PULSE PRESSURE AND CONSTITUENTS OF PARTICULATE AIR POLLUTION IN ELDERLY

Background and Aims: An increased pulse pressure (Δ systolic – diastolic pressure) suggests aortic stiffening. New evidence also suggests that pulse pressure is a more sensitive measure of risk than other indexes of blood pressure in middle-aged and older persons. The objective of this study was to examine the acute effects of both particulate matter (PM) mass and composition on systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and pulse pressure, among a more susceptible population of elderly persons. Methods: During the period June 2007 until October 2010, we carried out a panel study in persons living in elderly homes located in the province of Antwerp, Belgium. Blood pressure was measured and a blood sample was collected on two time points. Exposure to in-and outdoor 24 hour mean PM2.5 mass concentrations was determined. The elemental content of the collected in-and outdoor PM2.5 was measured. Oxygenated polyaromatic hydrocarbons (oxy-PAHs) sorbed onto outdoor PM10 were measured. Results: We recruited...