Exposure to ambient particulate matter and hyperuricemia: An eight-year prospective cohort study on male traffic officers in China.

Background And Objectives: Studies on the effects of airborne particulates of diameter ≤ 1 µm (PM), airborne particulates of diameter ≤ 2.5 µm (PM) and airborne particulates of diameter ranges from 1 to 2.5 µm (PM) on incidence of hyperuricemia are limited. We aimed to investigate the associations between PM, PM, and PM and hyperuricemia among male traffic officers.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 1460 traffic officers without hyperuricemia in Guangzhou, China from 2009 to 2016. Exposures of PM and PM were estimated with a spatiotemporal model. PM concentrations were calculated by subtracting PM from PM concentrations. Cox's proportional hazards regressions models were used to examine the association between PM, PM, and PM and hyperuricemia, adjusted for potential confounders. Associations between PM, PM and PM and serum uric acid (SUA) levels were evaluated with multiple linear regression models.

Results: Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of hyperuricemia associated with 10 μg/m increment in PM, PM, and PM were 1.67 (95% CI:1.30-2.36), 1.49 (95% CI: 1.27-1.75), and 2.18 (95% CI: 1.58-3.02), respectively. The SUA concentrations increased by 12.23 μmol/L (95% CI: 5.91-18.56), 6.93 μmol/L (95% CI: 3.02-10.84), and 8.72 μmol/L (95% CI: 0.76-16.68) per 10 μg/m increase in PM, PM, and PM, respectively. Stratified analyses indicated the positive associations of PM and PM with SUA levels were stronger in non-smokers, and PM, PM and PM with SUA levels were stronger in non-drinkers.

Conclusion: Long-term PM, PM, and PM exposures may increase the risk of hyperuricemia and elevate SUA levels among male traffic officers, especially in non-smokers and non-drinkers.