Association of Exposure to Fine-Particulate Air Pollution and Acidic Gases with Incidence of Nephrotic Syndrome

Shih-Yi Lin, Wu-Huei Hsu, Cheng-Li Lin, Cheng-Chieh Lin, Chih-Hsueh Lin, I-Kuan Wang, Chung-Y. Hsu and Chia-Hung Kao
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Shih-Yi Lin: Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, 404 Taichung, Taiwan
Wu-Huei Hsu: Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, 404 Taichung, Taiwan
Cheng-Li Lin: Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, 404 Taichung, Taiwan
Cheng-Chieh Lin: Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, 404 Taichung, Taiwan
Chih-Hsueh Lin: Department of Geriatrics, China Medical University Hospital, 404 Taichung, Taiwan
I-Kuan Wang: Division of Nephrology and Kidney Institute, China Medical University Hospital, 404 Taichung, Taiwan
Chung-Y. Hsu: Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, 404 Taichung, Taiwan
Chia-Hung Kao: Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, 404 Taichung, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-10

Abstract: Background : Air pollution has been associated with autoimmune diseases. Nephrotic syndrome is a clinical manifestation of immune-mediated glomerulopathy. However, the association between nephrotic syndrome and air pollution constituents remains unknown. We conducted this nationwide retrospective study to investigate the association between PM 2.5 and nephrotic syndrome. Methods : We used the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID) and the Taiwan Air Quality-Monitoring Database (TAQMD). We combined and stratified the LHID and the TAQMD data by residential areas of insurants linked to nearby air quality-monitoring stations. Air pollutant concentrations were grouped into four levels based on quartile. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were applied. Findings : Relative to Q1-level SO 2 , subjects exposed to the Q4 level were associated with a 2.00-fold higher risk of nephrotic syndrome (adjusted HR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.66–2.41). In NOx, relative to Q1 NOx concentrations, the adjusted HRs of nephrotic syndrome risk were 1.53 (95% CI = 1.23–1.91), 1.30 (95% CI = 1.03–1.65), and 2.08 (95% CI = 1.69–2.56) for Q2, Q3, and Q4 levels, respectively. The results revealed an increasing trend for nephrotic syndrome risk correlating with increasing levels of NO, NO 2 , and PM 2.5 concentrations. Interpretation : High concentrations of PM 2.5 , NO, NO 2 , and SO 2 are associated with increased risk of nephrotic syndrome.

Keywords: air pollution; PM 2.5; nephrotic syndrome; retrospective study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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