[The effect of short-term exposures to atmospheric fine particulate matter and its components on cognitive function in middle-aged and older people aged 40-89]

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2025 Apr 6;59(4):416-424. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112150-20241028-00853.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract
in English, Chinese

Objective: To assess the effect of short-term exposures to atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its components on cognitive function in middle-aged and older people aged 40-89 and identify key components that affect cognitive function. Methods: From October 2018 to March 2019, a cross-sectional survey of middle-aged and older people aged 40-89 was conducted across 10 cities in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and neighboring regions of China. Data on PM2.5 and its components were collected from the nearest air supermonitoring stations to the residential addresses. The cognitive function was assessed using the Min-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the effect of short-term exposures to PM2.5 and its components on cognitive function in middle-aged and older people. The restricted cubic spline function was used to fit the exposure-response relationship between different components and changes in MMSE scores. Results: The age of the 1 978 respondents was (65.1±13.4) years, and 976 (49.34%) were males. During the study period, the daily mean concentration of PM2.5 was (71.2±43.2) μg/m3, and the MMSE score was (28.2±3.7). The results of the multiple linear regression model showed that short-term exposures to PM2.5 and its components were associated with cognitive decline in middle-aged and older people after adjusting for confounding factors, and the effect was higher at lag 0-28 days. For an interquartile range (64.3 μg/m3) increase in PM2.5 at lag 0-28 d, the MMSE score decreased by 5.91 (95%CI: 0.04, 11.77). For an interquartile range increase in organic carbon (OC), antimony (Sb), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), and cadmium (Cd), the MMSE scores of middle-aged and older people decreased by 5.71 (95%CI: 1.69, 9.73), 4.67 (95%CI: 2.50, 6.84), 4.49 (95%CI: 1.05, 7.92), 3.65 (95%CI: 0.89, 6.42), 2.76 (95%CI: 1.22, 4.30), and 1.72 (95%CI: 0.53, 2.92). Conclusions: Short-term exposures to atmospheric PM2.5 and its components (OC, Sb, Cr, Zn, Sn, and Cd) are associated with cognitive decline in middle-aged and older people.

目的： 评估大气细颗粒物（PM2.5）及其成分短期暴露对40~89岁中老年人认知功能的影响，并识别影响认知功能的关键成分。 方法： 于2018年10月至2019年3月，在我国京津冀及周边地区10个城市对40~89岁中老年人开展横断面调查，收集距离调查对象居住地最近的大气超级监测站点PM2.5及其成分数据，利用简易精神状态检查表（MMSE）评估调查对象的认知功能，采用多重线性回归模型评估PM2.5及其成分的短期暴露对中老年人认知功能的影响。采用限制性立方样条拟合不同成分与MMSE得分变化的剂量-反应关系。 结果： 1 978名对象年龄为（65.1±13.4）岁；男性976名（49.34%）；调查期间PM2.5的日均浓度为（71.2±43.2）μg/m3，MMSE分数为（28.2±3.7）分。多重线性回归模型分析结果显示，调整混杂因素后，PM2.5及其成分短期暴露与中老年人认知功能下降存在关联，在滞后0~28 d时效应较高，滞后0~28 d的PM2.5每升高1个IQR（64.3 μg/m3），MMSE得分降低5.91（95%CI：0.04，11.77）；有机碳（OC）、锑（Sb）、铬（Cr）、锌（Zn）、锡（Sn）和镉（Cd）成分每升高1个IQR，中老年人MMSE得分分别下降5.71（95%CI：1.69，9.73）、4.67（95%CI：2.50，6.84）、4.49（95%CI：1.05，7.92）、3.65（95%CI：0.89，6.42）、2.76（95%CI：1.22，4.30）和1.72（95%CI：0.53，2.92）。 结论： 大气PM2.5及其成分（OC、Sb、Cr、Zn、Sn和Cd）短期暴露与中老年人认知功能下降存在关联。.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Air Pollutants*
  • Air Pollution*
  • China
  • Cognition*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Environmental Exposure*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Particulate Matter* / adverse effects
  • Particulate Matter* / analysis

Substances

  • Particulate Matter
  • Air Pollutants