The exposure to volatile organic chemicals associates positively with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study from the NHANES program

Abstract

IntroductionRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease and closely associated with both genetic and environmental factors. Volatile organic chemicals (VOC), a common environment pollutant, was associated with some autoimmune diseases, while whether VOC exposure or which VOC leads to RA is yet clarified.MethodsA cross-sectional study using data from the 6 survey cycles (2005-2006, 2011-2012, 2013-2014, 2015-2016, 2017-2018, 2017-2020) of NHANES program was performed. The RA or non-arthritis status of participant was identified through a questionnaire survey. The quantile logistic regression method was used for correlation analysis between VOC metabolites (VOCs) in urine and RA. The covariates included age, gender, race, educational level, marital status, total energy intake, physical activity, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, urine creatinine, albumin and marihuana use.ResultsA total of 9536 participants (aged 20 to 85) with 15 VOCs, comprising 618 RA and 8918 non-arthritis participants, was finally included for analysis. Participants in the RA group showed higher VOCs in urine than that in the non-arthritis group. A positive association between 2 VOCs (AMCC: Q4: OR=2.173, 95%CI: 1.021, 4.627. 3HPMA: Q2: OR=2.286, 95%CI: 1.207 - 4.330; Q4: OR=2.663, 95%CI: 1.288 -5.508.) and RA was detected in the model 3, which was independent of all the covariates. The relative parent compounds of the two VOCs included N,N-Dimethylformamide and acrolein.DiscussionThese findings suggested that the VOC exposure significantly associated with RA, providing newly epidemiological evidence for the establishment that environmental pollutants associated with RA. And also, more prospective studies and related experimental studies are needed to further validate the conclusions of this study.

The association between exposure to volatile organic compounds and serum lipids in the US adult population

“…As a prevalent air pollutant, VOCs have been reported to be associated with the occurrence of diabetes [ 31 ], obesity [ 32 ], reduced lung function [ 33 ], and autoimmune diseases such as arthritis [ 34 ]. The specific mechanisms by which VOCs influence serum lipid profiles are currently not well understood [ 7 ].…”

Associations between specific volatile organic chemical exposures and cardiovascular disease risks: insights from NHANES

“…According to earlier investigations, ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI/MSMS) was used to quantitatively identify VOCs in human urine ( 18 ). Chromatographic separation was carried out using an Acquity UPLC® HSS T3 (Part No.…”

The exposure to volatile organic compounds associate positively with overactive bladder risk in U.S. adults: a cross-sectional study of 2007–2020 NHANES

“…VOCs can be produced not only naturally, but also through many human activities, including plants, animals, fuel combustion, production of paints, solvents, and more ( 2 , 3 ). Widespread airborne VOCs result in easier and more common exposures to the general population than other pollutants to which people are exposed in specific environments ( 4 , 5 ). Due to their characteristics of volatilization, solubility in water and adherence to particles, VOCs can be unintentionally absorbed through inhalation, dermal contact and ingestion through contaminated water and food ( 6 , 7 ).…”