Exposure to Air pollution Increases the Risk of Osteoporosis

Abstract

Several studies have indicated that air pollution induces systemic as well as tissue-specific inflammation. Chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease reduce bone mineral density (BMD), leading to increased release of immune cells from the bone marrow. However, the association between air pollution and osteoporosis remains poorly defined. Therefore, we conducted this population-based retrospective cohort study to evaluate the risk of osteoporosis in Taiwanese residents exposed to air pollution.We combined 2 nationwide databases in this study. The National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan was available from 2000 to 2010. Detailed daily data on air pollution were collected by Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 1998 to 2010. We calculated the yearly average concentrations of air pollutants from the study start to the date of osteoporosis occurrence, or withdrawal from the NHI program, or December 31, 2010. The yearly average concentrations of air pollutants were categorized into quartiles, and the risks of osteoporosis were evaluated among 4 stages of air pollutants.Among Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 of pollutants in all subjects, the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of osteoporosis in Q2, Q3, and Q4 were compared with Q1. For carbon monoxide (CO), the adjusted HRs were 1.05 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97–1.14), 1.78 (95% CI, 1.65–1.92), and 1.84 (95% CI, 1.71–1.98), respectively. For nitrogen dioxide (NO2), the adjusted HRs were 1.35 (95% CI, 1.25–1.45), 1.24 (95% CI, 1.15–1.35), and 1.60 (95% CI, 1.48–1.73), respectively, in all subjects.The findings of the present study show that CO and NO2 exposure is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis in the Taiwanese population.

Association of air particulate pollution with bone loss over time and bone fracture risk: analysis of data from two independent studies

“…58 Also, Chang et al found an association between air pollution (carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) and increased risk of osteoporosis. 57 The difference in observed associations across multiple anatomical sites might be explained by differential anatomical susceptibility to the effects of PM on bones. 59 Alvaer et al reported gender differences in the association between air pollution and BMD, with association observed only for men.…”

“…On the other hand, other air pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) have been previously associated with bone loss and osteoporosis. 42,57 Unfortunately, we did not have access to CO and NO 2 exposure data in for the Medicare study nor for BACH/Bone, limiting our capability to explore these associations. Further analyses to evaluate the role PM 2.5 and BC, as well as of CO and NO 2 on bone health are warranted.…”

Hydroxychloroquine may be associated with reduced risk of coronary artery diseases in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A nationwide population-based cohort study

“…However, we have tried to use COPD as a proxy variable for cigarette smoking, which has been accepted previously in several studies. [30][31][32][33] Third, the accuracy of diagnoses based on administrative data is another issue of concern.…”

Increased Risk of Sensorineural Hearing Loss as a Result of Exposure to Air Pollution

“…Primarily, lung cancer is considered the major severe disease caused by air pollution [1,2]. Notably, accumulating evidence shows that chronic exposure to air pollution is associated with not only respiratory diseases but also non-lung cancers [3,4] and cardiovascular [5,6], inflammatory [7,8], and neurodegenerative diseases [9,10] including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) [11].…”