Racial and Sex Differences between Urinary Phthalates and Metabolic Syndrome among US Adults: NHANES 2005-2014

Phthalates, plasticizers ubiquitous in household and personal care products, have been associated with metabolic disturbances. Despite the noted racial differences in phthalate exposure and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), it remains unclear whether associations between phthalate metabolites and MetS vary by race and sex. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 10,017 adults from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (2005-2014). Prevalence odds ratios (POR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for the association between 11 urinary phthalate metabolites and MetS using weighted sex and race stratified multivariable logistic regression. Higher MCOP levels were significantly associated with increased odds of MetS among women but not men, and only remained significant among White women (POR (Q4 vs. Q1) = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.29; p-trend = 0.001). Similarly, the inverse association observed with MEHP among women, persisted among White women only (POR (Q4 vs. Q1) = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.80; p-trend = 0.003). However, sigma DEHP metabolites were associated with increased odds of MetS only among men, and this finding was limited to White men (POR (Q4 vs. Q1) = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.35; p-trend = 0.06). Among Black men, an inverse association was observed with higher MEP levels (POR (Q4 vs. Q1) = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.77; p-trend = 0.01). The findings suggest differential associations between phthalate metabolites and MetS by sex and race/ethnicity.

Automated summary

The study found differential associations between phthalate metabolites and metabolic syndrome based on sex and race/ethnicity. Higher levels of MCOP were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome among women, while higher levels of MEHP showed an inverse association with metabolic syndrome among women, which was only observed in White women. Among men, sigma DEHP metabolites were associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, but this finding was limited to White men.