Putting fine particulate matter and dementia in the wider context of noncommunicable disease: where are we now and what should we do next: a systematic review
Open accessAbstract
Introduction: A significant proportion of the global population regularly experience air quality poorer than that recommended by the World Health Organization. Air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), is a risk factor for various noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and is emerging as a risk factor for dementia. To begin to understand the full impact of PM 2.5, we review the longitudinal epidemiological evidence linking PM 2.5 to both dementia and to other leading NCDs and highlight the evidence gaps. Our objective was to systematically review the current epidemiological evidence for PM 2.5 as a risk factor for cognitive decline and incident dementia and to put this in context with a systematic overview of PM 2.5 as a potential risk factor in other leading NCDs. Methods: We performed 2 systematic reviews. A high-level review of reviews examining the relationship between PM 2.5 and leading NCDs and an in-depth review of the longitudinal epidemiological data examining relationships between PM 2.5 incident dementia and cognitive decline. Results: There were robust associations between PM 2.5 and NCDs although in some cases the evidence was concentrated on short rather than longer term exposure. For those articles reporting on incident dementia, all reported on longer term exposure and 5 of the 7 eligible articles found PM 2.5 to be associated with increased risk. Conclusion: The evidence base for PM 2.5 as a risk factor for dementia is growing. It is not yet as strong as that for other NCDs. However, varied measurement/methodology hampers clarity across the field. We propose next steps.
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- Authors
- Peters, R., Mudway, I., Booth, A., Peters, J., & Anstey, K. J.
- Affiliations
- UNSW Sydney (AU)
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health (GB)
- University of Sheffield (GB)
- Venue
- Neuroepidemiology
- Publisher
- S. Karger AG
- Published
- 2021
- Volume
- 55
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 253-265
- ISSN
- 0251-5350 (ISSN-L)
- 1423-0208
- OpenAlex
- W3164604390
- Cited by
- 17
- References
- 35
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 0.26
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Neuroepidemiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
- UNSWorks (University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Funders
- National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit
- National Institute for Health and Care Research
- Department of Health and Social Care
- Imperial College London
- Public Health England
- Medical Research Council (MR/S019669/1)
- National Health and Medical Research Council (FL190100011)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Air Quality and Health Impacts
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging
- Keywords
- PM2.5, air pollution, dementia, non-communicable diseases, cognitive decline, incident dementia, long-term exposure, air quality, risk factors
- MeSH terms
- Noncommunicable Diseases, Air Pollutants, Air Pollution, Dementia, Environmental Exposure, Humans, Particulate Matter
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