Association between urinary biomarkers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and severe abdominal aortic calcification in adults: data from the National Health and Examination Nutrition Survey

Objective Recent studies have found that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The present study aimed to explore the association between PAHs exposure and severe abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in adults. Methods Data were collected from the 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. PAHs exposure was analyzed from urinary mono hydroxylated metabolites of PAHs. Logistic regression models and subgroup analysis were performed to explore the association of PAHs exposure with severe AAC prevalence. Results A total of 1,005 eligible individuals were recruited into the study. After adjusting for confounding factors, those with the highest quartiles of 1-hydroxynaphthalene (1-NAP: OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.03–4.68, P for trend < 0.001), 2-hydroxynaphthalene (2-NAP: OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.04–4.64, P for trend < 0.001) and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-PYR: OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.06–4.33, P for trend < 0.001) were associated with an increased prevalence of severe AAC in the adults compared to those who in the lowest quartile. Conclusion This study found that urinary 1-NAP, 2-NAP and 1-PYR were positively associated with severe AAC prevalence in adults.