Page 97 - JCTR-11-3

Journal of Clinical and
Translational Research Household arsenic and bladder cancer

Table 2. Questionnaire data from 25 patients with urothelial carcinoma and 25 controls with benign urologic disease
Category Responses UCC, n (%) Benign, n (%) Odds ratio p‑value
(95% confidence interval)
Industrial occupation Respondents 22 24 0.85 (0.29 – 2.92) >0.99
Yes 11 (50.0) 13 (54.2)
No 11 (50.0) 11 (45.8)
Applied pesticides to crops Respondents 22 24 0.2 (0.4 – 1.12) 0.07
Yes 2 (9.1) 8 (33.3)
No 20 (90.9) 16 (66.6)
Weedkiller use at home Respondents 23 24 0.17 (0.05 – 0.66) 0.008*
Yes 9 (39.1) 19 (79.2)
No 14 (60.9) 5 (20.8)
Drive-by traffic near home Respondents 22 24 0.50 (0.16 – 1.72) 0.37
Moderate/heavy 10 (45.5) 15 (62.5)
Minimal 12 (55.5) 9 (37.5)
Treated lumber porch or deck Respondents 22 24 1.02 (0.33 – 3.03) >0.99
Yes 12 (55.5) 13 (54.2)
No 10 (45.5) 11 (45.8)
Swims in a pool Respondents 22 23 1.05 (0.33 – 3.03) >0.99
Yes 2 (9.1) 2 (8.7)
No 20 (90.9) 21 (91.3)
Wood-burning fireplace Respondents 22 24 0.47 (0.14 – 1.65) 0.24
Yes 7 (31.8) 12 (50.0)
No 15 (68.2) 12 (50.0)
Tobacco smoking Respondents 22 24 1.68 (0.49 – 5.04) 0.56
Former 12 (54.5) 10 (41.7)
Never 10 (45.5) 14 (58.3)
Well water for drinking (any) Respondents 25 24 0.61 (0.17 – 2.36) 0.52
Yes 5 (20.0) 7 (29.2)
No 20 (80.0) 17 (70.8)
Water filtration Respondents 22 24 1.68 (0.49 – 5.04) 0.56
No 12 (54.5) 10 (41.7)
Yes 10 (45.5) 14 (58.3)
Note: *Indicates statistical significance (p<0.05).
Abbreviation: UCC: Urothelial cell carcinoma.

or smoking status (former versus never). Only one subject 3.3. Acrolein metabolites in urine
from each group had worked as a hairdresser or owned a Urinary concentrations of the acrolein metabolite 3-HPMA
swimming pool (both controls). Observably, fewer UCC did not differ between patients with UCC (median:
cases reported a history of applying pesticides to crops 193 nmol/mg creat, range: 65 – 899 nmoL/mg creat) and
(9.1%) compared to control patients (33.3%), but this those with benign urologic disease (median: 195 nmoL/mg
difference did not reach significance (p=0.074; Table 2).
Contrary to our hypotheses, UCC patients reported less creat, range: 53 – 1,059 nmoL/mg creat) (p=0.44; Figure 1).
herbicide use at home than control patients (OR: 0.17; 95% When unadjusted urinary 3-HPMA concentrations
CI: 0.05 – 0.66). were assessed for possible genotoxicity, 9 of 25 UCC

Volume 11 Issue 3 (2025) 91 doi: 10.36922/jctr.24.00065