Dose-response meta-analysis of arsenic exposure in drinking water and hypertension

Abstract Background Based on the cross-sectional and cohort studies, exposure to As via drinking water can cause hypertension. Methods We searched PubMed, ISI WOS, and Scopus for relevant studies up to 1 January 2018 using related keywords. The meta-analysis was done on 10 studies (n = 28255) that report Odds Ratio for hypertension. The extracted ORs between As concentration and hypertension were pooled using random effect models. Study heterogeneity was analyzed using I2. Results The estimated adjusted OR for association between As and hypertension was 1.44 (95% CI: 1.12, 1.84) with I2 = 71%. Dose-Response analysis showed a linear relationship between As and hypertension (OR = 1.0008 95% CI: 1.0003, 1.001). In general, by increase of each unit in arsenic concentration, odds of the hypertension would increase as 0.08%. Conclusion There was a significant relationship between As exposure and hypertension.