Physical Activity-Induced Modification of the Association of Long-Term Air Pollution Exposure with the Risk of Depression in Older Adults

Overview

Journal Yonsei Med J

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2024 Mar 22

PMID 38515360

Authors

Woongbi Park

Heeseon Jang

Juyeon Ko

Jungwoo Sohn

Young Noh

Sun-Young Kim

Sang-Baek Koh

Changsoo Kim

Jaelim Cho

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: Evidence suggests that long-term air pollution exposures may induce depression; however, the influence of physical activity on this effect is unclear. We investigated modification of the associations between air pollution exposures and depression by the intensity of physical activity.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1454 Korean adults. Depression was defined as a Geriatric Depression Scale score ≥8. Concentrations of particulate matter (PM and PM: diameter ≤10 µm and ≤2.5 µm, respectively) and nitrogen dioxide (NO) level at each participant's residential address were estimated. Based on metabolic equivalents, physical activity intensity was categorized as inactive, minimally active, or health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA).

Results: Each 1-part per billion (ppb) NO concentration increase was significantly associated with a 6% [95% confidence interval (CI), 4%-8%] increase in depression risk. In older adults (≥65 years), a 1-ppb NO increase was associated (95% CI) with a 4% (1%-7%), 9% (5%-13%), and 21% (9%-33%) increase in depression risk in the inactive, minimally active, and HEPA groups, respectively. Compared with the inactive group, the minimally active (=0.039) and HEPA groups (=0.004) had higher NO exposure-associated depression risk. Associations of PM and PM with depression did not significantly differ by the intensity of physical activity.

Conclusion: We suggest that older adults who vigorously exercise outdoors may be susceptible to air pollution-related depression.

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