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Influence of Outdoor Air Pollution on Cardiovascular Diseases in Madeira (Portugal)

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Abstract

Previous studies suggest that human exposure to atmospheric pollution can trigger cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study aimed at assessing the influence of short-term exposure to atmospheric pollution in the occurrence of CVD and mortality in Madeira. A single-centre retrospective study was conducted during 2005–2011. Air pollutant data and meteorological parameters were gathered. Daily admissions at the emergency service due to CVD and markers levels for cardiac function were obtained from a public hospital. Exploratory and correlation analysis of all variables were performed, and the CVD relative risk (RR) of hospital admissions and mortality was calculated. During the study, mean annual concentrations of the air pollutants varied greatly, with NOx and O3 showing the highest annual average concentrations. Two hundred ten thousand five hundred forty patients were admitted at the emergency service, 74% of them due to cardiovascular causes. Hospital admissions were positively correlated with PM2.5, and SO2. A positive and significant association between PM2.5 with creatine kinase myocardial band and B-type natriuretic peptides markers was found, whilst SO2 was positively associated with Creatine kinase myocardial band. The RR seemed to increased with PM2.5 and NOx exposure. Traffic-related pollutants were weakly but statistically associated to hospital admissions due to CVD and mortality. PM2.5 and SO2 were related with higher hospital admissions which in turn seemed to increase the serum markers. The risk of mortality was mainly associated with O3 and average air temperature. Adults and elders seem to be more susceptible to atmospheric pollutants, particularly in the winter.

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Acknowledgements

A special thank to SESARAM’s Administration, to Dr. Fátima Teixeira, Dr. Ilídio Ornelas from the Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça, and also to Dr. Mónica Fernandez for the assistance in the statistical analysis. The authors are grateful to Doctor Cristiana Granito Camacho from the Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça for the proof reading and valuable comments.

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  1. Irene Camacho, Jaime Camacho, Roberto Camacho, André Góis and Vítor Nóbrega contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Life Sciences, Madeira University, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9020-105, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

    Irene Camacho

  2. Laboratory Synlab Dr. Castro Fernandes, Rua do Hospital Velho 23A, 9060-129, Funchal, Portugal

    Jaime Camacho

  3. Freelancer Data Analyst, Funchal, Portugal

    Roberto Camacho

  4. Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Madeira University, Campus Universitário da Penteada, 9020-105, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

    André Góis & Vítor Nóbrega

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  1. Irene Camacho
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Correspondence to Irene Camacho.

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Camacho, I., Camacho, J., Camacho, R. et al. Influence of Outdoor Air Pollution on Cardiovascular Diseases in Madeira (Portugal). Water Air Soil Pollut 231, 94 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-020-4430-4

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