Role of metabolic risk factors in the relationship between ambient fine particulate matter and depressive symptoms: Evidence from a longitudinal population study

There is growing evidence indicating a connection between fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and depressive symptoms. Metabolic risk factors are critical determinants of depressive symptoms. However, the mediating role of these factors on the association between PM_2.5 and depressive symptoms remains elusive. We aimed to investigate whether and to what extent metabolic risk factors mediated the link between long-term PM_2.5 exposure and depressive symptoms.

This study comprised 7794 individuals aged between 30 and 79 years who participated in two waves of the on-site surveys in the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort. Ambient PM_2.5 concentrations were assessed utilizing a random forest method based on satellite data. We employed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 to assess depressive symptoms at wave 2, and the overall as well as three sub-domain symptom scores (emotional, neurovegetative, and neurocognitive symptoms) were calculated. Three metabolic risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, were considered. Mediation analyses were conducted to assess the indirect effects of PM_2.5 on depressive symptoms through metabolic risk factors.

We found a positive association between chronic exposure to ambient PM_2.5 and overall depressive symptoms as well as the three sub-domains. In mediation analyses, metabolic risk factors partially mediated the associations of PM_2.5 on depressive symptoms. The natural indirect effects (RR, 95% CI) of PM_2.5 on overall, emotional, neurovegetative, and neurocognitive symptoms mediated through metabolic risk factors were 1.004(1.001, 1.007), 1.004 (1.001, 1.008), 1.004 (1.001, 1.007), and 1.003(0.999, 1.007), respectively. Larger indirect effects were found in elderly participants (mediated proportion, 29.3%), females (13.3%), and people who did not consume alcohol (19.6%).

Metabolic risk factors may act as mediators in the relationship between chronic PM_2.5 exposure and depression. Treatment of metabolic risk factors may be an opportunity to reduce the burden of depression caused by long-term exposure to PM_2.5.