Associations of urinary bisphenol A and its alternatives bisphenol S and F concentrations with depressive symptoms among adults.

BACKGROUND

Bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF), as substitutes for bisphenol A (BPA), are synthetic compounds detected increasingly frequently in plastics and resins. BPA, BPS, and BPF are endocrine disruptors with unclear effects on depressive symptoms. This study aims to evaluate the effects of these compounds on depressive symptoms in adults.

METHODS

We used data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2016 for BPA (N = 7,085) and NHANES 2013-2016 for BPS and BPF (N = 2,707). BPA, BPS and BPF were detected in urine samples. Depressive symptoms were assessed with a nine-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9). Logistic regression models were used to investigate the effects of urinary BPA, BPS, and BPF concentrations on depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

In the general population, no significant association was observed between urinary BPA, BPS, and BPF and depressive symptoms. However, in stratified analyses, urinary BPS was positively associated with depressive symptoms in men (odds ratio [OR], 2.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-7.47). In elderly men (≥60 years old), urinary BPA and BPS were positively correlated with depressive symptoms with ORs (95% CIs) of 5.53 (1.55-19.70) and 28.89 (4.23-192.75), respectively. In addition, urinary BPS was negatively associated with depressive symptoms (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04-0.59) in elderly women (≥60 years old).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that exposure to BPA and BPS was positively associated with depressive symptoms, especially in men. However, BPS was negatively associated with depressive symptoms in elderly women.