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

The evidence regarding the association between long-term fine particulate (PM) exposure and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in developing countries is limited. This study investigated the association between long-term exposure to PM 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 PM and the prevalence of CVD. Furthermore, stratified analyses were conducted to explore potential effect modifiers. In addition, the burden of CVD attributable to PM was estimated. The analyses revealed that PM 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/m increment in ambient PM. 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 PM. This nationwide study confirmed that long-term exposure to PM was associated with an increased prevalence of CVD in China.