The role of aircraft noise annoyance and noise sensitivity in the association between aircraft noise levels and medication use: results of a pooled-analysis from seven European countries

Abstract

Background Few studies have considered aircraft noise annoyance and noise sensitivity in analyses of the health effects of aircraft noise, especially in relation to medication use. This study aims to investigate the moderating and mediating role of these two factors in the relationship between aircraft noise levels and medication use among 5860 residents of ten European airports included in the HYENA and DEBATS studies. Methods Information on aircraft noise annoyance, noise sensitivity, medication use, and demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle factors was collected during a face-to-face interview at home. Medication was coded according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification. Outdoor aircraft noise exposure was estimated by linking the participant’s home address to noise contours using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) methods. Logistic regressions with adjustment for potential confounding factors were used. In addition, Baron and Kenny’s recommendations were followed to investigate the moderating and mediating effects of aircraft noise annoyance and noise sensitivity. Results A significant association was found between aircraft noise levels at night and antihypertensive medication only in the UK (OR = 1.43, 95%CI 1.19–1.73 for a 10 dB(A)-increase in Lnight). No association was found with other medications. Aircraft noise annoyance was significantly associated with the use of antihypertensive medication (OR = 1.33, 95%CI 1.14–1.56), anxiolytics (OR = 1.48, 95%CI 1.08–2.05), hypnotics and sedatives (OR = 1.60, 95%CI 1.07–2.39), and antasthmatics (OR = 1.44, 95%CI 1.07–1.96), with no difference between countries. Noise sensitivity was significantly associated with almost all medications, with the exception of the use of antasthmatics, showing an increase in ORs with the level of noise sensitivity, with differences in ORs among countries only for the use of antihypertensive medication. The results also suggested a mediating role of aircraft noise annoyance and a modifying role of both aircraft noise annoyance and noise sensitivity in the association between aircraft noise levels and medication use. Conclusions The present study is consistent with the results of the small number of studies available to date suggesting that both aircraft noise annoyance and noise sensitivity should be taken into account in analyses of the health effects of exposure to aircraft noise.

Impact of Aircraft Noise on Health

“…Similarly, a higher risk for psychological distress was observed for people being extremely annoyed by noise in comparison to a lower risk for people being less annoyed [9]. Baudin et al [10] found an association between aircraft noise annoyance and the use of anxiolytics (medication for anxiety disorders), implying a mediating role of annoyance for the link of aircraft noise exposure to mental health outcomes.…”

“…No association was found for aircraft noise exposure and the use of medication indicated for mental health issues [10], and psychological distress measures [9]. However, in another study significant differences regarding depression scores between high exposure groups and the control group were observed [35].…”

“…(Basner et al [5], p. 5). Deterioration of sleep quality and interruptions of sleep together with noise annoyance [8,10] are regarded as belonging to the possible key variables in the causal pathway of noise-induced cardiovascular and metabolic diseases [77]. The consequences of interrupted sleep from transport noise can be classified as immediate reactions, short-term reactions, and long-term consequences [53,75].…”

Association between Noise Annoyance and Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Baudin, 2018 [15] Aircraft noise and psychological ill-health: the results of a crosssectional study in France France Baudin, 2021 [45] The role of aircraft noise annoyance and noise sensitivity in the association between aircraft noise levels and medication use: results of a pooled analysis from seven European countries UK, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Greece, France Beutel, 2016 [43] Noise annoyance is associated with depression and anxiety in the general population-the contribution of aircraft noise Germany Beutel, 2020 [40] Noise annoyance predicts symptoms of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance 5 years later. Findings from the Gutenberg Health Study Germany Eze, 2020 [29] Incidence of depression in relation to transportation noise exposure and noise annoyance in the SAPALDIA study Switzerland Floud, 2011 [44] Medication use in relation to noise from aircraft and road traffic in six European countries: results of the HYENA study UK, Germany, Netherland, Sweden, Italy, Greece…”

Aircraft Noise Distribution as a Fairness Dilemma—A Review of Aircraft Noise through the Lens of Social Justice Research

“…Annoyance is not only regarded as a primary adverse effect of aircraft noise, but is assumed to be part of the causal pathway of other health outcomes and thus seems to mediate the effect of aircraft noise exposure and health risks [20]. Studies suggest that people reporting high levels of annoyance to have a higher risk for hypertension [21][22][23], a decrease in reported physical well-being [24], higher psychological distress [25], and, finally, an association was found between noise annoyance and the use of medication to treat anxiety disorders [26]. In addition, noise annoyance was observed to have an effect on sleep quality [5] and physical activity [27].…”