Long-term PM2.5 exposure and new-onset lung diseases among middle-aged and older adults in China

A retrospective cohort study from CHARLS

Bibliographic Data

ID22089953
AuthorsXiaojun Wu (0000-0002-8519-104X, Northwest University), Kai Zhang (0000-0002-7401-2931, Northwest University), Daihua Yu, Dong-Soo Yu (Northwest University), Jingjing Li (0009-0006-0033-1522, Northwest University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume13
Pages1549830-1549830
Publication date2025-05-07
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2025.1549830
PMID40401054
OpenAlexW4410182946
LanguageEN
References cited34

Background Air pollution caused by ambient fine particulate matter (≤ 2.5 μm) adversely affects human health. Previous studies have shown that PM2.5 exposure increases the risk of lung diseases. However, the relationship between long-term PM2.5 exposure and new-onset lung diseases among middle-aged and older adults in China is still unclear. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study through the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and Science Data Bank (ScienceDB). The logistic regression model and restricted cubic spline (RCS) were used to explore the relationship between long-term PM2.5 exposure and new-onset lung diseases. To further increase the robustness of the results, we performed sensitivity and subgroup analyses. Results A total of 10,707 patients were included in this study. The 10,707 patients were divided into two groups: without new-onset lung diseases ( n = 9,019) and with new-onset lung diseases ( n = 1,688). The results of multivariate analysis showed that per 1 ug/m 3 increase in annual PM2.5 concentration, the risk of new lung diseases increased by 0.3%. The results of the RCS showed that PM2.5 exposure increased the risk of new-onset lung diseases more significantly when the annual PM2.5 concentration was greater than 48.5 ug/m 3 . Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis also confirmed the reliability of the results. Conclusion PM2.5 exposure increases the risk of new-onset lung diseases among middle-aged and old adults in China, especially when the concentration of PM2.5 > 48.5 ug/m 3 . Our study established an empirical foundation for refining PM2.5 emission regulations, developing age-stratified screening protocols for incident pulmonary diseases, and advancing mechanistic investigations into PM2.5-induced lung pathology

China · Cohort · Cohort study · Geography · Longitudinal study · Pathology · Retrospective cohort study · Air Quality and Health Impacts · Air Quality Monitoring and Forecasting · Demography · Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging · Medicine · Gerontology · Internal Medicine · Pediatrics

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