Abstract
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC? Thallium (Tl) is significantly more toxic than heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. However, previous studies examining the relationship between Tl exposure and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) have yielded inconsistent results. WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT? The study demonstrated that elevated urinary Tl levels were associated with a higher prevalence of CKD and a reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), particularly among older adults. These findings were consistent in the restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE? This study identified Tl as a risk factor for decreased renal function, underscoring the need to enhance surveillance of Tl to mitigate the disease burden of CKD.