Cadmium exposure is associated with elevated blood C-reactive protein and fibrinogen in the U. S. population: the third national health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES III, 1988-1994).
OBJECTIVE
Epidemiologic data suggest an association between cadmium exposure and cardiovascular disease though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study explored the hypothesis that cadmium exposure is associated with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen, two risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease.


METHODS
The current study investigated associations between urinary cadmium and the prevalence of elevated blood CRP (> or = 2.2 mg/L) and fibrinogen (> or = 10.35 micromol/L) using data from a sample of 6497 participants aged 40-79 in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Logistic regression model was used to investigate existing associations while adjusting for confounding variables.


RESULTS
Both simple and covariate-adjusted models indicated that urinary cadmium was associated with elevated CRP and fibrinogen in a dose-dependent fashion (p(trend)<0.05 for both). Adjusted odds ratios for increased CRP and fibrinogen comparing highest with lowest quartiles of urinary cadmium were 1.62 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-2.12) and 2.12 (1.43-3.14), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This analysis shows that cadmium exposure is associated with high prevalence of elevated CRP and fibrinogen. Additional study will be required to determine whether the increased risk derives from cadmium per se or from the environmental circumstances responsible for acquiring the contamination, e.g., cigarette smoking.
Lin
Yu-Sheng
YS
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA. yulin@hsc.unt.edu
Rathod
Dhruv
D
Ho
Wen-Chao
WC
Caffrey
James J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002104:Cadmium / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States
D002104:Cadmium; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein