The association between urinary cadmium exposure levels and overactive bladder syndrome in the U.S. adults from NHANES database

The relationship between urinary cadmium exposure levels and overactive bladder (OAB) has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the correlation between urinary cadmium exposure levels and OAB risk in adults. Laboratory data on urinary cadmium exposure levels were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database for the period 2007-2016. OAB was defined as the Overactive Bladder Syndrome Symptom Score (OABSS, score ≥ 3) according to the International Continence Society. We used weighted logistic regression modelling to assess the association between urinary cadmium exposure levels and OAB. The reliability of the findings was assessed using restricted cubic spline, subgroup analysis. A total of 7225 individuals were included in the study, with a prevalence of OAB of 18.6%. Higher U-Cd was associated with an increased risk of overactive bladder syndrome. In models 1 with unadjusted variables (OR = 1.904; 95% CI = 1.902-1.905, p < 0.001), model 2 with partially adjusted variables OR = 1.264; 95% CI = 1.263-1.265, p < 0.001) and model 3 with fully adjusted variables (OR = 1.232; 95% CI = 1.230-1.230, p < 0.001) in which the association was significant. This association remained stable across subgroups of sex, age, PIR, and BMI. Restricted cubic spline showed a linear association between U-Cd and OAB (p for nonlinear > 0.05). Urinary cadmium exposure levels are positively associated with the risk of developing OAB in the US adult population, but further studies are needed to elucidate the causal relationship between U-Cd and OAB.