Ambient air pollution and racial/ethnic differences in carotid intima-media thickness in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

ABSTRACT:

Background

In the USA, ethnic disparities in atherosclerosis persist after accounting for known risk factors. Ambient air pollution is associated with increased levels of atherosclerosis and differs in the USA by race/ethnicity. We estimated the influence of ambient air pollution exposure to ethnic differences in common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT).

Methods

We cross-sectionally studied 6347 Caucasian-American, African-American, Hispanic and Chinese adults across 6 US cities in 2000-2002. Annual ambient air pollution concentrations (fine particulate matter [PM2.5] and oxides of nitrogen [NOX]) were estimated at each participant's residence. IMT was assessed by ultrasound.

Results

The mean IMT was 19.4 and 37.6 μm smaller for Hispanic women and men, 53.6 and 7.1

SUBMITTER: Jones MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4763882 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature