Exposure to ambient PM2.5 concentrations and cognitive function among older Mexican adults. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salinas-Rodríguez, Aarón; Fernández-Niño, Julián Alfredo; Manrique-Espinoza, Betty; Moreno-Banda, Grea Litai; Sosa-Ortiz, Ana Luisa; Qian, Zhengmin (Min); Lin, Hualiang
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 117(2018)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: 3WMT three-word memory test -- ADL basic activities of daily living -- AGEB Basic Geostatistical Areas (Spanish acronym) -- AOD aerosol optical depth -- CI confidence interval -- CIMT Carotid intima-media thickness -- ENSANUT National Survey of Health and Nutrition in Mexico (Spanish acronym) -- IADL instrumental activities of daily living -- ICC Intraclass Correlation Coefficient -- PM2.5 particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤2.5 μm -- SVF semantic verbal fluency test; Older adults -- Cognitive function -- Outdoor pollution -- Indoor pollution -- PM2.5 -- Mexico; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.04.033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Recent epidemiological research has shown that exposure to fine particulate pollution (PM2.5 ) is associated with a reduction in cognitive function in older adults. However, primary evidence comes from high-income countries, and no specific studies have been conducted in low and middle-income countries where higher air pollution levels exist. Objectives: To estimate the association between the exposure to PM2.5 and cognitive function in a nationally representative sample of older Mexican adults and the associated effect modifiers. Methods: Data for this study were taken from the National Survey of Health and Nutrition in Mexico carried out in 2012. A total of 7986 older adults composed the analytical sample. Cognitive function was assessed using two tests: semantic verbal fluency and three-word memory. The annual concentration of PM2.5 was calculated using satellite data. Association between exposure to PM2.5 and cognitive function was estimated using two-level logistic and linear regression models. Results: In adjusted multilevel regression models, each 10 μg/m 3 increase in ambient PM2.5 raised the odds of a poorer cognitive function using the three-word memory test (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.74), and reduced the number of valid animal named in the verbal fluency test (β = −0.72, 95% CI: −1.05, −0.40). Stratified analyses did not yield any significant modification effects of age, sex, indoor pollution, urban/rural dwelling, education, smoking and other factors. Conclusions: This study supports an association between exposure to PM2.5 concentrations and cognitive function in older adults. This is particularly relevant to low- and middle-income countries, which are marked by a rapid growth of their aging population and high levels of air pollution. Highlights: Association between PM2.5 and cognitive function in older Mexican adults was assessed. This association has been largely unexplored in low and middle-income countries. Increases in PM2.5 were associated with lower cognitive function. Results were robust for different time frames of PM2.5 exposure.