Exposure to PM10 as a risk factor for the development of nasal obstruction and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sichletidis, Lazaros; Spyratos, Dionisios; Tsiotsios, Anastasios; Haidich, Anna-Bettina; Chloros, Diamantis; Ganidis, Ioannis; Michailidis, Dimitrios; Triantafyllou, Georgios; Kottakis, George; Melas, Dimitrios
• Is Part Of: International journal of occupational and environmental health. Volume 20:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 9
• Page End: 15
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: Industrial hygiene -- Periodicals; Industrial toxicology -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Consumer goods -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1179/2049396713Y.0000000047
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-3525

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <p> <bold>Objectives:</bold> To investigate whether air pollution is a potential risk factor for airways obstruction.</p> <p> <bold>Methods:</bold> A prospective cohort study (11·3±2·9 years) that took place in two areas (Eordea where concentration of PM₁₀ was high and Grevena, Greece). We used the MRC questionnaire, spirometry, and anterior rhinomanometry at both visits.</p> <p> <bold>Results:</bold> Initially we examined 3046 subjects. After excluding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, we re-examined 872 subjects and 168 of them had developed COPD (Grevena: 24·3%, Eordea: 18·5%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the area of residence and thus exposure to air pollution was not a risk factor for the development of COPD (OR: 0·51, 95% CI: 0·18–1·46, <italic>P</italic> = 0·21). On the other hand, residence in Eordea was strongly related to the development of severe nasal obstruction (OR: 11·47, 95% CI: 6·15–21·40, <italic>P</italic>&lt;0·001). Similar results were found after excluding patients with COPD stage I as well as in the subgroup of never smokers.</p> <p> <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Air pollution was associated with severe nasal obstruction but not with COPD development.</p> </sec> </abstract>