Fine Particle Air Pollution (PM 2.5) and Cardiovascular Hospitalization in Isfahan in 2012: CAPACITY Study

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between exposure to PM2.5 and the number of hospital admissions due to cardiovascular diseases.

The present time-series, case-crossover study is a part of the CAPACITY study on patients admitted to 15 hospitals in the Iranian city of Isfahan because of cardiovascular diseases in 2012. PM2.5 concentrations were calculated in air pollution monitoring stations and divided into 3 groups of good or moderate, unhealthy for sensitive people, and unhealthy or hazardous. The relationship between the number of admissions and fine particle concentrations was assessed.

This study evaluated 15752 participants at a mean age of 59 ± 19.4 years. Men accounted for 52.6% (n = 8282) of the study population. The mean concentration of fine particles was 53.77 ± 29.65 micrometers. In most days of the year, the concentration of PM2.5 was at an unhealthy level for sensitive people. Poisson regression analysis showed a significant correlation between the number of hospital admissions due to cardiovascular diseases and ischemic heart diseases and fine particle concentrations in the unhealthy level for sensitive people (P = 0.001, P = 0.001, and P = 0.002). There was a significant correlation between PM2.5 concentrations and the number of admissions due to conductive heart diseases and heart blocks in unhealthy or hazardous levels (P = 0.02 and P = 0.04).

The number of hospital admissions due to cardiovascular diseases can increase during air pollution, especially when the concentrations of PM2.5 are elevated.