Frontiers in Public Health (Oct 2022)

Short-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter and psoriasis: A time-series analysis in Beijing, China

  • Junhui Wu,
  • Junhui Wu,
  • Hongbo Chen,
  • Hongbo Chen,
  • Ruotong Yang,
  • Huan Yu,
  • Shaomei Shang,
  • Yonghua Hu,
  • Yonghua Hu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1015197
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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BackgroundAmbient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) adversely affects human health and has been linked to a variety of skin disorders. However, little is known about the effects of PM2.5 on psoriasis.MethodsThe Beijing Medical Claim Data for Employees database recorded 500,266 outpatient visits for psoriasis during 2010–2017. A generalized additive quasi-Poisson model was used to examine the relationship between daily PM2.5 concentrations and outpatient visits for psoriasis with stratification by sex, age, and season.ResultsShort-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with outpatient visits for psoriasis-related health concerns. A same-day increase of 10 μg/m3 in PM2.5 concentrations was associated with a 0.29% (95% confidence interval: 0.26–0.32%) increase in daily outpatient visits for psoriasis. Female and older patients appeared to be more sensitive to the effects of PM2.5 (P < 0.05).ConclusionsShort-term elevations in PM2.5 concentrations may be associated with exacerbations in psoriasis. Further work is warranted to confirm the findings and elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms.

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