Exposure to heavy metals may increase osteoporosis risk

Written By : Medha Baranwal |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2020-07-02T08:30:27+05:30 | Updated On 2 July 2020 12:38 PM IST

Iran: Exposure to heavy metals such as cadmium and lead may increase the risk of osteoporosis, according to a recent study published in the journal Osteoporosis International.

The relationship between heavy metal exposure and osteoporosis or osteopenia risk has biological plausibility, yet the association remains inconclusive. Therefore, C. Jalili, University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran, and colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the associations between exposure to heavy metals (i.e., cadmium, lead, and mercury) and the risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis.

The researchers searched databases of MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science through 2019, to identify studies that evaluated the relationship between exposure to cadmium, lead and mercury and risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis in adults. Fourteen eligible studies were included. Effect sizes expressed as pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using weighted random-effect models.

Key findings of the study include:

Exposure to cadmium (OR = 1.35) and lead (OR = 1.15) was associated with an increased risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis, unlike mercury.
Subgroup analyses showed cadmium exposure increased the risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis in older (> 65 yrs.; OR = 1.43) compared with younger (18-65 yrs.; OR = 1.24) adults.
Lead exposure increased the risk in men (OR = 1.55) unlike in women.
By contrast to urinary levels, blood (OR = 1.26) and dietary (OR = 1.46) levels of cadmium were associated with an increased risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis.

"Exposure to cadmium and lead may be associated with an increased risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis, although high heterogeneity was detected," concluded the authors.

The study, "Exposure to heavy metals and the risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis," is published in the journal Osteoporosis International.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-020-05429-6

Osteoporosis Internationalosteoporosisheavy metals

Source : Osteoporosis International

Medha Baranwal

MSc. Biotechnology

Medha Baranwal joined Medical Dialogues as an Editor in 2018 for Speciality Medical Dialogues. She covers several medical specialties including Cardiac Sciences, Dentistry, Diabetes and Endo, Diagnostics, ENT, Gastroenterology, Neurosciences, and Radiology. She has completed her Bachelors in Biomedical Sciences from DU and then pursued Masters in Biotechnology from Amity University. She has a working experience of 5 years in the field of medical research writing, scientific writing, content writing, and content management. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751