information was extracted from the included studies.

RESULTS: In one prospective study among postmenopausal women, higher levels of monocarboxyoctyl phthalate (MCOP) and monocarboxynonyl phthalate (MCNP) were significantly associated with lower BMD among nonusers of hormone therapy (HT). In cross-sectional studies of postmenopausal women, monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), mono (3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP), and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP) were negatively associated with BMD, and MCNP was positively associated with BMD, but these results were not replicated across studies. In studies of fetal exposure to phthalates and childhood BMD, significant positive associations between MCPP and BMD in children at age 12 years were found in 1 study, while associations were…

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