2026-06-14T03:46:55Zhttps://repisalud.isciii.es/rest/oai/request

oai:repisalud.isciii.es:20.500.12105/271742026-01-24T01:20:30Zcom_20.500.12105_2052com_20.500.12105_2051col_20.500.12105_19608

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Koni, Aida author Santos-Cuerva, Alvaro author Sotos-Prieto, Mercedes author Ortolá, Rosario author Olmedo, Pablo author García-Pérez, Javier author Ramis, Rebeca author Carballo-Casla, Adrián author Gil, Fernando author González-Palacios, Javier author Pastor-Barriuso, Roberto author Navas Acién, Ana author Plans-Beriso, Elena author Fernandez-Navarro, Pablo L author Rodríguez-Artalejo, Fernando author García-Esquinas, Esther author 2026 Background: Chronic exposure to low levels of lead (Pb) remains a widespread public health issue, especially among older adults. While its neurotoxic and cardiovascular effects are well recognized, its potential role in accelerating age-related musculoskeletal decline is less understood. Emerging evidence suggests Pb may contribute to sarcopenia, but epidemiological data, especially regarding the most informative biomarkers of exposure, are limited. Methods: We analyzed data from 11,842 participants aged ≥60 years across four population-based studies (NHANES III, NHANES 1999-2006, NHANES 2011-2012 and Seniors-ENRICA-2). Sarcopenia indicators included muscle strength (grip strength and chair stand test), muscle mass (Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry, calf circumference and arm circumference), and muscle function (gait speed and Short Physical Performance Battery scores). Sarcopenia was defined in the Seniors-ENRICA-2 using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 criteria. Associations between Pb exposure (serum and whole blood) and sarcopenia indicators were estimated using multivariable regression and meta-analyses. Results: Pb levels were associated with residential environmental exposures such as traffic proximity, industrial emissions, and soil contamination, explaining approximately 11% of variability in whole blood Pb and 9% in serum Pb. Both whole blood and serum Pb showed dose-dependent inverse associations with muscle sarcopenia indicators, including measures of strength, mass, and function. Associations with lower-limb outcomes were generally stronger for serum Pb comparted to whole blood Pb. An interquartile range increase in serum Pb was associated with a 1.33-fold increase in the odds of confirmed or severe sarcopenia (95% CI: 1.02, 1.70), compared to a 1.20-fold increase for whole blood Pb (95% CI: 1.06, 1.36). Conclusions: Environmental Pb exposure is associated with detrimental effects on musculoskeletal health and contributes to sarcopenia in older adults. Serum Pb may be a more sensitive biomarker of musculoskeletal aging than whole blood Pb and should be considered in future research and surveillance strategies. Koni A, Santos-Cuerva A, Sotos-Prieto M, Ortolá R, Olmedo P, García-Pérez J, Ramis R, Carballo-Casla A, Gil F, González-Palacios J, Pastor-Barriuso R, Navas Acién A, Plans-Beriso E, Fernández-Navarro P, Rodríguez-Artalejo F, García-Esquinas E. Blood-based Lead Biomarkers And Sarcopenia Indicators In Older Adults. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle (2026) https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.70179. 10.1002/jcsm.70179 2190-6009 2190-5991 Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12105/27174 Lead Heavy metal Pollution Muscle strength Muscle function Sarcopenia Blood-based Lead Biomarkers And Sarcopenia Indicators In Older Adults