The Association between Air Pollution Exposure and Glucose and Lipids Levels

Evidence from recent decades supports a causal association between exposure to particulate matter<10µm in diameter (PM10) and <2.5µm in diameter (PM2.5) and oxidative stress, possibly involving impaired metabolism of glucose and lipids (Low Density Lipoprotein-LDL, High Density Lipoprotein-HDL and triglycerides). We examined these associations among a large sample of subjects with known cardiovascular diseases and risk factors. Data were obtained from Soroka University Medical Center, the only hospital in Southern Israel providing services for a population of 700,000. We included all serum glucose, Hemoglobin A1c and lipids tests of members of the largest health care provider in the area, with available geocoded addresses over 10 years period. Subjects' glycemic status was defined as normal or diabetes. PM exposure assessment was based on a hybrid satellite based model incorporating daily remote sensing data at 1 km spatial resolution. Log transformed glucose and lipid values were explored by mixed models...