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Air Pollution Exposure and Cognitive Function in Taiwanese Older Adults: A Repeated Measurement Study.

Authors :
Lo YC
Lu YC
Chang YH
Kao S
Huang HB
Source :
International journal of environmental research and public health [Int J Environ Res Public Health] 2019 Aug 19; Vol. 16 (16). Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Aug 19.
Publication Year :
2019

Abstract

Studies related to air pollution exposure and neurocognitive disorders, specifically cognitive impairment, among older adults are limited. We investigated the association between short-term and long-term exposure to ambient air pollution (i.e., particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of <10 μm and ozone) and the effects of their interaction on cognitive function in a community-dwelling, free-living elderly population. Study participants were in a multiple-wave representative sample, namely the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging (n = 2241). In four surveys between 1996 and 2007, their cognitive function was assessed using the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). We estimated air pollution from 1993 to 2007, including daily concentrations of PM <subscript>10</subscript> and O <subscript>3</subscript> from air quality monitoring stations, based on the administrative zone of each participant's residence. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine these associations after adjusting for covariates. We found that long-term exposure to PM <subscript>10</subscript> and O <subscript>3</subscript> was significantly associated with cognitive impairment (OR = 1.094, 95% CI: 1.020, 1.174 for PM <subscript>10</subscript> ; OR = 1.878, 95% CI: 1.363, 2.560 for O <subscript>3</subscript> ). The joint effect of exposure to PM <subscript>10</subscript> and O <subscript>3</subscript> was associated with cognitive impairment ( p < 0.001). Co-exposure to ambient PM <subscript>10</subscript> and O <subscript>3</subscript> may deteriorate cognitive function in older adults.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1660-4601
Volume :
16
Issue :
16
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
International journal of environmental research and public health
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
31430886
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16162976