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Exposure to Ambient Particulate Matter Is Associated With Accelerated Functional Decline in Idiopathic Pulmonary
Christopher J Winterbottom1, Rupal J Shah2, Karen C Patterson3
1Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT.
Chest
|August 14, 2017
Summary
Exposure to particulate matter (PM10) air pollution is linked to faster declines in lung function for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients. This suggests air pollution may worsen IPF progression.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease with unknown causes, potentially involving epithelial cell responses to injury.
- Air pollution and particulate matter inhalation are known to cause pulmonary and systemic inflammation.
- This study investigates the link between ambient particulate matter and IPF progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if higher average ambient particulate matter (PM) concentrations are associated with an accelerated rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) in IPF patients.
- To explore the potential role of air pollution in the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 135 IPF patients from a single university referral center (2007-2013) was analyzed.
- Particulate matter concentrations (PM10 and PM2.5) were assigned based on geocoded residential addresses.
- A linear multivariable mixed-effects model assessed the association between PM concentration and FVC decline rate.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between higher PM10 levels and an increased rate of FVC decline in IPF patients.
- Each μg/m³ increase in PM10 corresponded to an additional 46 cc/year decline in FVC (P = .008).
Conclusions:
- Ambient air pollution, specifically PM10, is associated with accelerated FVC decline in IPF.
- These findings suggest a potential mechanistic role for air pollution in the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
- Further research into air pollution's impact on IPF is warranted.
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