Polychlorinated Biphenyls' Impact on Comorbidity Networks: Unveiling Epidemiological Patterns and offsetting Through Dietary Adjustments

Abstract Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), as a major class of organic pollutants, garnered increasing attention due to their significant ability for inter-regional accumulation and migration, prolonged half-life, and relatively high toxicity. Our study aimed to assess the impact of PCBs on various diseases and mortality risks using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), while proposing lifestyle adjustments, particularly dietary modifications, to mitigate mortality risk. Statistical analyses employed principal component analysis (PCA), multifactorial logistic regression, multifactorial Cox regression, comorbidity network analysis, and machine learning prediction models. Results indicated significant associations between 7 types of PCBs and 12 diseases (p < 0.05), with 6 diseases showing significant positive correlations (OR > 1, p < 0.05), along with listing the 25 most relevant diseases, such as asthma and chronic bronchitis (OR (95%CI) = 5.85(4.37,7.83), p<0.0001), arthritis and osteoporosis (OR (95%CI) = 6.27(5.23,7.55), p<0.0001). We proposed that PCB exposure ultimately triggered adverse progression of multiple diseases and increased mortality risk, suggesting PCBs could potentially serve as specific biomarkers for certain diseases in the future. Building upon this, we further suggested that controlling dietary intake to reduce dietary inflammatory index (DII) could lower mortality and disease risks. While PCBs were independent risk factors for mortality, ample evidence suggested that adjusting DII might mitigate the adverse effects of PCBs to some extent. Further physiological mechanisms require deeper exploration through additional research.