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Table 6. Summary of liver function tests and pathology.
Table 7. Hepatic and renal function derangement among workers
exposed to pesticides.
Measurea
Measure
Rural workers Urban workers
Control
(n 200)
Rural workers Urban workers
Control
(n = 200)
a AChE acetylcholinesterase activity; LDH= lactic dehydrogenase; GPT = glutamic pyruvic
transaminase.
Hepatocellular damage, indicated by liver-function tests, significantly
affected both rural and urban pesticide workers (Table 7). Bilirubin and
alkaline phosphatase were not affected significantly in either group, suggesting
that cholestasis was not a factor in the liver damage. Urea and creatinine
levels were significantly affected in exposed groups. Total protein values were
significantly lower in exposed groups, a finding compatible with chronic liver
dysfunction.
The influence on hepatorenal function of duration of exposure was investigated
by comparing people exposed to pesticides in the work place for more
than 10 years with those exposed less than 10 years. Rural workers exposed
more than 10 years had significantly higher blood sugar levels (p < 0.01), and
AChE activity was significantly reduced with longer exposure (p < 0.001).
124
Exposed
(n = 200)
Exposed
(n = 200)
Control
(n = 100)
Control
(n = 100)
Exposed
(n = 100)
Abdominal complaint 55 50 45 32
Histoiyofbilharziasis 98 102 54 47
History of hepatitis
Hepatosplenomegaly and ascites
10
15
17
34a
5
1
5
13a
Tender epigastrium 4 4 1 4
Lower limb edema 2 0 0
Positive sonography 20 10
a Significantly different from control (p = 0.01).
b
Significantly different from control (p = 0.05).
Exposed
(n = 100)
Reduced AChE (< 50%)
LDH
15
6
104
35
6
2
24
-
GPT 36 28 14 14
YGT 20 136 9 86
Total protein 2 52 2 1
Albumin
Bilirubin
Alkaline phosphatase
24
40
42
16
42
-
11
10
17
0
6
26
Sugar 6 80 2 13
Urea 5 68 1 3
Creatinine 3 4 5 57