Association of endemic arsenic poisoning and abnormal electrocardiogram: Meta-analysis / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the correlation between endemic arsenic poisoning and abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG).Methods:PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang data, VIP and other databases were used for literature retrieval, and epidemiological literatures related to abnormal ECG of endemic arsenic poisoning published in domestic and abroad were included in the study. The time limit was from the establishment of the database to December 1, 2020. RevMan 5.3 was used for Meta-analysis of binary variables. Random effect model was selected according to the results of heterogeneity, and odds ratio ( OR) was used as the effect index. Characteristic changes were found by subgroup analysis. Bias was published by funnel plot. Results:Nine articles were included in this Meta-analysis, with 6 articles in Chinese and 3 articles in English, respectively. The abnormal ECG changes included QTc prolongation, ST-T segment change, left axis deviation and arrhythmia. Finally, 1 975 cases were included in the exposure group, including 575 cases of abnormal ECG; 750 cases of control group, including 145 cases of abnormal ECG. Meta-analysis showed that the combined OR value [95% confidence interval ( CI)] of abnormal ECG changes was 4.41 (2.83 - 6.87), with statistical significance between the two groups ( Z = 6.56, P < 0.05); the results of subgroup analysis showed that the combined OR values (95% CI) of QTc prolongation, ST-T segment change, left axis deviation and arrhythmia were 12.30 (5.91 - 25.59), 2.74 (1.39 - 5.41), 2.93 (0.89 - 9.62) and 4.13 (2.38 - 7.17), respectively. Conclusions:Endemic arsenic poisoning may cause abnormal ECG. Prolongation of QTc caused by arsenic exposure may be the characteristic change of abnormal ECG.