Long-Term Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter and the Risk of Chronic Liver Diseases: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Jing Sui, Hui Xia, Qun Zhao, Guiju Sun and Yinyin Cai ()
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Jing Sui: Research Institute for Environment and Health, School of Emergency Management, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
Hui Xia: Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
Qun Zhao: Research Institute for Environment and Health, School of Emergency Management, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
Guiju Sun: Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
Yinyin Cai: Institute of Atmospheric Environmental Economics, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-13

Abstract: Although fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a known carcinogen, evidence of the association between PM2.5 and chronic liver disease is controversial. In the present meta-analysis study, we reviewed epidemiological studies to strengthen evidence for the association between PM2.5 and chronic liver disease. We searched three online databases from 1990 up to 2022. The random-effect model was applied for detection of overall risk estimates. Sixteen eligible studies, including one cross-sectional study, one retrospective cohort study, and 14 prospective cohort studies, fulfilled inclusion criteria with more than 330 thousand participants from 13 countries. Overall risk estimates of chronic liver disease for 10 μg/m 3 increase in PM2.5 was 1.27 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19–1.35, p < 0.001). We further analyzed the relationship between PM2.5 exposure and different chronic liver diseases. The results showed that increments in PM2.5 exposure significantly increased the risk of liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.14–1.33; HR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.06–1.29; HR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.09–2.08, respectively). Our meta-analysis indicated long-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with increased risk of chronic liver disease. Moreover, future researches should be focused on investigating subtypes of chronic liver diseases and specific components of PM2.5.

Keywords: fine particulate matter; chronic liver disease; meta-analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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