Association of multi-metal exposure with bone and joint diseases

Objective To investigate the association of exposure to multiple metals with the risk of bone and joint diseases among residents in Guangdong Province, China.

Methods This community-based cross-sectional study enrolled a total of 3 063 adult participants from 11 districts in Guangdong Province. The blood concentrations of 13 metals were measured to assess internal exposure levels. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to assess the relationship between blood metal levels and bone and joint diseases.

Results The single-metal models revealed significant dose-response relationships between the blood concentrations of chromium, zinc, and copper and the risk of bone and joint diseases (all P_trend≤0.05). The multi-metal logistic regression models showed that compared with those of the lowest-level groups (Q1), blood copper and zinc concentrations of the highest-level groups (Q4) were significantly associated with the risk of bone and joint diseases (odds ratio OR = 0.78, 95% confidence interval CI: 0.53-0.93; OR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.07-1.34).

Conclusion Environmental exposure to copper and zinc is associated with bone and joint diseases, which needs further verification in a larger population.