Association of long-term PM_2.5 exposure with traditional and novel lipid measures related to cardiovascular disease risk

Background: Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) exposure is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, particularly for cardiovascular disease. The association between long-term exposure to PM_2.5 and measures of lipoprotein subfractions remains unclear. Therefore, we examined associations between long-term PM_2.5 exposure and traditional and novel lipoprotein measures in a cardiac catheterization cohort in North Carolina.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 6587 patients who had visited Duke University for a cardiac catheterization between 2001 and 2010 and resided in North Carolina. We used estimates of daily PM_2.5 concentrations on a 1 km-grid based on satellite measurements. PM_2.5 predictions were matched to the address of each patient and averaged for the year prior to catheterization date. Serum lipids included HDL, LDL, and triglyceride-rich particle, and apolipoprotein B concentrations (HDL-P, LDL-P, TRL-P, and apoB, respectively). Linear and quantile regression models were used to estimate change in lipoprotein levels with each μg/m³ increase in annual average PM_2.5. Models were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, history of smoking, area-level education, urban/rural status, body mass index, and diabetes.

Results: For a 1-μg/m³ increment in PM_2.5 exposure, we observed increases in total and small LDL-P, LDL-C, TRL-P, apoB, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. The percent change from the mean outcome level was 2.00% (95% CI: 1.38%, 2.64%) for total LDL-P and 2.25% (95% CI: 1.43%, 3.06%) for small LDL-P.

Conclusion: Among this sample of cardiac catheterization patients residing in North Carolina, long-term PM_2.5 exposure was associated with increases in several lipoprotein concentrations. This abstract does not necessarily reflect U.S. EPA policy.