Associations between ambient fine particulate (PM2.5) exposure and cardiovascular disease: findings from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).

The evidence regarding the association between long-term fine particulate (PM_2.5) exposure and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in developing countries is limited. This study investigated the association between long-term exposure to PM_2.5 and the prevalence of CVD among middle-aged and older adults. A total of 13,484 adults ≥ 45 years of age were surveyed in China, and logistic regression models were used to examine the association between PM_2.5 and the prevalence of CVD. Furthermore, stratified analyses were conducted to explore potential effect modifiers. In addition, the burden of CVD attributable to PM_2.5 was estimated. The analyses revealed that PM_2.5 was associated with CVD, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.18 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12, 1.26) for each 10 μg/m³ increment in ambient PM_2.5. Stratified analyses found that the elderly may be a vulnerable population. It was further estimated that approximately 20.27% (95% CI: 11.86%, 29.96%) of CVD cases could be attributable to PM_2.5. This nationwide study confirmed that long-term exposure to PM_2.5 was associated with an increased prevalence of CVD in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]