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Short-term association between outdoor air pollution and osteoporotic hip fracture

Osteoporosis International volume 29, pages 2231–2241 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Summary

This study examines the association of the levels of different airborne pollutants on the incidence of osteoporotic hip fracture in a southern European region. Association was detected between SO2 and NO2 and hospital admissions due to hip fracture.

Introduction

To examine the short-term effects of outdoor air pollution on the incidence of osteoporotic hip fracture in a southern European region.

Methods

This is an ecological retrospective cohort study based on data obtained from three databases. In a time-series analysis, we examined the association between hip fracture incidence and different outdoor air pollutants (sulfur dioxide (SO2), monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and particulate matter in suspension < 2.5 (PM2.5) and < 10-μm (PM10) conditions by using general additive models (Poisson distribution). The incidence rate ratio (IRR), crude and adjusted by season and different weather conditions, was estimated for all parameters. Hip incidence was later analyzed by sex and age (under or over age 75) subgroups. The main outcome measure was daily hospital admissions due to fracture.

Results

Hip fracture incidence showed association with SO2 (IRR 1.11 (95% CI 1.04–1.18)), NO (IRR 1.01 (95% CI 1.01–1.02)), and NO2 (IRR 1.02 (95% CI 1.01–1.04)). For O3 levels, this association was negative (IRR 0.97 (95% CI 0.95–0.99)). The association persisted for SO2 and NO2 when the models were adjusted by season. After adjusting by season and weather conditions, the association persisted for NO2. When participants were stratified by age and sex, associations persisted only in women older than 75 years.

Conclusions

A short-term association was observed with several indicators of air pollution on hip fracture incidence. This is the first study that shows these associations.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the personnel of the Ministry of Environment and the Madrid Community Government for providing data on air pollution and their contribution to the discussion on results. We would also like to thank Beatriz Gonzalez Piñeiro for her valuable help with our hospital information system. Additionally, the authors give thanks to the personnel of the Research Unit of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER, by its Spanish acronym) for their support in the editing and translation of the manuscript. To my good friend Caligula who faithfully accompanies me in my research work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology. Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain

    R. Mazzucchelli & F. J. Quiros

  2. Health Center La Rivota in Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain

    N. Crespi Villarias

  3. Department of Clinical Investigation, Hospital Universitario Fundacion Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain

    E. Perez Fernandez

  4. Department of of Statistics/Escuela Politecnica Superior, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    M. L. Durban Reguera

  5. Department of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain

    A. Garcia-Vadillo

  6. Department of Rehabilitation, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain

    O. Guzon

  7. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain

    G. Rodriguez Caravaca & A. Gil de Miguel

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  1. R. Mazzucchelli
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  2. N. Crespi Villarias
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Correspondence to R. Mazzucchelli.

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Mazzucchelli, R., Crespi Villarias, N., Perez Fernandez, E. et al. Short-term association between outdoor air pollution and osteoporotic hip fracture. Osteoporos Int 29, 2231–2241 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-018-4605-7

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