Influence of PM2.5 Exposure Level on the Association between Alzheimer’s Disease and Allergic Rhinitis

A National Population-Based Cohort Study

Bibliographic Data

ID17801023
AuthorsRuo-Ling Li (Chung Shan Medical University), Yung‐Chyuan Ho (Chung Shan Medical University), Yung-Chyuan Ho (Chung Shan Medical University), Ci-Wen Luo (0000-0001-6921-6940, Chung Shan Medical University), Shiuan‐Shinn Lee (Chung Shan Medical University, corresponding author), Shiuan-Shinn Lee (Chung Shan Medical University), Yu‐Hsiang Kuan (0000-0002-8991-6394, Chung Shan Medical University, corresponding author)
Year2019
Volume16
Issue18
Pages3357-3357
Publication date2019-09-11
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph16183357
PMID31514400
OpenAlexW2972418758
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited30

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible neurodegenerative disease that leads to dementia, health impairment, and high economic cost. Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammatory and allergic disease of the respiratory system that leads to health problems and has major effects on the daily lives of patients and their caregivers. Particulate matter (PM) refers to air pollutants 2.5 μm or less in diameter that are a source of concern because of their role in numerous diseases, including AR and other neurodegenerative diseases. To date, no study has demonstrated how PM 2.5 exacerbates AR and results in AD. We conducted a national population-based cohort study by obtaining patient data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan for the 2008-2013 period. PM 2.5 concentration data were obtained from the ambient air quality monitoring network established by the Environmental Protection Administration of Taiwan. Monthly PM 2.5 exposure levels were categorized into quartiles from Q1-Q4. The Cox proportional hazards analysis, after adjusting for age, sex, low income, and urbanization level, revealed that patients with AR had an elevated risk of developing AD (hazard ratio (HR): 2.008). In addition, the cumulative incidence of AD in the AR group was significantly higher than in the comparison group. The PM 2.5 levels at Q2-Q4 (crude HR: 1.663-8.315; adjusted HR: 1.812-8.981) were stratified on the basis of the PM 2.5 exposure group and revealed that AR patients exposed to PM 2.5 are significantly prone to develop AD. In addition, the logistic regression analyses, after adjustment, demonstrated that an increase in the PM 2.5 exposure level at Q2-Q4 (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 2.656-5.604) increased the risk of AR in AD patients. In conclusion, an increased PM 2.5 exposure level could be correlated with AR, which could in turn cause AD. AR increased the risk of AD, in which exposure to PM 2.5 increases the higher probability of AD

Alzheimer's disease · Cohort · Cohort study · Confidence interval · Dementia · Disease · Environmental health · Hazard ratio · Population · Proportional hazards model · Quartile · Air Quality and Health Impacts · Allergic Rhinitis and Sensitization · Medicine · Noise Effects and Management · Internal Medicine

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