Exposure to fine particulate pollution ups risk of hospitalization for CVD

Heavy and extremely heavy fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM_2.5) pollution events appear to markedly increase the risk of hospital admission for cardiovascular disease (CVD), suggests a recent study.

“With higher PM_2.5 concentration and longer duration of heavy PM_2.5 pollution events, a greater risk of cardiovascular hospital admission was observed,” the investigators said.

This case-crossover study was conducted to explore the link between heavy PM_2.5 pollution events and hospital admission for CVD. The Beijing Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning Information Center observed hospital admission for CVD from 2013 to 2017. Additionally, air pollution data were obtained from the Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center.

The investigators used distinct definitions to identify heavy and extremely heavy fine PM_2.5 pollution events. They also used conditional logistic regression model and estimated hospital admission burdens for CVD.

Overall, 2,202,244 hospital admissions for CVDs and 222 days of extremely heavy PM_2.5 pollution events (PM_2.5 concentration ≥150 μg/m³) were observed.

The odds ratios associated with extremely heavy PM_2.5 pollution events lasting for ≥3 days were 1.085 (95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.077–1.093) for total CVD, 1.112 (95 percent CI, 1.095–1.130) for angina, 1.068 (95 percent CI, 1.037–1.100) for myocardial infarction, 1.071 (95 percent CI, 1.053–1.090) for ischaemic stroke, and 1.060 (95 percent CI, 1.021–1.101) for heart failure.

Annually, the number and days of hospital admission for CVD associated with extremely heavy PM_2.5 pollution events lasting for 1 day or more were 3,311 (95 percent CI, 2.969–3,655) and 37,020 (95 percent CI, 33,196–40,866), respectively.

“Heavy fine PM_2.5 pollution events continue to occur frequently in developing countries,” the investigators noted.