The associations between volatile organic compounds and bone loss around teeth among US adults.

BACKGROUND

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) represent significant contributors to air pollution. Their exposure has been associated with a range of human diseases. Nevertheless, the impact of VOCs on bone loss around teeth (BLAT) remains unclear and has yet to be fully evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between VOCs exposure and BLAT.

METHODS

This study included 4,345 participants and utilized data from four cycles of NHANES (2011-2020) to analyze the association between VOCs exposure and BLAT using multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic splines (RCS).

RESULTS

After full adjustment for covariates, the highest quartile concentrations of three VOCs were significantly associated with an increased risk of BLAT: URXAAM (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.15-2.48), URXAMC (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.10-2.12), and URXCYM (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.02-1.80). Stratified analysis revealed that the types and number of VOCs positively associated with BLAT varied across different subgroups. RCS analysis showed that five VOCs (URX2MH, URXAAM, URXCYM, URXMB3, and URXPMM) exhibited a linear positive association with BLAT risk, while URXAMC showed a non-linear relationship (P for overall trend < 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSION

Exposure to specific VOCs is associated with an increased risk of BLAT.