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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental pollutants primarily from the incomplete combustion of organic materials. Myriads of studies have reported the associations between PAH exposure with several adverse health outcomes. However, no previous study had explored the relationship between PAH exposure with muscle strength in the elderly population. In the present study, we included 473 elderly adults who were obtained from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2001–2006). PAH metabolites were measured in urine samples. Muscle strength was determined as the isokinetic strength of the quadriceps. Pertinent variables were analyzed by various standard measurements. The association between PAH exposure and muscle strength was examined using multivariable linear regression models. After fully adjusting for covariables, PAH metabolites had a negative relationship with muscle strength, especially 3-fluorene (β = –0.021, 95% CI: –0.042, 0.000) and 2-fluorene (β = –0.020, 95% CI: –0.034, –0.005). Notably, the relationship remained significant in males, but not in females. PAH exposure is associated with decreased muscle strength in the US elderly population. Further studies are needed to bring to light the underlying mechanisms for these findings. In addition, it is important to provide interventions and determine strategies for treating the adverse impact of PAH exposure on dynapenia. Novelty PAH exposure is associated with decreased muscle strength in elderly adults. The adverse impact remains in males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are regarded as environmental pollutants that contribute to several adverse health outcomes. There is no research evidence to support a connection between PAH exposure and hearing loss. Our study aimed to determine the association between PAH exposure and hearing threshold shifts using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,071 US adults participating in the NHANES from 2001 to 2004. The association between PAH metabolites and the log-transformed hearing threshold was investigated using multivariate regression models, which included log-transformed, low-frequency and high-frequency thresholds. After additional pertinent adjustments, a positive correlation between PAH metabolite concentration and log-transformed hearing thresholds was observed. Individuals in the fourth quartile of PAH metabolite concentration had higher hearing thresholds compared with those in the first quartile of PAH metabolite concentration. Exposure to PAHs is related to hearing threshold shift at both low and high frequencies in the US adult population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence of the association between global cognitive function and mortality is much, but whether specific cognitive function is related to mortality is unclear. To address the paucity of knowledge on younger populations in the US, we analyzed the association between specific cognitive function and mortality in young and middle-aged adults. We analyzed data from 5,144 men and women between 20 and 59 years of age in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988–94) with mortality follow-up evaluation through 2006. Cognitive function tests, including assessments of executive function/processing speed (symbol digit substitution) and learning recall/short-term memory (serial digit learning), were performed. All-cause mortality was the outcome of interest. After adjusting for multiple variables, total mortality was significantly higher in males with poorer executive function/processing speed (hazard ratio (HR) 2.02; 95% confidence interval 1.36 to 2.99) and poorer recall/short-term memory (HR 1.47; 95% confidence interval 1.02 to 2.12). After adjusting for multiple variables, the mortality risk did not significantly increase among the females in these two cognitive tests groups. In this sample of the US population, poorer executive function/processing speed and poorer learning recall/short-term memory were significantly associated with increased mortality rates, especially in males. This study highlights the notion that poorer specific cognitive function predicts all-cause mortality in young and middle-aged males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Although the link between hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome had been recognized, the association of the dyslipidemia among individuals with hyperuricemia remains not comprehensively assessed. Methods. Using NHANES III study, we examined the relation between serum lipid profiles and different serum uric acid levels, including serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein-B, lipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein AI, ratio of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol, and ratio of apolipoprotein-B to AI. Results. After adjusting for potential confounders, average differences (95% confidence interval) comparing the top to the bottom (reference) serum uric acid were 0.29 (0.19, 0.39) mmol/L for total cholesterol, 0.33 (0.26, 0.41) mmol/L for triglycerides, 0.14 (0.01, 0.27) mmol/L for LDL cholesterol, −0.08 (−0.11, −0.05) mmol/L for HDL, and 0.09 (0.05, 0.12) g/L for serum apolipoprotein-B. Notably, ratios of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein-B to AI were also linearly associated with uric acid levels (P for trend < 0.001). Conclusions. This study suggested that serum LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein-B levels, ratio of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol, and ratio of apolipoprotein-B to AI are strongly associated with serum uric acid levels, whereas serum HDL cholesterol levels are significantly inversely associated. In the clinical practice, the more comprehensive strategic management to deal with dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the link between impaired lung function and cardiovascular events and type 2 diabetes mellitus has been recognized, the association between impaired lung function and metabolic syndrome has not been comprehensively assessed in the United States (U.S.) population. The aim of our study was to explore the association between impaired lung function and metabolic syndrome in a nationally representative sample of men and women. This cross-sectional population-based study included 8602 participants aged 20–65 years in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). We examined the relationship between the different features of metabolic syndrome and lung function, including forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). After adjusting for potential confounders such as age, body mass index, inflammatory factors, medical condition, and smoking status, participants with more components of metabolic syndrome had lower predicted values of FVC and FEV1 (p for trend <0.001 for both). Impaired pulmonary function was also associated with individual components of metabolic syndrome, such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and low high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (p<0.05 for all parameters). These results from a nationally representative sample of US adults suggest that a greater number of features of metabolic syndrome is strongly associated with poorer FVC and FEV1. In clinical practice, more comprehensive management strategies to address subjects with metabolic syndrome and impaired lung function need to be developed and investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are not only natural but also anthropogenic contaminants that exist in many places in the environment. Human beings often accidentally ingest PAHs via smoking. Furthermore, smoking may increase the risk of bowel disorder, including diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. Therefore, PAH exposure is hypothesized to be related to diarrhea risk. This study discusses the association between diarrhea and PAH exposure in the United States adult population. Method: 10,537 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2001–2006) were involved in this cross-sectional analysis. Bowel disorders were assessed via examination of stool frequency and stool type. The concentrations of urinary PAH metabolites were used to evaluate PAH exposure. The association between bowel habits and PAH exposure was assessed using a multivariate logistic regression model with covariate assessment of gender, age, race, liver function, kidney function, and common chronic health diseases. Results: All PAH metabolites except 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 1-hydroxypyrene, and 9-hydroxyfluorene were substantially correlated with an increased risk of diarrhea (p < 0.05) after modification of relevant covariables. This study also revealed significant association in the group of females (p < 0.05). Furthermore, all PAH metabolites except 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, and 9-hydroxyfluorene show significantly positive association in the non-obesity group (BMI < 30, p < 0.05). Conclusions: PAH exposure is highly associated with risk of bowel disorders among the adult population in the United States, especially in female and non-obesity populations. More research is necessary to shed light on the pathophysiological mechanisms associated to PAH exposure and diarrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupational polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure has been shown to increase the risk of various cancers and may be associated with carcinogenic mortality. However, no study has explored the relationship between environmental PAH exposure and mortality in general population. The aim of our study was to explore the association between PAH exposure and all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in a general US adult population. We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2001-2006) based on the information in this dataset on 692 males and 717 females. PAH exposure was detected using biomarkers from urine samples. Follow-up data on mortality were derived from initial examination of the subjects until death or 31 December 2006 in the NHANES database. We calculated hazard ratios (HRs) of PAH metabolites among all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality using the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model after adjusting for covariates. Among males, 3-phenanthrene was positively associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR 1.043, 95%CI 1.019-1.066). Female participants with higher 2-napthol (HR 1.043, 95%CI 1.014-1.072), 3-fluorene (HR 2.159, 95%CI 1.233-3.779), and 1-phenanthrene (HR = 1.259, 95%CI 1.070-1.481) levels had increased all-cause mortality. In addition, high 3-phenanthrene (HR 1.333, 95%CI 1.008-1.763) and 1-phenanthrene (HR 1.463, 95%CI 1.126-1.900) levels increased the risk of cardiovascular mortality. However, there were no significant findings for cancer mortality in both genders. Environmental PAH exposure among the adult population is associated with non-carcinogenic but not cancer mortality. Future studies are warranted to determine the underlying mechanisms related to these findings.

Background: Cigarette smoking is a risk factor of osteoporosis and bone fracture. Tobacco smoke contains several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Thus, we hypothesized that environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure is associated with bone loss and fracture risk. The present study examined the association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and bone turnover in the general adult population., Methods: A total of 1408 eligible participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2001-2006) were included in this cross-sectional analysis. The levels of urinary N-telopeptide and serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, which are biomarkers of bone resorption and formation, respectively, were assessed. Meanwhile, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure was evaluated using the concentrations of urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites. The association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposures and N-telopeptide, and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels was assessed using a multivariate linear regression model., Results: All polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites except 3-phenanthrene were significantly associated with increased N-telopeptide levels (P < 0.05) after adjustment of relevant covariables. However, no significant relationship was observed between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels. This relationship remained significant after the participants were assessed according to sex (P < 0.05). Additionally, all polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites showed a positive association with N-telopeptide levels in participants aged <60 years (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure is associated with increased bone resorption among the general adult population in the United States. Further studies must assess the potential mechanisms associated with the adverse effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure on bone loss.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental pollutants. Exposure to PAHs is associated with several adverse health outcomes. However, no previous study has examined the relationship between PAH exposure and functional dependence in an elderly population. Our aim was to examine whether PAH exposure was associated with functional dependence including total disability, activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), leisure and social activities (LSA), lower extremity mobility (LEM), and general physical activities (GPA) in an elderly population. A total of 5816 elderly adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2001 to 2006 were examined. PAH exposure was measured by urinary biomarkers. Functional dependence was assessed by 19 structured questions. The association between PAH exposures with functional dependence was performed by using a multivariable linear regression model. After adjusting for pertinent variables, positive associations were observed between the total number of disabilities and 2-naphthalene and 1-pyrene quartiles (all P trend  < 0.05). There was a dose-dependent relationship between 1-pyrene quartiles and all functional dependence domains, and the higher quartile of 1-pyrene was more closely associated with functional impairment (all P trend  < 0.05). PAH exposure is associated with functional dependence in American elderly adults. Future research is needed to bring to light the pathophysiological underlying mechanisms related to these findings.

Epidemiological studies have shown that mid-arm circumference (MAC) can be used to predict death risk and malnutrition. We performed a retrospective observational study involving 11,958 US participants aged 20-90 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III, 1988-1994, to determine the correlation between MAC and all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality risk in the obese and non-obese population. Death certificate data were obtained up to 2006. The participants were divided into three groups on the basis of body mass index: 19 ≤ BMI < 25 kg/m 2 (normal weight group), 25 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m 2 (overweight group) and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 (obesity group); each group was then divided into three subgroups depending on their MAC level. In the non-obese population, MAC was inversely associated with all-cause mortality; specifically, in the normal weight group, the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio of the T3 (29.6-42.0) cm subgroup was 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.58-0.90) when compared with the T1 (18.0-27.2) cm, while the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio of the T2 (27.3-29.5) cm subgroup was 0.76 (95% confidence interval: 0.64-0.91) when compared with the T1 (18.0-27.2) cm subgroup. The results indicate that MAC is inversely associated with all-cause mortality in non-obese individuals in the United States.