Association between urinary lead and bone health in a general population from Taiwan

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2016 Sep;26(5):481-7. doi: 10.1038/jes.2015.30. Epub 2015 Jul 8.

Abstract

Lead accumulates in adult bones for many decades; previous studies have shown lead's detrimental effects on osteoblast and osteoclast activity in association with bone remodeling. Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones resulting in low bone mass that induces fragile bones and hence susceptibility of fracture. We estimated the association between urinary lead (U-Pb) levels and bone health in adults participating in the third Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) from 2005 to 2008. A total of 398 participants were divided into normal (T-score>-1), osteopenic (T-score between -1 and -2.5), or osteoporotic (T-score<-2.5) groups according to the results of bone mineral density (BMD) measurements. Heavy metals were measured in urine specimens using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, age (OR=1.08; 95% CI=1.05-1.10), former smokers (OR=2.95; 95% CI=1.22-7.11) and higher U-Pb levels than upper tertile (OR=2.30; 95% CI=1.19-4.48) were associated with osteopenia/osteoporosis. Furthermore, age (OR=1.06; 95% CI=1.02-1.10) and higher U-Pb levels (OR=2.81; 95% CI=1.13-6.97) were significantly associated with osteopenia and osteoporosis in women. These results suggest that adults, particularly in women, with higher U-Pb levels may have increased odds of osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Body Mass Index
  • Bone Density / drug effects*
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / chemically induced*
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / epidemiology
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / urine*
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Lead / adverse effects*
  • Lead / urine*
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Menopause
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoporosis / urine
  • Smoking
  • Taiwan / epidemiology

Substances

  • Lead