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Effect of ambient air pollution on the incidence of appendicitis
Citation
Kaplan, GG and Elijah, D and Panaccione, R and Fong, A and Chen, L and Szyszkowicz, M and Wheeler, A and MacLean, A and Buie, WD and Leung, T and Heitman, SJ and Villeneuve, PJ, Effect of ambient air pollution on the incidence of appendicitis, C M A J: (Canadian Medical Association Journal), 181, (9) pp. 591-597. ISSN 0820-3946 (2009) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2009 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors
Abstract
Background: The pathogenesis of appendicitis is unclear. We evaluated whether exposure to air pollution was associated with an increased incidence of appendicitis.
Methods: We identified 5191 adults who had been admitted to hospital with appendicitis between Apr. 1, 1999, and Dec. 31, 2006. The air pollutants studied were ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and suspended particulate matter of less than 10 ΅ and less than 2.5 ΅ in diameter. We estimated the odds of appendicitis relative to short-term increases in concentrations of selected pollutants, alone and in combination, after controlling for temperature and relative humidity as well as the effects of age, sex and season.
Results: An increase in the interquartile range of the 5- day average of ozone was associated with appendicitis (odds ratio [OR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03 1.25). In summer (JulyAugust), the effects were most pronounced for ozone (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.101.57), sulfur dioxide (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.031.63), nitrogen dioxide (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.202.58), carbon monoxide (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.011.80) and particulate matter less than 10 ΅ in diameter (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.051.38). We observed a significant effect of the air pollutants in the summer months among men but not among women (e.g., OR for increase in the 5-day average of nitrogen dioxide 2.05, 95% CI 1.213.47, among men and 1.48, 95% CI 0.85 2.59, among women). The double-pollutant model of exposure to ozone and nitrogen dioxide in the summer months was associated with attenuation of the effects of ozone (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.011.48) and nitrogen dioxide (OR 1.48, 95% CI 0.972.24).
Interpretation: Our findings suggest that some cases of appendicitis may be triggered by short-term exposure to air pollution. If these findings are confirmed, measures to improve air quality may help to decrease rates of appendicitis.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | air quality, health, appendicitis |
Research Division: | Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services |
Research Group: | Human resources and industrial relations |
Research Field: | Occupational and workplace health and safety |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Public health (excl. specific population health) |
Objective Field: | Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Wheeler, A (Dr Amanda Wheeler) |
ID Code: | 100892 |
Year Published: | 2009 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 85 |
Deposited By: | Menzies Institute for Medical Research |
Deposited On: | 2015-06-02 |
Last Modified: | 2015-09-15 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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