Satellite-based estimates of long-term exposure to fine particulate matter are associated with C-reactive protein in 30 034 Taiwanese adults.
Background
Particulate matter (PM) air pollution is associated with the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the biological mechanism underlying the associations remains unclear. Atherosclerosis, the underlying pathology of cardiovascular disease, is a chronic inflammatory process. We therefore investigated the association of long-term exposure to fine PM (PM2.5) with C-reactive protein (CRP), a sensitive marker of systemic inflammation, in a large Taiwanese population.


Methods
Participants were from a large cohort who participated in a standard medical examination programme with measurements of high-sensitivity CRP between 2007 and 2014. We used a spatiotemporal model to estimate 2-year average PM2.5 exposure at each participant's address, based on satellite-derived aerosol optical depth data. General regression models were used for baseline data analysis and mixed-effects linear regression models were used for repeated data analysis to investigate the associations between PM2.5 exposure and CRP, adjusting for a wide range of potential confounders.


Results
In this population of 30 034 participants with 39 096 measurements, every 5 μg/m3 PM2.5 increment was associated with a 1.31% increase in CRP [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00%, 1.63%) after adjusting for confounders. For those participants with repeated CRP measurements, no significant changes were observed between the first and last measurements (0.88 mg/l vs 0.89 mg/l, P = 0.337). The PM2.5 concentrations remained stable over time between 2007 and 2014.


Conclusions
Long-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with increased level of systemic inflammation, supporting the biological link between PM2.5 air pollution and deteriorating cardiovascular health. Air pollution reduction should be an important strategy to prevent cardiovascular disease.
['Zhang|Zilong|Z|', 'Chang|Ly-Yun|LY|', 'Lau|Alexis K H|AKH|', 'Chan|Ta-Chien|TC|', 'Chieh Chuang|Yuan|Y|', 'Chan|Jimmy|J|', 'Lin|Changqing|C|', 'Kai Jiang|Wun|W|', 'Dear|Keith|K|', 'Zee|Benny C Y|BCY|', 'Yeoh|Eng-Kiong|EK|', 'Hoek|Gerard|G|', 'Tam|Tony|T|', 'Qian Lao|Xiang|X|']
D000328:Adult D000397:Air Pollution D015415:Biomarkers D002097:C-Reactive Protein D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases D004781:Environmental Exposure D005260:Female D006801:Humans D016014:Linear Models D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D052638:Particulate Matter D011446:Prospective Studies D063809:Satellite Imagery D062211:Spatio-Temporal Analysis D013624:Taiwan
Fine particulate matter C-reactive protein cardiovascular disease systemic inflammation