Xuefang Li,1 Zhijun Li,2 Jian Ye,2 Wu Ye2 

1Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Respiratory Diseases, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Wu Ye, Department of Respiratory Diseases, Zhejiang Hospital, 1229 Gudun Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310013, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 15158100052, Email yewu55@126.com

Objective: To determine the association of urinary phthalate metabolites with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), airflow obstruction, lung function and respiratory symptoms.
Methods: Our study included a total of 2023 individuals aged ≥ 40 years old in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to explore the correlation of eleven urinary phthalate metabolites (MCNP, MCOP, MECPP, MnBP, MCPP, MEP, MEHHP, MEHP, MiBP, MEOHP, and MBzP) with COPD, airflow obstruction and respiratory symptoms. Linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between urinary phthalate metabolites and lung function.
Results: When compared to the first tertile, the third tertile of MEHHP was associated with the risk of COPD [OR: 2.779; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.129– 6.840; P = 0.026]. Stratified analysis showed that MEHHP increased the risk of COPD by 7.080 times in male participants. Both MCPP and MBzP were positively correlated with the risk of airflow obstruction. The third tertile of MBzP increased the risk of cough by 1.545 (95% CI: 1.030– 2.317; P = 0.035) times. Both FEV1 and FVC were negatively associated with MEHHP, MECPP, MnBP, MEP, MiBP and MEOHP.
Conclusion: Higher levels of MEHHP are associated with increased risk of COPD, and lower measures of FEV1 and FVC. MBzP is positively related to airflow obstruction and cough.

Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, phthalate, airflow obstruction, lung function, national health and nutrition examination survey