Association entre les niveaux de pollution atmosphérique et l’augmentation de la consommation médicamenteuse pour asthme et allergies dans 12 grandes villes de France métropolitaine, pour un total de 12 millions d’individus entre 2009 et 2015

Abstract

IntroductionThe diversity of epidemiological studies shows that the short-term effects of exposure to air pollutants in terms of increased symptoms and use of care are beyond doubt. However, few studies have considered drug consumption among the general population, with most investigations relying on either patient panels or small groups in cross-sectional and, more rarely, longitudinal studies. ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to investigate the association between increased concentrations of the principal atmospheric pollutants in continental France and the consumption of inhaled short-acting beta-2 mimetics for asthma, and of nasal antihistamines and corticosteroids for other allergies. MethodsThis study focused on 12 large cities over a period of 8 years. The concentrations of the principal atmospheric pollutants (NO2, O3, PM10) were obtained from air-quality monitoring stations while drug use for asthma and allergy was documented by local pharmacies (n=6442). Conventional statistical methods were used to study any correlation. ResultsThere was a marked correlation between changes in the dispensing of reference drugs for asthma and allergies and monthly variations in the concentration of atmospheric pollutants other than ozone. The strongest association concerned NO2. ConclusionsDrug consumption is associated with exposure to air pollution and may be used as a tracer/proxy of overall exposure at the population level.