Association of geographical distribution of air quality index and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Isfahan, Iran

Environmental Risk Factors for Developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review

Different elements of the environment have been posited to influence type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This systematic review summarizes evidence on the environmental determinants of T2DM identified in four databases. It proposes a theoretical framework illustrating the link between environment and T2DM, and briefly discusses some methodological challenges and potential solutions, and opportunities for future research. Walkability, air pollution, food and physical activity environment and roadways proximity were the most common environmental characteristics studied. Of the more than 200 reported and extracted relationships assessed in 60 studies, 82 showed significant association in the expected direction. In general, higher levels of walkability and green space were associated with lower T2DM risk, while increased levels of noise and air pollution were associated with greater risk. Current evidence is limited in terms of volume and study quality prohibiting causal inferences. However, the evidence suggests that environmental characteristics may influence T2DM prevention, and also provides a reasonable basis for further investigation with better quality data and longitudinal studies with policy-relevant environmental measures. This pursuit of better evidence is critical to support health-orientated urban design and city planning.

Gender-dependent Differences in the Relationship between Diabetes Mellitus and Ambient Air Pollution among Adults in South Korean Cities

BACKGROUND

Air pollution has been a serious public health threat worldwide. It has been linked to pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases but is also believed to contribute to air-pollution-mediated cardiometabolic disease such as diabetes. We investigated the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and air pollution in densely developed urban settings in South Korea, using national epidemiologic data.

METHODS

The analysis focused on examining gender-related differences in the relationship between DM 2 and air pollutants, specifically particulate matter ≤ 10μm (PM₁₀) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂). To assess the relationship between DM and exposure to PM₁₀ and SO₂, multivariate logistic regression models were developed using the 2012 Korea Community Health Survey data and the ambient air pollution data in South Korean cities at both Gu- and Si levels.

RESULTS

The commonly encountered levels of PM₁₀ and SO₂ may be associated with DM 2 prevalence in South Korea but it appears there may be gender differences. In particular, exposure to either PM₁₀ or SO₂ was significantly related to the prevalence of DM 2 among women but not among men.

CONCLUSION

These findings provide new evidence of an association between air pollution and the risk of diabetes in urbanized areas of South Korea.