Household mold exposure and arthritis in older Chinese adults: evidence from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS).

The prevalence of arthritis among older Chinese adults in the 2014 CLHLS wave was 13.2%.

• Data were drawn from the 2014 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS).
• Participants with arthritis were more likely to be younger, female, reside in city, engage in physical activity, have higher BMI, and report mold exposure compared to those without arthritis.

Household mold exposure was significantly associated with higher odds of arthritis in older Chinese adults.

• In unadjusted/minimally adjusted Model 1, mold exposure was associated with arthritis (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.05–1.65).
• In the fully adjusted Model 2, the association remained significant (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.08–1.71).
• Logistic regression models adjusted for demographic, lifestyle, and health-related covariates were used to estimate the association.

The association between mold exposure and arthritis persisted after propensity score matching (PSM).

• 1:2 propensity score matching was applied to improve covariate balance in the first sensitivity analysis.
• After PSM, Model 1 showed OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.03–1.71.
• After PSM, Model 2 showed OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.03–1.73.
• The association was further confirmed in the second sensitivity analysis using the 2018 wave, which additionally adjusted for indoor ventilation, vitamin supplementation, and analgesic use.

Drinking status significantly modified the relationship between mold exposure and arthritis.

• Subgroup and interaction analyses were conducted to explore potential effect modifiers.
• The P for interaction for drinking status was < 0.05.
• No other specific interaction terms were reported as statistically significant.

Analgesic use was additionally found to be associated with arthritis in the sensitivity analysis using the 2018 wave.

• The second sensitivity analysis used the 2018 CLHLS wave and additionally adjusted for indoor ventilation, vitamin supplementation, and analgesic use.
• Analgesic use was identified as an additional variable associated with arthritis in this analysis.
• The authors conclude that both mold exposure and analgesic use are associated with an increased likelihood of arthritis in older adults.