Co-exposure to multiple air pollutants, genetic susceptibility, and the risk of myocardial infarction onset: a cohort analysis of the UK Biobank participants
Main finding · Incident MI by air pollution scoreResult — go to the resultHazard ratio 3.50 95% CI 3.29–3.72Authors' conclusion
Long-term joint exposure to air pollutants including PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and NOx is substantially associated with increased risk of MI. Genetic susceptibility to MI strengthens such adverse joint association.
Study context
- Population
- UK Biobank participants without myocardial infarction (MI) at baseline9,993 developed MI
- Participants
- 329,189 participants
- Exposure
- Higher vs lower long-term joint exposure to air pollutants
- Outcome
- Incident MI
- Follow-up
- Median 13.4 years
Main finding
Incident MI by air pollution score
Hazard ratio
3.50
95% CI 3.29–3.72
Q4 vs Q1
HR 3.50 (95% CI 3.29–3.72)
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Incident MI, highest polygenic risk score (PRS) and highest air pollution score
| Comparison | HR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Highest PRS and air pollution scoreHighest risk of incident MI | 4.88 (4.35–5.47) | |
| 0.20.5125Hazard ratio (log scale) |
Incident MI per IQR increase of each pollutant
- PM2.5: higher risk of MI
- 74% (95% CI 69%-79%)
- PM10: higher risk of MI (63%-72%)
- 67%
- NO2: higher risk of MI (42%-49%)
- 46%
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx): higher risk of MI (35%-41%)
- 38%
MI risk prediction
- Integrating PRS, air pollution exposure and traditional factors substantially improved risk prediction of MI
Original publication
Co-exposure to multiple air pollutants, genetic susceptibility, and the risk of myocardial infarction onset: a cohort analysis of the UK Biobank participants. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 12 December 2023. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it