Serum Dioxin and Diabetes Mellitus in Veterans of Operation Ranch Hand

摘要: We studied diabetes mellitus and glucose insulin levels in Air Force veterans exposed to Agent Orange its contaminant, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (dioxin), during the Vietnam War. The index subjects of Force's ongoing 20-year prospective epidemiologic study are Operation Ranch Hand (N = 989), unit responsible for aerial herbicide spraying from 1962 1971. Other who served Southeast Asia same period but were not involved with herbicides serve as Comparisons 1,276). median serum dioxin level group was 12.2 parts per trillion (ppt) (range 0-617.8 ppt), Comparison 4.0 ppt 0-10 ppt). found that abnormalities [relative risk 1.4; 95% confidence limits (CL) 1.1, 1.8], prevalence (relative 1.5; CL 1.2, 2.0), use oral medications control 2.3; 1.3, 3.9) increased, whereas time-to-diabetes-onset decreased exposure. Serum 3.4; 1.9, 6.1) increased exposure nondiabetics. These results indicate an adverse relation between mellitus, metabolism, production.