Air pollution, lung function and COPD: results from the population-based UK Biobank study

Ambient air pollution increases the risk of respiratory mortality, but evidence for impacts on lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is less well established. The aim was to evaluate whether ambient air pollution is associated with lung function and COPD, and explore potential vulnerability factors. We used UK Biobank data on 303 887 individuals aged 40–69 years, with complete covariate data and valid lung function measures. Cross-sectional analyses examined associations of land use regression-based estimates of particulate matter (particles with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 and 10 µm: PM2.5 and PM10, respectively; and coarse particles with diameter between 2.5 μm and 10 μm: PMcoarse) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), the FEV1/FVC ratio and COPD (FEV1/FVC <lower limit of normal). Effect modification was investigated for sex, age, obesity, smoking status, household income, asthma status and occupations previously linked to COPD. Higher exposures to each pollutant were significantly associated with lower lung function. A 5 µg·m–3 increase in PM2.5 concentration was associated with lower FEV1 (–83.13 mL, 95% CI –92.50– –73.75 mL) and FVC (–62.62 mL, 95% CI –73.91– –51.32 mL). COPD prevalence was associated with higher co...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: COPD and smoking, Lung structure and function Original Articles: COPD and lung function Source Type: research