Exposure to PM₁₀ as a risk factor for the development of nasal obstruction and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate whether air pollution is a potential risk factor for airways obstruction.

Methods: A prospective cohort study (11·3±2·9 years) that took place in two areas (Eordea where concentration of PM₁₀ was high and Grevena, Greece). We used the MRC questionnaire, spirometry, and anterior rhinomanometry at both visits.

Results: Initially we examined 3046 subjects. After excluding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, we re-examined 872 subjects and 168 of them had developed COPD (Grevena: 24·3%, Eordea: 18·5%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the area of residence and thus exposure to air pollution was not a risk factor for the development of COPD (OR: 0·51, 95% CI: 0·18–1·46, P = 0·21). On the other hand, residence in Eordea was strongly related to the development of severe nasal obstruction (OR: 11·47, 95% CI: 6·15–21·40, P<0·001). Similar results were found after excluding patients with COPD stage I as well as in the subgroup of never smokers.

Conclusion: Air pollution was associated with severe nasal obstruction but not with COPD development.

Keywords:

• COPD
• Air pollution
• PM10
• Spirometry
• Rhinomanometry

The authors would like to thank the Laboratory of Atmospheric Pollution and Environmental Physics, Technological Education Institute of Western Macedonia, Greece for providing the PM10 concentrations data for the area of Eordea, MM5 meteorological model, and the CAMx chemical model.