Association between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and hyperuricemia: sex-specific analysis

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl(PFAS) substances are the most common environmental pollutants, which has an inconsistent association with hyperuricemia across different populations. This study explored the relationship between hyperuricemia and different gender PFAS and PFAS mixtures, using data from two cycles of the NHANES from 2015-2018. Weighted logistic regression results showed that the correlation between individual PFAS and hyperuricemia was significant only in men. Compared to the reference quartile, the fourth quartile of n-PFOA increased the risk of hyperuricemia in men (OR: 2.79, 95% CI: 1.50, 5.18). The Qgcomp model results showed that each quartile increase in the serum concentration of PFAS mixtures was associated with an increased likelihood of hyperuricemia in the total population, with odds ratios (OR) for men and women being 1.74 (95% CI: 1.26, 2.40), and 2.04 (95% CI: 1.35, 3.16), respectively. we concluded that PFAS might increase the risk of hyperuricemia in adults.