Effects of short-term air pollution exposure on symptoms development in the course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Lately a potential detrimental effect of air pollution to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis emerged. We aimed to assess the effects of short-term air pollution exposure to the clinical course of IPF.

Research design and methods: IPF patients were followed intensively for four nonconsecutive study periods between 13 July 2020 and 5 September 2021. Short-term exposure to O₃, NO₂ and PM₁₀ concentrations was estimated using spatio-temporal land use regression models. Associations among symptoms, lung function, oxygen saturation, and short-term personal air pollutant exposure were assessed through multiple mixed effects logistic regression models.

Results: Data for up to 24 IPF patients (mean age: 72.2 ± 7.6 years) were analyzed. We detected positive significant associations between cough and a 10 μg/m³ increase in same day mean level of NO₂ (OR = 1.59, 95%CI: 1.00-2.53), PM₁₀ (OR = 2.42, 95%CI: 1.54-3.79), and O₃ (OR = 1.63, 95%CI: 1.14-2.32). A 10 μg/m³ increase in same day mean level of NO₂ was also associated with the risk of appearance of wheezing (OR = 3.01, 95%CI: 1.00-9.04), while exposure to O₃ was associated with common cold (OR = 6.30, 95%CI: 3.59-11.07). No significant associations were detected between short-term exposure to air pollutants and forced vital capacity or saturation of oxygen.

Conclusions: Short-term exposure to increased concentrations of air pollutants is an independent risk factor for IPF symptoms' aggravation.