Association of Long-Term Exposure to PM2.5 Constituents and Green Space With Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

There is limited evidence regarding the effects of long-term exposure to PM_2.5 constituents on the risk of arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and the interaction between PM_2.5 and green space remains unclear. This study examined the relationship between long-term exposure to PM_2.5 constituents and the risk of arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, with the exposure period extending from recruitment until self-reported outcomes, death, loss to follow-up, or end of follow-up. Additionally, the study assessed whether there was an interactive effect between PM_2.5 and green space on these risks. We gathered cohort data on 18,649 individuals aged ≥45 years. We applied generalized linear mixed-effects models to estimate the effects of PM_2.5 constituents, NDVI, and their interaction on arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The quantile g-computation and weighted quantile sum regression model were applied to estimate the combined effect of PM_2.5 constituents. Our results showed that exposure to single and mixed PM_2.5 constituents adversely affected arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and was mainly attributed to the black carbon component. We observed “U” or “J” shaped exposure-response curves for the effects of PM_2.5, OM, NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺ exposure on the development of arthritis/rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, the odds ratio of arthritis for per interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM_2.5 was 1.209 (95% CI:1.198, 1.221), per 0.1-unit decrease in NDVI was 1.091 (95% CI:1.033, 1.151), and the interaction term was 1.005 (95% CI:1.002, 1.007). These findings flesh out the existing evidence for PM_2.5 constituents, NDVI and arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, but the underlying mechanisms still require further exploration.