Relationship of blood heavy metals and osteoporosis among the middle-aged and elderly adults: A secondary analysis from NHANES 2013 to 2014 and 2017 to 2018

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the relationship between blood heavy metals and a higher prevalence of osteoporosis in middle-aged and elderly US adults using the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES). METHODS: The secondary data analysis was performed using the data of NHANES 2013–2014 and 2017–2018. We used the information, including physical examination, laboratory tests, questionnaires, and interviews, provided by participants in NHANES. Logistic regression and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models were used to explore the relationships between levels of blood heavy metals and a higher prevalence of osteoporosis. RESULTS: A total of 1,777 middle-aged and elderly participants were analyzed in this study, comprising 115 participants with osteoporosis and 1,662 without osteoporosis. Adjusted model 1 showed a significant positive relationship between cadmium (Cd) levels and a higher prevalence of osteoporosis (quartile 2, OR = 7.62; 95% CI, 2.01–29.03; p = 0.003; quartile 3, OR = 12.38; 95% CI, 3.88–39.60; p < 0.001; and quartile 4, OR = 15.64; 95% CI, 3.22–76.08; p = 0.001). The fourth quartile of selenium (Se) level (OR = 0.34; 95% CI, 0.14–0.39; p < 0.001) led to a lower prevalence of osteoporosis and exerted a protective effect on model 1. Other models produced similar results to those of model 1. A subgroup analysis showed that Cd levels were positively related to a higher prevalence of osteoporosis in all three models in women, while this relationship was not found in men. The fourth quartile of the Se level was related to a lower prevalence of osteoporosis in both male and female analyses. A significant positive relationship was found between the blood Cd level and a higher prevalence of osteoporosis in the non-smoking subgroup. Blood Se level showed a protective effect on the fourth quartile in both the smoking and non-smoking subgroups. CONCLUSION: Blood Cd level aggravated the prevalence of osteoporosis, while blood Se level could be a protective factor in osteoporosis among the US middle-aged and older populations.