Diabetics More Vulnerable to Particulate Air Pollution
A study of 270 diabetes patients in Boston used baseline data from earlier clinical trials to compare with 24-hour concentrations for PM2.5, sulfates, and black carbon.
Pollutant concentrations were evaluated for associations with vascular reactivity. The strongest and most robust finding was the association between sulfate particles, which represent long-range transport from coal-burning power plants, and decreased vascular reactivity.
“Our results link pollution exposure and physiological responses known to be along the pathway of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. We saw significant associations between vascular reactivity and exposure to particulate pollution, especially SO4 [sulfates], and greater responses among people with diabetes. Higher rates of cardiac hospitalization and mortality on high-particulate days among people with diabetes may be partially explained by impairments in endothelial function, vascular smooth muscle function, and subsequent coronary artery vascular responses,” conclude the authors. “Diabetes confers vulnerability to particles associated with coal-burning power plants and traffic.”
O’Neill MS, Veves A, Zanobetti A, Sarnat JA, Gold DR, Economides PA, Horton ES, Schwartz J. Diabetes Enhances Vulnerability to Particulate Air Pollution-Associated Impairment in Vascular Reactivity and Endothelial Function. Circulation 2005; 111:2913-2920.
For a copy of the abstract click here.
