Association between exposure to ambient particulate matter and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: results from a cross-sectional study in China

Abstract

ObjectiveThe association between exposure to ambient particles with a median aerodynamic diameter less than 10/2.5 µm (particulate matter, PM10/2.5) and COPD remains unclear. Our study objective was to examine the association between ambient PM10/2.5 concentrations and lung functions in adults.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in southern China. Seven clusters were randomly selected from four cities across Guangdong province. Residents aged ≥20 years in the participating clusters were randomly recruited; all eligible participants were examined with a standardised questionnaire and spirometry. COPD was defined as a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC less than 70%. Atmosphere PM sampling was conducted across the clusters along with our survey.ResultsOf the subjects initially recruited, 84.4% (n=5993) were included for analysis. COPD prevalence and atmosphere PM concentration varied significantly among the seven clusters. COPD prevalence was significantly associated with elevated PM concentration levels: adjusted OR 2.416 (95% CI 1.417 to 4.118) for >35 and ≤75 µg/m3 and 2.530 (1.280 to 5.001) for >75 µg/m3 compared with the level of ≤35 µg/m3 for PM2.5; adjusted OR 2.442 (95% CI 1.449 to 4.117) for >50 and ≤150 µg/m3 compared with the level of ≤50 µg/m3 for PM1. A 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentrations was associated with a 26 mL (95% CI −43 to −9) decrease in FEV1, a 28 mL (−49 to −8) decrease in FVC and a 0.09% decrease (−0.170 to −0.010) in FEV1/FVC ratio. The associations of COPD with PM10 were consistent with PM2.5 but slightly weaker.ConclusionsExposure to higher PM concentrations was strongly associated with increased COPD prevalence and declined respiratory function.Trial registration number ChiCTR-OO-14004264; Post-results.

Winter Is Coming: A Socio-Environmental Monitoring and Spatiotemporal Modelling Approach for Better Understanding a Respiratory Disease

“…The primary focus of this study was to examine the impact of air pollution on patterns of COPD hospital admissions, and, our results support the finding mentioned in previously conducted studies [5,6] that highlight the important role of air pollution as a risk factor for COPD. This study therefore contributes further evidence that mitigating air pollution would potentially lead to lower rates of hospitalisations for those with COPD.…”

“…The effect of both chronic and acute air pollution exposure on human health has been broadly discussed in the scientific literature [3,4]. While the relationship between air pollution and COPD is not entirely understood, the majority of studies indicate air pollution as an important cause of the disease [5][6][7] or at least as a source of disease exacerbation (often in the combination with other causes) leading were hospitalised more frequently than females. The age structure of those hospitalised (Figure 1) shows that the increase in the number of hospitalisations is apparent for both males and females older than 50 years, as COPD is a disease affecting middle-aged and elderly persons [27,28].…”

Air Pollution in the Asia-Pacific Region. A Joint Asian Pacific Society of Respirology/American Thoracic Society Perspective

“…[34][35][36] Adult lung health Studies conducted in the AP region have found that, among adults, acute increases in ambient air pollution lead to increases in hospital and doctor visits for respiratory infections [37][38][39] and exacerbations of chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma [40][41][42][43] and COPD. 37,[44][45][46][47] Respiratory-related death rates are higher after periods of poor ambient air quality in Asian cities, particularly among the elderly. [48][49][50][51][52][53] For example, dust from the Mongolian desert has been associated with respiratory morbidity and mortality in East Asia 51,54,55 and vegetation fires in equatorial Asia have been associated with emergency department visits in Australia and increased mortality in Indonesia, Malaysia and Adapted from Figure 12.1 in Bell and Samet 101 with permission.…”

Chronic Exposure to Ambient Particulate Matter Induces Gut Microbial Dysbiosis in a Rat COPD Model

“…Industrial activities, vehicular emissions, and household biomass combustion are major sources of ambient particulate matter (PM) [1,2]. Incomplete combustion of biomass fuel and living in proximity to traffic have been associated with a high prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [3,4], while reductions in ambient PM have been shown to decrease the risk of COPD [5]. Therefore, it is important to elucidate the mechanism of ambient PM-induced COPD.…”