Page 24 - JCTR-11-1

Journal of Clinical and
Translational Research Pesticides and ischemic heart disease

Figure 1. Flowchart of the study design of pesticides and ischemic heart disease in Rafsanjan cohort study
Abbreviations: RCS: Rafsanjan cohort study; IHD: Ischemic heart disease.

defined as a cardiac condition (IHD) diagnosed by a 90 percentiles, participants were categorized into four
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cardiologist. 15 classes, including low class (≤−0.606), low-middle class
(−0.607 – 0.0349), middle-high class (0.035 – 1.169), and
Blood samples were collected between 7:00 AM and
9:00 AM after 12 – 14 h of fasting. Serum levels of high- high class (≥1.170).
density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density Pesticide exposure was evaluated based on the detailed
lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol, and questionnaire that included the following parameters:
triglycerides were measured using a CPALS analyzer proximity of the residential area to farming areas;
(Coultronics, Margency, France) at the central laboratory exposure to pesticides in the farm, yard, and home;
of the cohort center. Dyslipidemia was defined according mixing and preparation of pesticides; entering work
to the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education areas where pesticides had just been applied; cleaning
Program (NCEP-Adult Treatment Panel III) as having equipment contaminated with pesticides; repairing
any of the following: LDL cholesterol ≥130 mg/dL, total pesticide equipment; handling stored pesticide products;
cholesterol ≥200 mg/dL, HDL cholesterol ≤40 mg/dL in and managing pesticide spraying. For each exposure,
men or ≤50 mg/dL in women, triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL, participants were asked separately about the frequency
or the use of lipid-lowering drugs. 17 and duration of pesticide exposure and the use of personal
protective equipment over the past year. The duration of
Using a validated physical activity questionnaire,
participants reported their usual daily activities, including each exposure was calculated in terms of minutes and
categorized into three categories: no exposure, ≤mean
the frequency and duration of time spent per week on minutes, and >mean minutes per year. The frequency
these activities over the past 12 months. Physical activity differences between the total number of participants and
levels were expressed as metabolic equivalent of task hours some of the covariates were attributed to missing data.
per day and categorized into three groups, including low
(≤35.299), moderate (35.3 – 40.325), and high (≥40.326) 2.3. Statistical analysis
based on the 25 and 75 percentiles.
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Baseline characteristics of individuals were compared
The economic status of individuals was determined across the study groups using Chi-square (χ²) tests for
using the wealth score index (WSI), estimated by multiple categorical variables and t-tests for continuous variables.
correspondence analysis of variables such as access to a Frequency (%) was used for categorical variables, and the
freezer, computer, internet, car, laptop, and the number of mean ± standard deviation was used for the quantitative
trips inside and outside Iran. Based on the 25 , 50 , and variables. In addition, dichotomous logistics regression
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Volume 11 Issue 1 (2025) 18 doi: 10.36922/jctr.22.00187