Exposure to road traffic and railway noise and associations with blood pressure and self-reported hypertension: a cohort study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Exposure to road traffic and railway noise and associations with blood pressure and self-reported hypertension

T2 - a cohort study

AU - Sørensen, Mette

AU - Hvidberg, Martin

AU - Hoffmann, Barbara

AU - Andersen, Zorana J

AU - Nordsborg, Rikke B

AU - Lillelund, Kenneth G

AU - Jakobsen, Hans Jørgen

AU - Tjønneland, Anne

AU - Overvad, Kim

AU - Raaschou-Nielsen, Ole

PY - 2011

Y1 - 2011

N2 - Background: Epidemiological studies suggest that long-term exposure to transport noise increases the risk for cardiovascular disorders. The effect of transport noise on blood pressure and hypertension is uncertain. Methods. In 1993-1997, 57,053 participants aged 50-64 year were enrolled in a population-based cohort study. At enrolment, systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured. Incident hypertension during a mean follow-up of 5.3 years was assessed by questionnaire. Residential long-term road traffic noise (Lden) was estimated for 1- and 5-year periods preceding enrolment and preceding diagnosis of hypertension. Residential exposure to railway noise was estimated at enrolment. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of associations between road traffic and railway noise and blood pressure at enrolment with linear regression, adjusting for long-term air pollution, meteorology and potential lifestyle confounders (N = 44,083). Incident self-reported hypertension was analyzed with Cox regression, adjusting for long-term air pollution and potential lifestyle confounders. Results: We found a 0.26 mm Hg higher systolic blood pressure (95% confidence intervals (CI): -0.11; 0.63) per 10 dB(A) increase in 1-year mean road traffic noise levels, with stronger associations in men (0.59 mm Hg (CI: 0.13; 1.05) per 10 dB(A)) and older participants (0.65 mm Hg (0.08; 1.22) per 10 dB(A)). Road traffic noise was not associated with diastolic blood pressure or hypertension. Exposure to railway noise above 60 dB was associated with 8% higher risk for hypertension (95% CI: -2%; 19%, P = 0.11). Conclusions: While exposure to road traffic noise was associated with systolic blood pressure in subgroups, we were not able to identify associations with hypertension.

AB - Background: Epidemiological studies suggest that long-term exposure to transport noise increases the risk for cardiovascular disorders. The effect of transport noise on blood pressure and hypertension is uncertain. Methods. In 1993-1997, 57,053 participants aged 50-64 year were enrolled in a population-based cohort study. At enrolment, systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured. Incident hypertension during a mean follow-up of 5.3 years was assessed by questionnaire. Residential long-term road traffic noise (Lden) was estimated for 1- and 5-year periods preceding enrolment and preceding diagnosis of hypertension. Residential exposure to railway noise was estimated at enrolment. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of associations between road traffic and railway noise and blood pressure at enrolment with linear regression, adjusting for long-term air pollution, meteorology and potential lifestyle confounders (N = 44,083). Incident self-reported hypertension was analyzed with Cox regression, adjusting for long-term air pollution and potential lifestyle confounders. Results: We found a 0.26 mm Hg higher systolic blood pressure (95% confidence intervals (CI): -0.11; 0.63) per 10 dB(A) increase in 1-year mean road traffic noise levels, with stronger associations in men (0.59 mm Hg (CI: 0.13; 1.05) per 10 dB(A)) and older participants (0.65 mm Hg (0.08; 1.22) per 10 dB(A)). Road traffic noise was not associated with diastolic blood pressure or hypertension. Exposure to railway noise above 60 dB was associated with 8% higher risk for hypertension (95% CI: -2%; 19%, P = 0.11). Conclusions: While exposure to road traffic noise was associated with systolic blood pressure in subgroups, we were not able to identify associations with hypertension.

KW - Aged

KW - Air Pollution

KW - Blood Pressure

KW - Cities

KW - Cohort Studies

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Denmark

KW - Environmental Exposure

KW - Female

KW - Follow-Up Studies

KW - Humans

KW - Hypertension

KW - Incidence

KW - Life Style

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Motor Vehicles

KW - Noise, Transportation

KW - Questionnaires

KW - Railroads

KW - Regression Analysis

KW - Self Report

KW - Weather

U2 - 10.1186/1476-069X-10-92

DO - 10.1186/1476-069X-10-92

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 22034939

SN - 1476-069X

VL - 10

SP - 92

JO - Environmental Health

JF - Environmental Health

ER -