Residential proximity to major roads, exposure to fine particulate matter and aortic calcium: the Framingham Heart Study, a cohort study

Abstract

ObjectivesTraffic and ambient air pollution exposure are positively associated with cardiovascular disease, potentially through atherosclerosis promotion. Few studies have assessed associations of these exposures with thoracic aortic calcium Agatston score (TAC) or abdominal aortic calcium Agatston score (AAC), systemic atherosclerosis correlates. We assessed whether living close to a major road and residential fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure were associated with TAC and AAC in a Northeastern US cohort.DesignCohort study.SettingFramingham Offspring and Third Generation participants residing in the Northeastern USA.Participants and outcome measuresAmong 3506 participants, mean age was 55.8 years; 50% female. TAC was measured from 2002 to 2005 and AAC up to two times (2002–2005; 2008–2011) among participants from the Framingham Offspring or Third Generation cohorts. We first assessed associations with detectable TAC (logistic regression) and AAC (generalised estimating equation regression, logit link). As aortic calcium scores were right skewed, we used linear regression models and mixed-effects models to assess associations with natural log-transformed TAC and AAC, respectively, among participants with detectable aortic calcium. We also assessed associations with AAC progression. Models were adjusted for demographic variables, socioeconomic position indicators and time.ResultsThere were no consistent associations of major roadway proximity or PM2.5 with the presence or extent of TAC or AAC, or with AAC progression. Some estimates were in the opposite direction than expected.ConclusionsIn this cohort from a region with relatively low levels of and variation in PM2.5, there were no strong associations of proximity to a major road or PM2.5 with the presence or extent of aortic calcification, or with AAC progression.

Investigation of air pollution and noise on progression of thoracic aortic calcification: results of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study

“…Indeed, in our study participants with a higher TAC at baseline had higher incidences of cardiovascular-related mortality, as well as higher rates of incident statin medication. Although air pollution exposure may contribute more to the development of early soft plaque than to progression to arterial calcification, 15 which is in line with results from our prior analysis of second-hand smoke and CAC in the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study, 30 negative associations remain to be explained. In line with our previous cross-sectional investigation 17 and results from a recent review, 5 air pollution and noise revealed independent health effect estimates.…”

“…While a linear exposureresponse for PM 2.5 (aerodynamic diameter 2.5 mm) and the progression of CAC was observed in the prospective Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort, 13 the analysis of the Framingham Study did not support associations of living close to a major road or PM 2.5 exposure with the presence or extent of CAC, TAC or AAC progression. 15,16 Road traffic noise has rarely been investigated in the context of air pollution and our previous cross-sectional investigation supported independent associations of air pollution and noise on TAC. 17 However, it remains unclear whether high air pollution exposure enhances the effect of noise on the cardiovascular system and vice versa.…”

“…Negative findings were also observed in the Framingham Heart Study, investigating associations of traffic proximity and PM 2.5 with abdominal or thoracic aortic calcification. 15,16 However, other recent studies reported that pathological subjects are Figure 2. Effect estimates (95% confidence intervals) per interquartile range (IQR) exposure increase on thoracic aortic calcification (TAC) progression in participants with TACt0 < 10: co-exposure adjustment (dark grey) and effect modification (black).…”

Air Pollution and Progression of Atherosclerosis in Different Vessel Beds—Results from a Prospective Cohort Study in the Ruhr Area, Germany

“…These findings are in line with investigations based on the Framingham Heart Study, which also found null or inverse estimates in analyses of participants with apparent calcifications at baseline ( Dorans et. al 2016 , 2017 ). One explanation for inverse associations in participants with advanced atherosclerosis at baseline could be the dominating effect of cardioprotective therapy, which is more common in participants with advanced atherosclerosis.…”

“…These findings are in line with investigations based on the Framingham Heart Study, which also found null or inverse estimates in analyses of participants with apparent calcifications at baseline -53:9 ± 9:4 5 3 :8 ± 9:4 5 3 :9 ± 9:3 5 3 :9 ± 9:3 Distance to highly trafficked road (m) -1,018:0 ± 808:7 1,033:2 ± 817:2 1,023:7 ± 811:3 1,025:5 ± 818:4 (Dorans et. al 2016(Dorans et. al , 2017.…”