The cross-sectional and longitudinal association between air pollution and salivary cortisol: Evidence from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Abstract
Background Cortisol, a stress hormone released by the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, is critical to the body’s adaptive response to physiological and psychological stress. Cortisol has also been implicated in the health effects of air pollution through the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This study evaluates the cross-sectional and longitudinal association between several air pollutants and salivary cortisol. Methods We used data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), a cohort of 45 – 85 years old participants from six US cities. Salivary cortisol was evaluated at two time points between 2004 – 2006 and then again from 2010 – 2012. Cortisol samples were taken several times per day on two or three consecutive days. Particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the year prior to cortisol sampling were examined. We used piecewise linear mixed models that were adjusted for demographics, socioeconomic status and cardiovascular risk factors to examine both cross-sectional and longitudinal associations. Longitudinal models evaluated change in cortisol over time. Results The pooled cross-sectional results revealed largely null results with the exception of a 9.7% higher wake-up cortisol associated with a 10 ppb higher NO2 (95% CI: −0.2%, 20.5%). Among all participants, the features of the cortisol curve became flatter over 5 years. The wake-to-bed slope showed a…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 85 participants or records.
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