Short-Term Increases in Ambient Fine Particulate Matter Are Associated With Psoriasis Risk
Short-term exposure to elevated levels of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) may be associated with the risk of psoriasis, according to a study published in Frontiers in Public Health.
In a time series analysis, researchers aimed to study the relationship between short-term exposure to PM2.5 and outpatient visits for psoriasis in Beijing, China. A generalized additive quasi-Poisson model was used to examine the relationship between daily PM2.5 concentrations and 500266 recorded outpatient visits for psoriasis.
Daily outpatient visits for psoriasis increased 0.29%, with a same day increase of 10 μg/m3 in PM2.5. Thus, short-term exposure to PM2.5 is correlated with outpatient visits for psoriasis-related health concerns. In addition, the association between PM2.5 concentrations and psoriasis-associated outpatient visits was greater in women (0.35%, 95% CI: 0.30–0.39%) and in older patients (0.41%, 95% CI: 0.34–0.48%).
“The present study provides robust evidence that short-term elevations in PM2.5 levels are related to the risk of psoriasis,” concluded the study authors. “Long-term observations, estimates of personal exposure, and consideration of other pollutants and lifestyle factors are required,” they added.
Reference
Wu J, Chen H, Yang R, Yu H, Shang S, Hu Y. Short-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter and psoriasis: a time-series analysis in Beijing, China. Front Public Health. Published online October 13, 2022. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.1015197
