The Correlation Between Heavy Metal Cadmium and the Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to analyze the blood cadmium level and prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the general population and explore the correlation between blood cadmium levels and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: From February to December 2017, a multistage, random cluster sampling method was adopted to conduct this cross-sectional epidemiological survey of permanent residents aged >18 years in Nanchang, Jiangxi province (including one urban area, Changdong district and one county, Jinxing county). Blood cadmium levels and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the population were analyzed, and the correlation between blood cadmium levels and the incidence of type 2 diabetes was analyzed. Results: The average blood cadmium content of the population in Nanchang (Changdong town, Jinxian county) was 2.91 ± 0.08 ug/L, and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 9.2%. The average blood cadmium content of the population in Jinxian county was higher than that of the population of the Changdong district. The results of multivariate regression analysis indicate that high blood cadmium levels are a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Conclusions: Elevated levels of cadmium in human blood may be a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.