Short-term exposure to air pollution is an emerging but neglected risk factor for schizophrenia: A systematic review...

This meta-analysis aimed to explore the association between short-term exposure to air pollution and schizophrenia (SCZ)¹, and investigate the susceptible population and the lag characteristics of different pollutants.

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted by searching PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Sciences, and CNKI for relevant literature published up to 28 Feb 2022. Meta-analysis was performed separately to investigate the association of ambient particulates (diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM_2.5)², 2.5 μm < diameter < 10 μm (PM_C)³, ≤10μm (PM₁₀)⁴) and gaseous pollutants (nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)⁵, sulfur dioxide (SO₂)⁶, carbon monoxide (CO)⁷) with SCZ. Relative risk (RR)⁸ per 10 μg/m³ increase in air pollutants concentration was used as the effect estimate. Subgroup analyses were conducted by age, gender, country, median pollutant concentration, and median temperature.

We identified 17 articles mainly conducted in Asia, of which 13 were included in the meta-analysis. Increased risk of SCZ was associated with short-term exposure to PM_2.5 (RR: 1.0050, 95 % confidence interval (CI)⁹: 1.0017, 1.0083), PM_C (1.0117, 1.0023, 1.0211), PM₁₀ (1.0047, 1.0025, 1.0070), NO₂ (1.0275, 1.0132, 1.0420), and SO₂ (1.0288, 1.0146, 1.0432) exposure. Subgroup analyses showed that females may be more susceptible to SO₂ and NO₂, and the young seem to be more sensitive to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀. Gaseous pollutants presented the immediate risk, and particulates showed the delayed risk.

The present meta-analysis suggests that short-term exposure to PM_2.5, PM_C, PM₁₀, SO₂, and NO₂ exposure may be associated with an elevated risk of SCZ.