Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41408024›Full record

ArticleClinical rheumatology2026

Age-specific associations between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance exposure and osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study.

Chang-Jie Du, Wen-Zhuo Xu, Jian-Wen Ye, Yuan-Chen Zhao, Dong-Sheng Di, Rui-Xue Leng

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Article in Clinical rheumatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Chang-Jie Du *Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
Wen-Zhuo Xu *Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
Jian-Wen Ye *Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
Yuan-Chen ZhaoDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
Dong-Sheng DiDepartment of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China. didongsheng@ahmu.edu.cn.
Rui-Xue LengDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China. lengruixue@ahmu.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2453-5865

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThe relationship between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and osteoarthritis (OA) remains unclear. This study aims to assess the association analyzing data from the NHANES 2003-2018 cycles.

methodsWeighted multiple logistic regression and mixture analysis models were employed to evaluate the relationship between PFAS exposure and OA risk, with subgroup analyses conducted by age and sex. Mediation model was used to examine the potential mediating effect on the association between PFAS exposure and OA risk. Additionally, several sensitivity analyses were conducted.

resultsThe study included 9584 participants, of whom 1042 had OA. Weighted logistic regression analysis showed a significant negative association between serum concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, perfluorodecanoic acid, perfluoroundecanoic acid, and OA risk, with this association being more pronounced in individuals aged 60 and older. In the mixture analysis models, mixed exposure to PFAS was also negatively associated with OA risk; this correlation was significant in the population aged over 60. Sensitivity analysis results were similar. Additionally, mediation analysis did not find a significant mediating effect.

conclusionsExposure to PFAS is negatively associated with OA risk, with this association being significant in individuals aged 60 and older. To strengthen the current evidence, further comprehensive studies should be conducted. Key Points • Single PFAS exposure is associated with a reduced risk of osteoarthritis. • PFAS-mixed exposure may be negatively associated with the risk of osteoarthritis. • PFAS exposure has a more significant impact on elderly osteoarthritis patients.

Indexed as

Environmental ExposureEnvironmental PollutantsFluorocarbonsOsteoarthritisAdultAgedAge FactorsAlkanesulfonic AcidsCaprylatesCross-Sectional StudiesDecanoic AcidsFemaleHumansLogistic ModelsMaleMiddle AgedAlkanesulfonic AcidsCaprylatesDecanoic AcidsEnvironmental PollutantsFluorocarbonsperfluorodecanoic acidperfluorooctane sulfonic acidperfluorooctanoic acidMixed effectNHANESOsteoarthritisPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.