Associations between ambient fine particulate (PM2.5) exposure and cardiovascular disease: findings from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)

Mai, Xiaowei; Zhou, Houfeng; Li, Yangyang; Huang, Xin; Yang, Tao

Associations between ambient fine particulate (PM2.5) exposure and cardiovascular disease: findings from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)

2022

Mai, Xiaowei | Zhou, Houfeng | Li, Yangyang | Huang, Xin | Yang, Tao

The evidence regarding the association between long-term fine particulate (PM₂.₅) exposure and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in developing countries is limited. This study investigated the association between long-term exposure to PM₂.₅ and the prevalence of CVD among middle-aged and older adults. A total of 13,484 adults ≥ 45 years of age were surveyed in China, and logistic regression models were used to examine the association between PM₂.₅ and the prevalence of CVD. Furthermore, stratified analyses were conducted to explore potential effect modifiers. In addition, the burden of CVD attributable to PM₂.₅ was estimated. The analyses revealed that PM₂.₅ was associated with CVD, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.18 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12, 1.26) for each 10 μg/m³ increment in ambient PM₂.₅. Stratified analyses found that the elderly may be a vulnerable population. It was further estimated that approximately 20.27% (95% CI: 11.86%, 29.96%) of CVD cases could be attributable to PM₂.₅. This nationwide study confirmed that long-term exposure to PM₂.₅ was associated with an increased prevalence of CVD in China.

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