Association between bone mineral density and blood lead level in menopausal women: Analysis of 2008–2009 Korean national health and nutrition examination survey data

We present data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2009 on the association of blood lead levels with bone mineral density (BMD) in menopausal women. This cross-sectional analysis was restricted to female participants ≥40 years of age who completed the health examination survey, including blood lead measurement and BMD (n=832). Menopausal status was categorized into pre- and postmenopausal. Postmenopausal status was further categorized into natural and surgical menopause. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to determine significant predictors of blood lead level among menopause- and BMD-related variables after adjustment for covariates. Premenopausal women had a geometric mean blood lead level of 2.000μg/dL, compared with 2.274μg/dL and 2.336μg/dL for naturally and surgically menopausal women, respectively. The data suggested that menopausal status and BMD were predictors of blood lead level among women aged ≥40 years. BMD was significantly inversely associated with blood lead level in menopausal women after adjustment for covariates. This study found a significant inverse association between BMD and the blood lead level in menopausal women in a representative sample of Korean women. A few reports have shown an association between BMD and the blood lead level in Asian populations. This study suggests that postmenopausal bone mineral resorption is related to increased blood lead levels in menopausal women. ► We showed the association of blood lead with bone mineral density in Korean population. ► This study was based on data obtained by KNHANES 2008-9. ► Blood lead level was inversely associated with bone mineral density in menopausal women.