Association of Annual Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Level with Blood Pressure and Hypertension among The Royal Thai Army Personnel: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

            In the past, there have been studies on the effects of fine particulate matter or PM_2.5 exposure on hypertension but only a few studies were done in Southeast Asia. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the relationship between annual PM_2.5 with blood pressure and hypertension among Thai Army personnel. Data was analyzed by multilevel generalized linear model and multilevel binary logistic regression model. There were a total of 89,641 military personnel who were included in the analysis. Result showed that the prevalence of hypertension was 23.1%. After considering age, sex, health behaviors, other air pollutants and meteorological characteristics, annual PM_2.5 was statisticaly significantly associated with the prevalence of hypertension and blood pressure levels but there was no dose-response pattern. Annual PM_2.5 levels at the 4^th quartile were associated with the greatest increase in the prevalence of hypertension (OR 1.44, 95% CI = 1.20 - 1.72) and systolic blood pressure (ß 1.05 mmHg, 95% CI = 0.33 - 1.77), and annual PM_2.5 levels at the 2^nd quartile were associated with the greatest increase in diastolic blood pressure (ß 0.80 mmHg, 95% CI = 0.43 - 1.18). In conclusion, this study can provide supporting evidence that long-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with increased blood pressure and hypertension among Thai Army personnel.