The Relationship between Household Particulate Matter
and an Increase of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness [CIMT]:
A One-Year Follow-Up Study
Ratanee Kammoolkon MPh1,2, Nutta Taneepanichskul PhD1, Wattasit Siriwong PhD1, Nattaporn Pitaknoppakul MD3,
Vitool Lohsoonthorn PhD4
Affiliation :
1 College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
2 Faculty of Public Health, Kasetsart University Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand
3 Department of Radiology, Sakon Nakhon Hospital, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand
4 Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : Outdoor particulate matter [PM] has been associated with cardiovascular [CVD] morbidity and mortality.
Epidemiological and experimental studies con(cid:976)irmed an association between outdoor PM and carotid artery intima-media thickness
[CIMT], which can potentially lead to progression of CVD. However, evidence on the effects of indoor PM on the CVD system is still
limited.
Objective : To examine the association of long-term exposure to household indoor PM of less than 10 micrometer [PM10] and
increased carotid intima-media thickness [CIMT] of the common carotid artery [CCA].
Materials and Methods : A one-year follow-up study was conducted in 104 households located in the central city of Sakon Nakhon
province, Thailand. Clinical testing and a carotid artery ultrasound of participants were undertaken between September 2016 and
September 2017. Household PM10 concentrations, temperature, and relative humidity [RH] were measured inside the participants’
home during the wet and dry seasons.
Results : The average of PM10 concentrations was 24.2±11.2 μg/m3. Mean and maximum CIMT at CCA was different between
baseline and follow-up (p-value <0.001). Logistics regression models showed that an increase of 1 μg/m3 average household PM10
concentrations were associated with 6% increased risk of increased maximum CIMT of CCA (AOR 1.06; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.11).
Conclusion : Household PM10 concentration is associated with increased CIMT of CCA. This (cid:976)inding suggests that household PM10
may be a risk factor for CVD morbidity and mortality.
Keywords : Household air pollution, PM less than 10 micrometer [PM10], Carotid intima-media thickness [CIMT], Common carotid
artery [CCA], Cardiovascular disease [CVD]
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