Blood lead level and renal function: Sample of Iraqi patients attending Baghdad Teaching Hospital in 2022

Abstract

Background: Lead is a highly toxic metal and a very strong poison. Most of the time, lead poisoning builds up slowly. It follows repeated exposures to small quantities of lead. Signs of repeated lead include high blood pressure, numbness or tingling in the extremities, memory loss, anemia, and kidney dysfunction. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to measure the blood lead level (BLL) among sample of adult patients attending Baghdad Teaching Hospital aged ≥30 years old and to find if there is any association between BLL and renal impairment. Subjects and Methods: Across sectional study was conducted from January 2 to May 31, 2022. Sample involved selection of adults of both sexes who attend Baghdad Teaching Hospital outpatient clinic for nonrenal medical problems. Inclusion criteria include adults aged ≥30 years old, with no history of drugs that change creatinine level and not malnourished. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured for all participants according to the Cockcroft equation depending on serum creatinine, age, gender, weight, height, and body mass index. Blood sample was taken for measure lead level in toxicology center in Baghdad medical city using whole blood samples not <2.5 ml for each participant, and the collection of data was taken by interview using especial questionnaire. Verbal consent was taken as ethical issue from each participant in the study. Results: A total of 239 participants were involved in this study. The mean BLL was 23.57 μg/dl. BLL for all was ranged between the values 17 μg/dl and 33 μg/dl for both sexes. The study showed a significant association between BLL and GFR rate. Conclusions: BLL was higher than normal cut point used in the study which is 10 μg/dl. About one-third of participants had risk of kidney disease with GFR (60–90) ml/min/1.73 m2; they were considered asymptomatic renal impairment.