The association between blood cadmium levels and bone mineral density in U.S. adolescents aged 12-19 years.

UNLABELLED: According to the multivariable adjusted models, there was an inverse association between B-Cd levels and BMD, which was particularly evident in the subgroup analyses of other Hispanic and female individuals in the adolescent population. Clinicians and policy-makers should thoroughly consider the genetic implications of B-Cd levels in relation to BMD during the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the associations between blood cadmium (B-Cd) levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in adolescents.

METHODS

On the basis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database spanning from 2011 to 2018, we used weighted multiple regression, a generalized weighted model and smoothed curve methods to investigate the associations between B-Cd levels and BMD in adolescents. Subgroup analyses were also conducted to examine potential differences across age, sex, race, tobacco exposure status and other relevant variables.

RESULTS

Among the 2427 participants, 52% were males, and 48% were females. In this study, multistage sampling data from the NHANES database were analysed, and the positive association between B-Cd levels and BMD shifted to a negative association after adjustment for age, sex and race. Subgroup analyses revealed a more pronounced association among females (β =  - 0.07, 95% CI: - 0.09, - 0.04, P < 0.001), other Hispanic individuals (β =  - 0.08, 95% CI: - 0.14, - 0.02, P = 0.012) and individuals exposed to tobacco (β =  - 0.04, 95% CI: - 0.06, - 0.01, P = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

The findings revealed a negative association between B-Cd levels and BMD in multivariable adjusted models.