Abstract
BackgroundUncertainty remains regarding the association between blood lead levels (BLL) and serum uric acid (SUA) with relatively low BLL exposure because of limited data in the adolescent population. We examined the association between BLL and SUA in U.S. adolescents.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 8303 adolescents aged 12–19 years from NHANES 1999–2006 were analyzed. BLL was Ln-transformed for analysis for the skewed distribution. Elevated SUA was defined as ≥5.5 mg/dL. Multivariate linear and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association of BLL with SUA and elevated SUA. Moreover, a generalized additive model (GAM) and a fitted smoothing curve (penalized spline method) were conducted.ResultsThe overall mean BLL was 1.3 μg/dL. Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that LnBLL was independently and positively correlated with SUA level (β = 0.13, 95%CI: 0.09–0.17). Multiple logistic analyses showed that LnBLL was associated with a 24% increased prevalence of elevated SUA (OR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.11–1.38). Analyses using restricted cubic spline confirmed that the associations of LnBLL with SUA and elevated SUA were linear. Subgroup analyses showed that stronger associations between LnBLL and SUA were detected in adolescents with lower levels of education and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (all P for interaction < 0.05).ConclusionsBLL was independently and positively correlated with SUA level and elevated SUA among U.S. adolescents, particularly with lower levels of education and eGFR. The data suggest that there is no “safe” threshold level of exposure to lead.Graphical abstract
Highlights
Lead, a heavy metal, is widely distributed in the environment and remains a major public health challenge [1]
We examined the association between blood lead levels (BLL) and serum uric acid (SUA) in a representative sample of US adolescents with relatively low BLL exposure from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2006
Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 8303 study participants aged 12–19 years from NHANES 1999–2006 were included in this final data analysis (1999–2002: 2106 subjects; 2001–2002: 2192 subjects; 2003–2004: 2036 subjects; 2005–2006: 1969 subjects)
Summary
A heavy metal, is widely distributed in the environment and remains a major public health challenge [1]. Lead exposure has declined sharply, in developed countries, but chronic low-dose exposures are still a major public health concern [2, 3]. Early-life exposure to lead, even at low levels, has been associated with a Previous epidemiological studies in adults have reported that BLL exposure was positively associated with serum uric acid (SUA) level among lead-exposed workers [10,11,12]. Uncertainty remains regarding the association between blood lead levels (BLL) and serum uric acid (SUA) with relatively low BLL exposure because of limited data in the adolescent population. We examined the association between BLL and SUA in U.S adolescents
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