The association between PM10 and Quality of Life (QoL) in South Korea

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TPS 732: Neurological effects in adults, Exhibition Hall, Ground floor, August 27, 2019, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Background/Aim: There are limited studies about the association between exposure to PM10 and quality of life(QoL). We aimed to investigate the association between exposure to PM10 and perceived QoL index in South Korea. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 3,911 adults having no diseases in 73 districts (‘gu’) of 7 major cities were identified in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Study IV (2007-2009). QoL was measured by EQ-5D that comprises descriptive system and EQ-VAS. Descriptive system records condition of five dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression) which was divided into two categories in this study. The scores on these dimensions are also converted to a single summary index (SI) which was divided into tertiles in this study. EQ-VAS score records self-rated health on a vertical visual analogue scale which was divided into quartiles in this study. Both in SI and EQ-VAS, higher score means good QoL. We analyzed the association between annual average of PM10 concentration and QoL using logistic linear regression. We adjusted for sex, age, health behaviors and individual socio-economic status. Results: There was a positive association between 10μg/m3 increase in annual average of PM10 and SI (Odds ratio (OR) for lowest tertile vs the highest tertile: 1.24(95%CI: 1.08-1.42)). In the analysis for each score of 5 dimensions, only pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression were significantly associated with higher concentration of PM10 (OR for good condition vs bad condition: 1.16(95%CI: 1.02-1.32); 1.26(95%CI: 1.08-1.48), respectively). Higher exposure to PM10 was associated with lower EQ-VAS (1st quartile (lowest QoL) 1.25(95%CI: 1.08-1.44); 2nd quartile 1.13(95%CI: 0.99-1.29); 3rd quartile 1.08(95%CI: 0.95-1.23), respectively compared with 4th quartile). Conclusions: This study suggests that higher long-term exposure to PM10 may be associated with lower QoL in general population and PM10 may be an important factor that affects individual’s well-being, even if it is not the point of view of disease.