Abstract
Objective To investigate the impact of air pollution on dynamic changes in lung function and further explore the association between genetic factors and lung function and its changes. Methods Research data were from 14 506 participants in the United Kingdom Biobank with two complete baseline and follow-up lung function tests. Particulate matter [including particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm and ≤10 μm (PM 2.5 and PM 10 )], nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) concentrations were estimated using land-use regression models. Annual changes in lung function were calculated based on baseline and follow-up lung function tests. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) of lung function [forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1 ), forced vital capacity (FVC), and the ratio of FEV 1 to FVC (FEV 1 /FVC)] were constructed by genetic variations. The association between air pollution concentrations and lung function changes was analyzed by multiple linear regression models, and the impact of genetic factors on lung function and its changes was also assessed. Results PM 2.5 , PM 10 , NO 2 , and NO x showed a negative correlation with FVC changes [PM 2.5 : -6.66 (95% CI : -9.92- -3.40) ml/year; PM 10 : -0.40 (95% CI : -0.77- -0.03) ml/year; NO 2 : -1.84 (95% CI : -2.60- -1.07) ml/year; NO x : -1.37 (95% CI : -2.27- -0.46) ml/year]. Additionally, PM 2.5 , PM 10 and NO 2 were also negatively correlated with changes in FEV 1 [PM 2.5 : -3.19 (95% CI : -5.79- -0.59) ml/year; PM 10 : -3.00 (95% CI : -5.92- -0.08) ml/year; NO 2 : -0.95 (95% CI : -1.56- -0.34) ml/year]. PRS of lung function were positively correlated with baseline lung function (FVC, FEV 1 , and FEV 1 /FVC) and lung function changes (all β >0, all P <0.001). In different PRS stratification analyses, the effect of air pollution on lung function changes remained significant, and there was no apparent heterogeneity. Conclusions PRS of lung function are significantly associated with baseline and lung function changes. Long-term exposure to air pollution accelerates the decline of lung function indicators such as FVC and FEV 1 . The effects of air pollution are consistent in individuals with different genetic risk scores.