ObjectivesSome studies have shown that environmental risk factors, including air pollution, might be related to the incidence or recurrence of multiple sclerosis (MS). This systematic review was conducted to investigate the relation between air pollution and MS.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Embase, and Web of Science; until January 2020 with no restrictions. The search strategy was conducted with air pollution key words such as CO, PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and NO2, for exposure and the key word “Multiple sclerosis” as the outcome.ResultsEventually, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 17 articles were included. The methodologies and outcomes reported were heterogeneous and different metrics had been used in the results; therefore conducting a meta-analysis was not possible. Eight studies had analyzed the relation between particulate matter (PM) and the prevalence or relapse of MS and had observed a significant relation. NO2 and NOx were associated with recurrence or prevalence of MS in three studies. But, in three cohort studies, no association was observed between air pollution and recurrence or occurrence of MS.ConclusionsThe results of this systematic review show that outdoor air pollution, especially PM and nitrogen oxides might be related to the prevalence or relapse of MS.
Background: This study aimed to investigate the relation between air pollution and epilepsy admissions in Kerman, Iran. Methods: In this ecological study, the concentrations of ambient air pollutants and meteorological data were obtained from Kerman Environmental Protection Agency and Kerman Meteorology Organization, respectively. Additionally, epilepsy admission data were obtained from Kerman’s Shafa hospital epilepsy registry. Generalized additive models with lags up to 7 days were used to estimate rate ratios (RRs). Results: Within 2008 to 2020, 894 epilepsy admissions occurred in Kerman, 498 cases (55.7%) of whom were male. The strongest relations of epilepsy admission were observed in the over 59-year group for carbon monoxide (CO) in lag 0 (RR = 2.1455, 95% CI: 1.5823 - 2.9091), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in lag 0 (RR = 1.0409, 95% CI: 1.0282 - 1.0537), and particulate matter under 2.5 microns (PM2.5) in lag 5 (RR = 1.0157, 95% CI: 1.0062 - 1.0252). There were also significant associations for particulate matter under 10 microns (PM10) in the under 18-year group in lag 2 (RR = 1.0064, 95% CI: 1.0029 - 1.0098), ozone in lag 0 (RR = 0.9671, 95% CI: 0.9581 - 0.9761), and sulfur dioxide in lag 5 (RR = 0.9937, 95% CI: 0.9891 - 0.9983). Conclusions: Exposure to CO, NO2, PM2.5, or PM10 air pollutants might be a risk factor for epilepsy admissions in Kerman. Epilepsy patients should better stay away from exposure to polluted air. Staying at home on polluted days or residing in areas with less air pollution might be an option.
Background: There is little information about air pollution and epilepsy attacks. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between air pollution and epilepsy admission in Kerman, Iran.Methods: This was an ecological study, in which the concentrations of ambient air pollutants and meteorological data were inquired from the Kerman Environmental Protection Agency and the Kerman Meteorology Organization respectively, and epilepsy admission data were obtained from Kerman’s Shafa hospital Epilepsy Registry. Generalized Additive Models (GAM) with lags up to 7 days were used for estimating the Relative Risks (RR).Results: During 2008 until 2020, 894 epilepsy admission occurred in Kerman which 498 (55.7%) were male. The strongest relation between epilepsy admission was seen in the over 59 years group for CO in lag 0 (RR = 2.1455, 95% CI: 1.5823–2.9091), for NO2 in lag 0 (RR =1.0409, 95% CI: 1.0282–1.0537), and for PM2.5 in lag 5 (RR =1.0157, 95% CI: 1.0062–1.0252). Also for PM10 in the under 18 year's group in lag 2 (RR =1.0064, 95% CI: 1.0029–1.0098), for O3 in lag 0 (RR =0.9671, 95% CI: 0.9581–0.9761) and for SO2 in lag 5 (RR = 0.9937, 95% CI: 0.9891–0.9983).Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that CO, NO2, PM2.5, and PM10 air pollutants might be risk factors for epilepsy admission in Kerman.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.