Long-term exposures to ambient particulate matter and ozone pollution with lower extremity deep vein thrombosis after surgical operations: a retrospective case-control study in Beijing, China

BACKGROUND: Lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (LEDVT) after surgical operations is a common and fatal disease leading to unfavorable outcomes including death. Nevertheless, there has been insufficient evidence on the associations between ambient air pollution and LEDVT, particularly studies from developing regions. METHODS: Based on 302 LEDVT cases and 302 controls in a general hospital in Beijing, China, this unmatched retrospective case-control study investigated the associations of fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)), inhalable particulate matter (PM(10)), and ozone (O(3)) with odds of LEDVT. RESULTS: Per 10 μg/m(3) increase in PM(2.5), PM(10), and O(3) at 3-month, 6-month, and 2-year average was associated with increased LEDVT odds [odds ratios (ORs) for PM(2.5): 1.10 (95%CI: 1.05, 1.14), 1.14 (95%CI: 1.09, 1.18), and 1.30 (95%CI: 1.06, 1.61); ORs for PM(10): 1.06 (95%CI: 1.02, 1.10), 1.12 (95%CI: 1.08, 1.16), and 1.29 (95%CI: 1.03, 1.61); ORs for O(3): 1.00 (95%CI: 0.96, 1.04), 1.16 (95%CI: 1.02, 1.31), and 2.08 (95%CI: 1.03, 4.18), respectively]. The stratified analyses, exposure-responses curves, and sensitivity analyses further highlighted the robustness of our findings. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term exposures to ambient PM(2.5), PM(10), and O(3) may increase the risk of LEDVT in patients after surgical operations. The results may be implicated in the prevention and control of adverse clinical outcomes of surgical patients associated with ambient air pollution. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-023-16882-3.