Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2022 Apr 5. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202106-1439OC. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
RATIONALE: Outdoor air pollution is a potential risk factor for lower lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Little is known on how airway abnormalities and lung growth might modify this relationship.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the associations of ambient air pollution exposure with lung function and COPD, and to examine possible interactions with dysanapsis.
METHODS: We made use of cross-sectional post-bronchodilator spirometry data from 1452 individuals enrolled in the Canadian Cohort Obstructive Lung Disease (CanCOLD) with linked ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) air pollution estimates. Dysanapsis, or the ratio of airway-to-lung volume calculated from thoracic computed tomography images, was used to examine possible interactions.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In adjusted models, 101.7 mL [95% CI: -166.2, -37.2] and 115.0 mL [95% CI: -196.5, -33.4] lower forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were demonstrated per increase of 2.4 ug/m3 PM2.5, and 9.2 ppb NO2, respectively. Interaction between air pollution and dysanapsis was not statistically significant when modelling airway-to-lung ratio as a continuous variable. However, a 109.8 mL [95% CI: -209.0, -10.5] lower FEV1 and an 87% [95% CI: 12%; 213%] higher odds of COPD was observed amongst individuals in the lowest, relative to highest, airway-to-lung ratio, per 2.4 μg/m3 increment of PM2.5.
CONCLUSION: Ambient air pollution exposure was associated with lower lung function, even at relatively low concentrations. Individuals with dysanaptic lung growth might be particularly susceptible to inhaled ambient air pollutants, especially those at the extremes of dysanapsis.
PMID:35380941 | DOI:10.1164/rccm.202106-1439OC
