Separate and Combained Associations of PM 2.5 Exposure and Smoking with Dementia and Cognitive Impairment.
- Author:
Lu CUI
1
;
Zhi Hui WANG
2
;
Yu Hong LIU
1
;
Lin Lin MA
1
;
Shi Ge QI
2
;
Ran AN
2
;
Xi CHEN
3
;
Hao Yan GUO
4
;
Yu Xiang YAN
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Cognitive impairment; Dementia; Environmental protection; PM2.5 exposure; Smoking; Smoking cessation
- MeSH: Humans; Dementia/etiology*; Male; Aged; Female; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology*; China/epidemiology*; Particulate Matter/analysis*; Smoking/epidemiology*; Air Pollutants/analysis*; Aged, 80 and over; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects*; Prevalence; Middle Aged
- From: Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(2):194-205
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:The results of limited studies on the relationship between environmental pollution and dementia have been contradictory. We analyzed the combined effects of PM 2.5 and smoking on the prevalence of dementia and cognitive impairment in an elderly community-dwelling Chinese population.
METHODS:We assessed 24,117 individuals along with the annual average PM 2.5 concentrations from 2012 to 2016. Dementia was confirmed in the baseline survey at a qualified clinical facility, and newly suspected dementia was assessed in 2017, after excluding cases of suspected dementia in 2015. National census data were used to weight the sample data to reflect the entire population in China, with multiple logistic regression performed to analyze the combined effects of PM 2.5 and smoking frequency on dementia and cognitive impairment.
RESULTS:Individuals exposed to the highest PM 2.5 concentration and smoked daily were at higher risk of dementia than those in the lowest PM 2.5 concentration group ( OR, 1.603; 95% CI [1.626-1.635], P < 0.0001) and in the nonsmoking group ( OR, 1.248; 95% CI [1.244-1.252]; P < 0.0001). Moderate PM 2.5 exposure and occasional smoking together increased the short-term risk of cognitive impairment. High-level PM 2.5 exposure and smoking were associated with an increased risk of dementia, so more efforts are needed to reduce this risk through environmental protection and antismoking campaigns.
CONCLUSION:High-level PM 2.5 exposure and smoking were associated with an increased risk of dementia. Lowering the ambient PM 2.5, and smoking cessation are recommended to promote health.
