Is long-term PM exposure associated with blood lipids and dyslipidemias in a Chinese rural population?

BACKGROUND

Air pollution has been shown to be associated with blood lipid levels. However, studies on long-term ambient particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤1 μm (PM) exposure in high-exposure areas are still limited. This study aimed to explore the associations among long-term PM exposure, blood lipids and dyslipidemias.

METHODS

Baseline data of The Henan Rural Cohort study was used in present study, including a total of 39,259 participants aged from 18 to 79 years. Daily levels of PM were estimated by a spatiotemporal model using ground-level measurements of PM, satellite remote sensing data and other predictors, according to participants' home addresses. Individual exposure to PM was the 3-year average before baseline investigation. Linear regression and logistic regression models were applied to examine the associations among PM, blood lipids ((total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)), and prevalence of dyslipidemias.

RESULTS

The 3-year concentration of PM was 55.7 ± 2.1 μg/m. Each 1 μg/m increment of PM was associated with an increase of 0.21% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.11%-0.31%) in TC and 0.75% (95% CI: 0.61%-0.90%) in LDL-C, while decrease of 2.68% (95% CI: 2.43%-2.93%) in TG and 0.47% (95% CI: 0.35%-0.59%) in HDL-C. Each 1 μg/m increase in PM was associated with 6% (95% CI: 4%-8%), 3% (95% CI: 2%-5%) and 5% (95% CI: 3%-7%) higher risks of hypercholesterolemia, hyperbetalipoproteinemia and hypoalphalipoproteinemia. Sex, age and BMI statistically modified the associations between PM with blood lipid levels and dyslipidemias.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher PM exposure was associated with adverse changes of blood lipid levels and dyslipidemias. Males, older and overweight participants were susceptive to the adverse effects of PM.