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. 2004 Mar;59(3):194–198. doi: 10.1136/thorax.2003.012054

Urinary cadmium levels predict lower lung function in current and former smokers: data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

D Mannino 1, F Holguin 1, H Greves 1, A Savage-Brown 1, A Stock 1, R Jones 1
PMCID: PMC1746977  PMID: 14985551

Abstract

Methods: The following data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analysed: urinary cadmium (adjusted for urinary creatinine), lung function, sex, race/ethnicity, age, education level, job category, body mass index, serum cotinine level, and smoking history. Linear regression models were developed to predict lung function using urinary cadmium as the main predictor, adjusting for other covariates and stratified by smoking status.

Results: Data were available on 16 024 adults. Current smokers had higher mean (SE) urinary cadmium/creatinine levels (0.46 (0.01) µg/g) than former (0.32 (0.01) µg/g) or never smokers (0.23 (0.01) µg/g). Higher levels of urinary cadmium were associated with significantly lower forced expiratory volumes in 1 second (FEV1) in current (-2.06%, 95% confidence interval (CI) –2.86 to -1.26 per 1 log increase in urinary cadmium) and former smokers (-1.95%, 95% CI –2.87 to -1.03) but not in never smokers (-0.18%, 95% CI –0.60 to 0.24). Similar results were obtained for forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC.

Conclusions: Cadmium, which is known to cause emphysema in occupational settings, may also be important in the development of tobacco related lung disease.

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Selected References

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