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

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The 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.

METHODS:

A 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.

RESULTS:

Of 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.

CONCLUSIONS:

Exposure to higher PM concentrations was strongly associated with increased COPD prevalence and declined respiratory function.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:

ChiCTR-OO-14004264; Post-results.

• Authors: Sha Liu, Yumin Zhou, Suixin Liu, Xinyu Chen, Weifeng Zou, Dongxing Zhao, Xiaochen Li, Jinding Pu, Lingmei Huang, Jinlong Chen, Bing Li, Shiliang Liu, Pixin Ran
• Journal: Thorax (Thorax) Vol. 72 Issue 9 Pg. 788-795 (09 2017) ISSN: 1468-3296 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 27941160 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Chemical References

• Air Pollutants
• Particulate Matter

Topics

• Adult
• Air Pollutants (adverse effects, analysis)
• China (epidemiology)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Environmental Exposure (adverse effects, analysis)
• Environmental Monitoring (methods)
• Female
• Forced Expiratory Volume (physiology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Particulate Matter (adverse effects, analysis)
• Prevalence
• Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive (epidemiology, etiology, physiopathology)
• Risk Factors
• Spirometry (methods)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Vital Capacity (physiology)