Dataset Information
Effect of ambient air pollution on the incidence of appendicitis.
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ABSTRACT: Background
The pathogenesis of appendicitis is unclear. We evaluated whether exposure to air pollution was associated with an increased incidence of appendicitis.Methods
We identified 5191 adults who had been admitted to hospital with appendicitis between Apr. 1, 1999, and Dec. 31, 2006. The air pollutants studied were ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and suspended particulate matter of less than 10 micro and less than 2.5 micro in diameter. We estimated the odds of appendicitis relative to short-term increases in concentrations of selected pollutants, alone and in combination, after controlling for temperature and relative humidity as well as the effects of age, sex and season.Results
An increase in the interquartile range of the 5-day average of ozone was associated with appendicitis (odds ratio [OR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.25). In summer (July-August), the effects were most pronounced for ozone (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.10-1.57), sulfur dioxide (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.03-1.63), nitrogen dioxide (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.20-2.58), carbon monoxide (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.01-1.80) and particulate matter less than 10 micro in diameter (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.05-1.38). We observed a significant effect of the air pollutants in the summer months among men but not among women (e.g., OR for increase in the 5-day average of nitrogen dioxide 2.05, 95% CI 1.21-3.47, among men and 1.48, 95% CI 0.85-2.59, among women). The double-pollutant model of exposure to ozone and nitrogen dioxide in the summer months was associated with attenuation of the effects of ozone (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.01-1.48) and nitrogen dioxide (OR 1.48, 95% CI 0.97-2.24).Interpretation
Our findings suggest that some cases of appendicitis may be triggered by short-term exposure to air pollution. If these findings are confirmed, measures to improve air quality may help to decrease rates of appendicitis.
SUBMITTER: Kaplan GG
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2764754 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Effect of ambient air pollution on the incidence of appendicitis.
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne 20091005 9
<h4>Background</h4>The pathogenesis of appendicitis is unclear. We evaluated whether exposure to air pollution was associated with an increased incidence of appendicitis.<h4>Methods</h4>We identified 5191 adults who had been admitted to hospital with appendicitis between Apr. 1, 1999, and Dec. 31, 2006. The air pollutants studied were ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and suspended particulate matter of less than 10 micro and less than 2.5 micro in diameter. We estimated ...[more]