Urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites and depression: a cross-sectional study of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2016

Background The adverse effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), a group of common environmental pollutants, on mental health are unclear. This study is developed to evaluate the potential association of urinary PAH metabolites with depression in US adults. Methods Measurement of 8 urinary PAH metabolites and assessment of depression were available for 9625 adults in the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2005-2016. Multiple logistic regression models and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models were applied to evaluate the association between urinary PAH metabolites and depression. Results Among 9625 individuals with a weighted geometric mean age of 42.63 years, 801 participants suffered from depression. Significant positive dose-response relationships were observed between specific urinary PAH metabolites and the risk of depression after adjusting for potential confounders. Urinary 1-hydroxynaphthalene was positively and dose-dependently associated with the risk of depression among total participants (odds ratio: 1.188; 95% confidence interval: 1.096-1.288). In addition, each 1-unit increase of ln-transformed urinary 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydroxynaphthalene, 3-hydroxyfluorene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 2&3-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, and total PAH metabolites was associated with a 23.3%, 32.6%, 23.3%, 29.4%, 30.8%, 22.8%, 29.4%, and 31.7% increment in the risk of depression in smokers, respectively (all P and P (trend) < 0.05). Of note, the positive WQS index was also significantly associated with the increased risk of depression in smokers (1.122, 1.059-1.188). Conclusion Exposure to PAHs may elevate the risk of depression among US adults. More studies are warranted to investigate the underlying mechanism by which PAHs induce the development of depression.

Automated summary

This study found that exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may increase the risk of depression among US adults. Specific urinary PAH metabolites were positively associated with the risk of depression, particularly in smokers. Further research is needed to investigate the underlying mechanism by which PAHs induce the development of depression.