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Effect of long-term exposure to air pollution on anxiety and depression in adults: a cross-sectional study
Vert, Cristina Sánchez-Benavides, Gonzalo Martínez, David Gotsens, Xavier Gramunt, Nina Cirach, Marta Molinuevo, José L. Sunyer, Jordi Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark Crous-Bou, Marta
Vert, Cristina
Sánchez-Benavides, Gonzalo
Martínez, David
Gotsens, Xavier
Gramunt, Nina
Cirach, Marta
Molinuevo, José L.
Sunyer, Jordi
Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark
Crous-Bou, Marta
Abstract
Background The association between exposure to air pollutants and mental disorders among adults has been suggested, although results are not consistent. Objective To analyze the association between long-term exposure to air pollution and history of anxiety and depression disorders and of medication use (benzodiazepines and antidepressants) in adults living in Barcelona. Methods A total of 958 adults (45–74 years old) residents in Barcelona, most of them having at least one of their parents diagnosed with dementia (86%), and participating in the ALFA (Alzheimer and Families) study, were included. We used Land Use Regression (LUR) models to estimate long-term residential exposure (period 2009–2014) to PM2.5, PM2.5 absorbance (PM2.5 abs), PM10, PM coarse, NO2 and NOx. Between 2013 and 2014 participants self-reported their history of anxiety and depression disorders and related medication use. The analysis was focused on those participants reporting outcome occurrence from 2009 onwards (until 2014). Results We observed an increased odds of history of depression disorders with increasing concentrations of all air pollutants [e.g. an increased odds of depression of 2.00 (95% CI; 1.37, 2.93) for each 10 μg/m3 NO2 increase]. Such associations were consistent with an increased odds of medication use in relation to higher concentrations of air pollutants [e.g. an increased odds of antidepressants use of 1.23 (1.04, 1.44) for each 20 μg/m3 NOx increase]. Associations regarding anxiety disorders did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions Our study shows that increasing long-term exposure to air pollution may increase the odds of depression and the use of antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Further studies are needed to replicate our results and confirm this association.
Keywords
Date
2017
Type
Journal article
Journal
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
Book
Volume
220
Issue
6
Page Range
1074-1080
Article Number
ACU Department
Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
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Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled