Low-level cadmium exposure has adverse effects on chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, the risk factors for elevated blood cadmium levels (BCLs) have not been studied in CKD. We conducted a cross-sectional investigation in 200 CKD patients and stratified them by the tertiles of BCL to compare their demographic, environmental, and biochemical data. The factors associated with BCL were identified, and their effects were examined in subgroups. In the analyses, female sex, smoking, and CKD stage 5D were associated with high BCL, and statin was inversely correlated with BCL (odds ratio [95% confidence interval, CI], 6.858 [2.381-19.746], p < 0.001, 11.719 [2.843-48.296], p = 0.001, 30.333 [2.252-408.520], p = 0.010, and 0.326 [0.122-0.873], p = 0.026; deviations of BCL [nmol/L, 95% CI], 2.66 [1.33-4.00], p < 0.001, 3.68 [1.81-5.56], p < 0.001, 3.38 [0.95-5.82], p = 0.007, and -2.07 [-3.35--0.78], p = 0.002). These factors were also independently correlated with BCL in subgroups, including non-dialysis CKD, hypertensive patients, non-smokers, and male patients. In conclusion, female sex, smoking, and CKD stage 5D were the major risk factors for elevated BCL; additionally, statins were negatively associated with BCL in CKD.
Keywords: cadmium; chronic kidney disease; risk factors.