Long-Term Transportation Noise Exposure and Incidence of Ischemic Heart Disease and Stroke

摘要

Background Exposure to transportation noise is widespread and has been suggested as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, the evidence from longitudinal studies on ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke is limited. This cohort study aimed to estimate the association between exposure to noise from road traffic, railways or aircraft and incidence of IHD and stroke. Methods We assessed individual long-term exposure to road traffic, railway and aircraft noise based on residential histories in a cohort of 20,012 individuals. The National Patient and Cause-of-Death Registers were used to define IHD and stroke events. Extensive information on potential confounders was available from questionnaires and registers. We computed Hazard Ratios (HR) using Cox proportional hazards regression to assess associations between noise exposure and IHD. Results The study base of 245,000 person-years generated 1,363 and 902 incident events of IHD and stroke, respectively. We observed a particularly high risk of IHD in those exposed to all three transportation noise sources at ≥45 dB Lden, with a HR of 1.57(95%CI 1.06-2.32), and a similar tendency for stroke (HR1.42; 95%CI 0.87-2.32). While no associations were observed between noise exposure from any of the sources and incidence of IHD or stroke, there were associations between road traffic and aircraft noise exposure 1-5 years prior to the event and IHD incidence in women, with HR of 1.11(95%CI 1.00-1.22) and 1.25 (95%CI 1.09-1.44) per 10 dB Lden, respectively. On the other hand, a decreased risk of IHD was seen for men in relation to road traffic noise exposure (HR 0.86; 95%CI 0.79-0.94 per 10 dB). Conclusion No overall associations were observed between noise exposure from different transportation noise sources and incidence of IHD or stroke. However, there appeared to be an increased risk of IHD in women exposed to road traffic or aircraft noise as well as in those exposed to multiple sources of transportation noise.