Andrew Shepherd1, Jamie T Mullins2. 1. University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Resource Economics, Stockbridge Hall, 80 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA 01003, United States. 2. University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Resource Economics, Stockbridge Hall, 80 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA 01003, United States. Electronic address: jmullins@umass.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the relationship between arthritis diagnosis in those over 50 and exposure to extreme air pollution in utero or infancy (<1 year of age). METHODS: Compare rates of arthritis diagnosis between groups that experienced differential air pollution exposure in early-life due to quasi-random variation in birth location and date relative to the 1952 Great Smog in London. We use regression-estimated difference-in-differences analyses based on English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA) data. RESULTS: In the 2816 respondent sample, aged 51-62, the arthritis diagnosis rate is 22.8%, with 16.4% reporting osteoarthritis and 4.6% reporting rheumatoid arthritis. We estimate that exposure to the Great Smog in infancy increases the arthritis diagnosis rate by 23.4 percentage points (95% CI: 1.97 to 44.8). Decomposing these results by type of arthritis reveals that the rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis rate increases due to infant exposure are larger and more significant than those for osteoarthritis: 14.9 percentage points (95% CI: 0.495 to 29.4) versus 9.5 percentage points (95% CI: -11.9 to 30.8). In utero exposure is not associated with significant increases in arthritis diagnosis rates. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are the first to link early-life air pollution exposure to later-life arthritis diagnoses, and suggest a particularly strong link for RA. These findings are consistent with those of shorter-term, correlational studies, and indicate that health effects of air pollution exposure can span decades and extend beyond cardiopulmonary systems.
OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the relationship between arthritis diagnosis in those over 50 and exposure to extreme air pollution in utero or infancy (<1 year of age). METHODS: Compare rates of arthritis diagnosis between groups that experienced differential air pollution exposure in early-life due to quasi-random variation in birth location and date relative to the 1952 Great Smog in London. We use regression-estimated difference-in-differences analyses based on English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA) data. RESULTS: In the 2816 respondent sample, aged 51-62, the arthritis diagnosis rate is 22.8%, with 16.4% reporting osteoarthritis and 4.6% reporting rheumatoid arthritis. We estimate that exposure to the Great Smog in infancy increases the arthritis diagnosis rate by 23.4 percentage points (95% CI: 1.97 to 44.8). Decomposing these results by type of arthritis reveals that the rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis rate increases due to infant exposure are larger and more significant than those for osteoarthritis: 14.9 percentage points (95% CI: 0.495 to 29.4) versus 9.5 percentage points (95% CI: -11.9 to 30.8). In utero exposure is not associated with significant increases in arthritis diagnosis rates. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are the first to link early-life air pollution exposure to later-life arthritis diagnoses, and suggest a particularly strong link for RA. These findings are consistent with those of shorter-term, correlational studies, and indicate that health effects of air pollution exposure can span decades and extend beyond cardiopulmonary systems.
Authors: Daniel Jandacka; Jaroslav Uchytil; David Zahradnik; Roman Farana; Dominik Vilimek; Jiri Skypala; Jan Urbaczka; Jan Plesek; Adam Motyka; Denisa Blaschova; Gabriela Beinhauerova; Marketa Rygelova; Pavel Brtva; Klara Balazova; Veronika Horka; Jan Malus; Julia Freedman Silvernail; Gareth Irwin; Miika T Nieminen; Victor Casula; Vladimir Juras; Milos Golian; Steriani Elavsky; Lenka Knapova; Radim Sram; Joseph Hamill Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-12-07 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Lukas Cipryan; Petr Kutac; Tomas Dostal; Matthew Zimmermann; Miroslav Krajcigr; Vera Jandackova; Radim Sram; Daniel Jandacka; Peter Hofmann Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2020-12-10 Impact factor: 2.692