Associations between fine particulate air pollution with small-airway inflammation: A nationwide analysis in 122 Chinese cities

Abstract

Alveolar nitric oxide is a non-invasive indicator of small-airway inflammation, a key pathophysiologic mechanism underlying lower respiratory diseases. However, no epidemiological studies have investigated the impact of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) exposure on the concentration of alveolar nitric oxide (CANO). To explore the associations between PM_2.5 exposure in multiple periods and CANO, we conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study in 122 Chinese cities between 2019 and 2021. Utilizing a satellite-based model with a spatial resolution of 1 × 1 km, we matched long-term, mid-term, and short-term PM_2.5 exposure for 28,399 individuals based on their home addresses. Multivariable linear regression models were applied to estimate the associations between PM_2.5 at multiple exposure windows and CANO. Stratified analyses were also performed to identify potentially vulnerable subgroups. We found that per interquartile range (IQR) unit higher in 1-year average, 1-month average, and 7-day average PM_2.5 concentration was significantly associated with increments of 17.78% [95% confidence interval (95%CI): 12.54%, 23.26%], 8.76% (95%CI: 7.35%, 10.19%), and 4.00% (95%CI: 2.81%, 5.20%) increment in CANO, respectively. The exposure-response relationship curves consistently increased with the slope becoming statistically significant beyond 20 μg/m³. Males, children, smokers, individuals with respiratory symptoms or using inhaled corticosteroids, and those living in Southern China were more vulnerable to PM_2.5 exposure. In conclusion, our study provided novel evidence that PM_2.5 exposure in long-term, mid-term, and short-term periods could significantly elevate small-airway inflammation represented by CANO. Our results highlight the significance of CANO measurement as a non-invasive tool for early screening in the management of PM_2.5-related inflammatory respiratory diseases.

Keywords: Air pollution; Alveolar nitric oxide; Environmental epidemiology; Fine particulate matter; Small-airway inflammation.