Exposure to air pollution and renal function - an underestimated threat?

Abstract

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Air pollution contributes to the premature death of approximately 428,000 citizens of Europe every year. The adverse effects of air pollution can be observed not only in respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems but also in renal function. Purpose Our goal was to investigate the hypothesis indicating that we can observe the long-term and also short-term impact of air pollution on kidney function. Methods We reviewed medical notes of patients hospitalized between 2007-2016. We used linear, log-linear, and logistic regression models to assess the association between renal function and NO2, SO2, and PMs. Results are reported as beta (β) coefficients and odds ratios (OR) for an increase in interquartile range (IQR) concentration with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results 3,554 patients were included into the final analysis. The median age was 66 (IQR 15) and men were in the majority (53.2%, N = 1891). Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was diagnosed in 21.5% (N = 764). The long-term increase in annual average concentration of PM2.5 (OR for IQR increase = 1.07; 95% CI 1.01 – 1.15, P = 0.037) and NO2 (OR for IQR increase = 1.05;95% CI 1.01 – 1.10, P = 0.047) resulted in an increased number of patients with CKD. In short-term observation the IQR increase in weekly PM2.5 concentration was associated with a 2% reduction in eGFR (OR = 0.98, 95%CI 0.97 – 0.99, P = 0.03) Conclusions The effects of air pollution on renal function were observed. Long- and short–term exposure to elevated air pollution levels was associated with a decrease in eGFR. The main pollutant affecting the kidneys was PM2.5.