Affiliations: [a] B.A.S.E Laboratory, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco | [b] Cluster of Competence on Health & Environment, Moulay Ismail University/VLIR-UOS, Meknes, Morocco | [c] Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Errachidia, Morrocco | [d] R.N.E Laboratory, Multidisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco | [e] Ethnopharmacology and Pharmacognosy Team, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of Errachidia, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Dr. Nourdine Attiya, DMD, PhD, B.A.S.E Laboratory, Cluster of Competence on Health & Environment, Moulay Ismail University/VLIR-UOS, Marjane 2, BP 298, Meknes, Morocco. E-mail: nourdineattiya@gmail.com
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Dentists using dental amalgam are chronically exposed to low doses of elemental mercury. The complex toxico-kinetics of this systemic toxicant results in polymorphic and variable clinical phenotypes. In this context, adapted statistical methods are required to highlight potential adverse effects of occupational mercury exposure on dentists’ health. OBJECTIVE:The present study aims to analyze the distribution of self-reported subjective symptoms, commonly associated with chronic mercury poisoning, according to occupational mercury exposure in a population of Moroccan liberal dentists. METHODS:In order to achieve the defined objectives, a three-step latent class regression was fitted. First a latent class analysis was performed to cluster the studied population according to their declared symptoms. Dentists were then classified in the defined latent classes based on their posterior probabilities. Finally, a logistic regression is fitted to identify predictors associated with the latent classes’ membership. RESULTS:The final obtained model showed acceptable calibration and discrimination. Its interpretation revealed that the increase of the frequency of amalgam use was associated with significant higher odds of belonging to the high risk latent class. CONCLUSIONS:The present study represents an initial step towards the development of diagnosis model that predict clinical profiles according to occupational mercury exposure.
Keywords: Mercury, dental amalgam, dentist, Morocco, latent class analysis
