Effects of short-term ambient PM(2.5) exposure on cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality among U.S. hemodialysis patients: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Ambient PM(2.5) is a ubiquitous air pollutant with demonstrated adverse health impacts in population. Hemodialysis patients are a highly vulnerable population and may be particularly susceptible to the effects of PM(2.5) exposure. This study examines associations between short-term PM(2.5) exposure and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality among patients receiving maintenance in-center hemodialysis. METHODS: Using the United State Renal Data System (USRDS) registry, we enumerated a cohort of all US adult kidney failure patients who initiated in-center hemodialysis between 1/1/2011 and 12/31/2016. Daily ambient PM(2.5) exposure estimates were assigned to cohort members based on the ZIP code of the dialysis clinic. CVD incidence and mortality were ascertained through 2016 based on USRDS records. Discrete time hazards regression was used to estimate the association between lagged PM(2.5) exposure and CVD incidence, CVD-specific mortality, and all-cause mortality 1 t adjusting for temperature, humidity, day of the week, season, age at baseline, race, employment status, and geographic region. Effect measure modification was assessed for age, sex, race, and comorbidities. RESULTS: Among 314,079 hemodialysis patients, a 10 µg/m(3) increase in the average lag 0–1 daily PM(2.5) exposure was associated with CVD incidence (HR: 1.03 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.04)), CVD mortality (1.05 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.08)), and all-cause mortality (1.04 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.06)). The association was larger for people who initiated dialysis at an older age, while minimal evidence of effect modification was observed across levels of sex, race, or baseline comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term ambient PM(2.5) exposure was positively associated with incident CVD events and mortality among patients receiving in-center hemodialysis. Older patients appeared to be more susceptible to PM(2.5)-associated CVD events than younger hemodialysis patients. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12940-022-00836-0.