Sex difference in the association between pyrethroids exposure and sleep problems among adolescents: NHANES 2007–2014

Abstract

Background: Pyrethroids have been widely used in the United States and worldwide. Few studies examined the effect of pyrethroids exposure on sleep problems among adolescents. Objectives: This study investigated the associations between pyrethroids exposure and sleep problems in male and female adolescents. Methods: The data were used from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2014. In this study, 3-Phenoxybenzoic Acid (3-PBA) was used as a validated biomarker for pyrethroids exposure. The association between urinary 3-PBA and sleep problems was analyzed using logistic regression models. Results: A total of 805 adolescents aged 16–20 years old were included in this study. The proportion of sleep problems was higher in females than in males (10.18% vs.7.35%, P = 0.154). A significant interaction was found between sex and 3-PBA (P interaction = 0.021) in the risk of sleep problems. A positive association of 3-PBA exposure with sleep problems was observed in male adolescents after adjusting for all the other covariates (OR = 4.04, 95% CI 1.31, 12.42). No statistically significant association was observed in female adolescents. Conclusions: A positive association was observed between pyrethroids exposure and sleep problems in male adolescents, but not in female adolescents. More studies are required to confirm our findings.