Long-term Exposure to Road Traffic Noise, Air Pollution and Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

TPS 781: Health effects of noise, Exhibition Hall, Ground floor, August 27, 2019, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Background: It has been suggested that exposure to air pollution and road traffic noise may increase risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), although evidence is sparse. Here, we examined the association between long-term exposure to air pollution and road traffic noise and incidence of AF. Methods: We used the data from a nationwide Danish Nurse Cohort on 28,608 female nurses (age > 44 years) who at recruitment in 1993 or 1999 reported information on AF risk factors. We obtained data on incidence of AF from the Danish National Patient Register until the end of 2014. Annual mean concentrations of PM2.5 and NO2 at the nurses’ residence since 1970 (1990 for PM2.5) were estimated using Danish THOR/AirGIS dispersion model, while road traffic noise levels since 1970 were estimated using Nord2000 model, as the annual mean of a weighted 24h average (Lden). We used time-varying Cox regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between 1- and 3-year moving averages of PM2.5 and 1-, 3-, 10-, and 23-year moving averages of NO2 and Lden with AF incidence. Results: Of the 28,608 women, 2,021 developed AF during a mean follow-up of 18.3 year. We found a statistically significant and positive association between 1-year mean of Lden preceding AF diagnosis in a fully adjusted model (Lden > 58dB: HR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.12-1.51; Lden 48-58dB: HR: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.98-1.28 compared to Lden < 48 dB), which remained unchanged after adjusting for air pollutants. Similar results were observed for 3-year mean of Lden, and no assocaition with 23-year Lden. We found no association between PM2.5 or NO2 with AF. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to road traffic noise was associated with AF incidence while no associations were detected with air pollution.