title: Urinary heavy metals and associated medical conditions in the US adult population.
abstract: Health effects of heavy metals have been widely investigated, but further evaluation is required to comprehensively delineate their toxicity. Using data from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on 1,857 adults to examine the relationship between urinary heavy metals and various medical conditions. Cardiovascular diseases were correlated to cadmium (OR: 4.94, 95% CI: 1.48-16.56) and lead (OR: 5.32, 95% CI: 1.08-26.21). Asthma was related to tungsten (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.15-2.59) and uranium (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.01-2.28). Hepatotoxicity was associated with molybdenum (OR: 3.09, 95% CI: 1.24-7.73) and uranium (OR: 4.79, 95% CI: 1.74-13.19). Surprising inverse relationships occurred for excessive weight with lead (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.52-0.98), reduced visual acuity with cobalt (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44-0.95) and cesium (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.35-0.77). This study supports some previous evidence of potential relationships and provides insights for future research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Robert Stempel School of Public Health, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Angelico
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mendy
authors.forename: Janvier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gasana
authors.forename: Edgar Ramos
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Vieira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001168:Arthritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity / Q000652:urine*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000633:toxicity / Q000652:urine*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000652:urine; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy