Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/ IdiPaz and CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Calle del Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
Curr Environ Health Rep. 2017 Mar;4(1):12-20. doi: 10.1007/s40572-017-0128-1.
Frailty is an age-related syndrome characterized by reductions in strength, endurance, and physiologic function that increase an individual's vulnerability for developing dependence or death. Extensive research is currently being conducted to determine preventable risk factors and mechanistic pathways of frailty. This review summarizes the existing evidence on the potential associations between environmental pollutants, limitations in physical functioning, and frailty among older adults.
We found only a few studies evaluating the association between specific environmental pollutants and frailty. Cross-sectional studies suggest an association between second-hand smoke and lead exposure with the prevalence of functional limitations and frailty in older adults; they also suggest a link between cobaltum exposure and walking problems. One longitudinal study found an increased risk of frailty after PM2.5 exposure among individuals hospitalized with a myocardial infarction, while another found an inverse association between cadmium and phthalate exposure and hand-grip strength. There is a clear need for more studies to assess the effects of environmental pollution on physical functioning decline, frailty development, and its progression. Environmental and geriatric epidemiologists should work together to address important research challenges.
衰弱是一种与年龄相关的综合征，其特征是力量、耐力和生理功能下降，使个体更容易出现依赖或死亡。目前正在进行广泛的研究，以确定衰弱的可预防风险因素和机制途径。本综述总结了现有关于环境污染物、身体功能限制与老年人衰弱之间潜在关联的证据。
我们仅发现了少数几项评估特定环境污染物与衰弱之间关联的研究。横断面研究表明，二手烟和铅暴露与老年人功能障碍和衰弱的发生率有关；它们还表明钴暴露与行走问题之间存在关联。一项纵向研究发现，在因心肌梗死住院的个体中，暴露于 PM2.5 后衰弱的风险增加，而另一项研究发现，镉和邻苯二甲酸酯暴露与握力呈负相关。显然需要更多的研究来评估环境污染对身体功能下降、衰弱发展及其进展的影响。环境和老年病流行病学学家应共同努力，应对重要的研究挑战。
