Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution associated with blood pressure and self-reported hypertension in a Danish cohort

Sørensen, M; Hoffmann, B; Hvidberg, M; Ketzel, M; Jensen, SS; Andersen, ZJ; Tjønneland, A; Overvad, K; Raaschou-Nielsen, O

HERO ID

1065945

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2012

Language

English

PMID

22214647

HERO ID 1065945
In Press No
Year 2012
Title Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution associated with blood pressure and self-reported hypertension in a Danish cohort
Authors Sørensen, M; Hoffmann, B; Hvidberg, M; Ketzel, M; Jensen, SS; Andersen, ZJ; Tjønneland, A; Overvad, K; Raaschou-Nielsen, O
Journal Environmental Health Perspectives
Volume 120
Issue 3
Page Numbers 418-424
Abstract <strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Short-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with changes in blood pressure (BP) and emergency department visits for hypertension, but little is known about the effects of long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution on BP and hypertension.<br /><br /><strong>OBJECTIVES: </strong>We studied whether long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with BP and hypertension.<br /><br /><strong>METHODS: </strong>In 1993-1997, 57,053 participants 50-64 years of age were enrolled in a population-based cohort study. Systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP, respectively) were measured at enrollment. Self-reported incident hypertension during a mean follow-up of 5.3 years was assessed by questionnaire. We used a validated dispersion model to estimate residential long-term nitrogen oxides (NO(x)), a marker of traffic-related air pollution, for the 1- and 5-year periods prior to enrollment and before a diagnosis of hypertension. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of associations between air pollution and BP at enrollment with linear regression, adjusting for traffic noise, measured short-term NO(x), temperature, relative humidity, and potential lifestyle confounders (n = 44,436). We analyzed incident hypertension with Cox regression, adjusting for traffic noise and potential confounders.<br /><br /><strong>RESULTS: </strong>A doubling of NO(x) exposure during 1- and 5-year periods preceding enrollment was associated with 0.53-mmHg decreases [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.88, -0.19 mmHg] and 0.50-mmHg decreases (95% CI: -0.84, -0.16 mmHg) in SBP, respectively. Long-term exposure also was associated with a lower prevalence of baseline self-reported hypertension (per doubling of 5-year mean NO(x): odds ratio = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.91, 1.00), whereas long-term NO(x) exposure was not associated with incident self-reported hypertension during follow-up.<br /><br /><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution was associated with a slightly lower prevalence of BP at baseline, but was not associated with incident hypertension.
Doi 10.1289/ehp.1103631
Pmid 22214647
Wosid WOS:000301394700031
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Source: Web of Science 000301394700031
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword air pollution; blood pressure; hypertension; epidemiology; nitrogen oxide
Is Qa No