Association between blood lead levels and hyperlipidemiais: Results from the NHANES (1999-2018)

Yangchang Zhang; Weiwei Liu; Wei Zhang; Rui Cheng; Andi Tan; Shisi Shen; Yang Xiong; Limei Zhao; Xun Lei

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.981749

Association between blood lead levels and hyperlipidemiais: Results from the NHANES (1999-2018)

Front Public Health. 2022 Sep 9:10:981749. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.981749. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Yangchang Zhang^{1

2

3

4}, Weiwei Liu^{1

5

6}, Wei Zhang⁵, Rui Cheng⁷, Andi Tan⁸, Shisi Shen⁹, Yang Xiong¹⁰, Limei Zhao¹¹, Xun Lei^{1

2

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
² Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
³ The Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
⁴ Research Center for Public Health Security, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
⁵ Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.
⁶ Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Chongqing, China.
⁷ Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
⁸ International Business School, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Kunming, China.
⁹ The First School of Clinical Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
¹⁰ West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
¹¹ Chongqing Jiangjin Central Hospital, Chongqing, China.

Abstract

Background: Research on the association between blood lead (Pb) and lipid biomarkers have yielded inconsistent results, and epidemiological studies on blood Pb levels and hyperlipidemia are scarce. The present study aimed to examine the association between blood Pb levels and hyperlipidemia in adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Methods: A total of 43,196 participants in the NHANES from 1999 to 2018 were included in the final analysis. Hyperlipidemia was determined based on the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines. Blood Pb levels were assessed using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis and subgroup analysis were conducted to determine the correlation between blood Pb levels and hyperlipidemia.

Results: In the multivariable logistic regression model, high blood Pb levels were significantly associated with hyperlipidemia after adjusting for confounders (OR 1.41; 95%CI: 1.18-1.67). Furthermore, elevated blood Pb levels were associated with an increased risk of hyperlipidemia across the four quartile (Q) groups (Q1: OR 1.00; Q2: OR 1.16 [95%CI: 1.04-1.29]; Q3: OR 1.39 [95%CI: 1.21-1.59]; and Q4: OR 1.33 [95%CI: 1.15-1.54]; P for trend <0.05). Significant moderating effects were found in the subgroup analysis stratified by age, education, hypertension, and diabetes (P < 0.05). In sensitivity analysis, the ORs for hyperlipidemia across the quartiles of blood Pb levels were 1.00, 1.17 (95%CI: 1.05-1.30), 1.42 (95%CI: 1.24-1.62), and 1.38 (95%CI: 1.19-1.60) for Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively (P for trend <0.001) after removing adults with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and the ORs were 1.00, 1.13 (95%CI: 1.01-1.25), 1.38 (95%CI: 1.21-1.56), and 1.32 (95%CI: 1.16-1.52) for Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively (P for trend <0.001) after including pregnant women.

Conclusion: The current study showed a positive association between blood lead levels and hyperlipidemia.

Keywords: NHANES; adults; blood; environment pollution; hyperlipidemia; lead.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Biomarkers
Cholesterol*
Electrolytes
Female
Humans
Lead*
Nutrition Surveys
Pregnancy

Substances

Biomarkers
Cholesterol
Electrolytes
Lead