J Korean Med Sci.  2020 Mar;35(10):e64. 10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e64.

Effects of Particulate Respirator Use on Cardiopulmonary Function in Elderly Women: a Quasi-Experimental Study

• Lim YH
• Kim W
• Choi Y
• Kim HC
• Na G
• Kim HR
• Hong YC

• KMID: 2471798
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e64

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Individual particulate respirator use may offer protection against exposure to particulate matter < 2.5 µm in diameter (PM(2.5)). Among elderly Korean women, we explored individual particulate respirator use and cardiopulmonary function.
METHODS
Recruited in Seoul, Korea, 21 elderly, non-smoking women wore particulate respirators for six consecutive days (exlcuding time spent eating, sleeping, and bathing). We measured resting blood pressure before, during, and after respirator use and recorded systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, pulse pressure, and lung function. We also measured 12-hour ambulatory blood pressure at the end of the 6-day long experiment and control periods. Additionally, we examined physiological stress (heart rate variability and urinary 8-hydroxy-2"²-deoxyguanosine) while wearing the particulate respirators. Person- and exposure-level covariates were also considered in the model.
RESULTS
After the 6-day period of respirator use, resting blood pressure was reduced by 5.3 mmHg for systolic blood pressure (P = 0.013), 2.9 mmHg for mean arterial blood pressure (P = 0.079), and 3.6 mmHg for pulse pressure (P = 0.024). However, particulate respirator use was associated with changes in physiological stress markers. A parasympathetic activity marker (high frequency) significantly decreased by 24.0% (P = 0.029), whereas a sympathetic activity marker (ratio of low-to-high frequency) increased by 50.3% (P = 0.045). An oxidative stress marker, 8-hydroxy-2"²-deoxyguanosine, increased by 3.4 ng/mg creatinine (P = 0.021) during the experimental period compared with that during the control period. Lung function indices indicated that wearing particulate respirators was protective; however, statistical significance was not confirmed.
CONCLUSION
Individual particulate respirator use may prevent PM(2.5)-induced blood-pressure elevation among elderly Korean women. However, the effects of particulate respirator use, including physiological stress marker elevation, should also be considered. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0003526

Keyword

Blood Pressure; Elderly; Experiment; Particulate Matter; Stress

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Arterial Pressure
Blood Pressure
Creatinine
Eating
Female
Humans
Information Services
Korea
Lung
Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic*
Oxidative Stress
Particulate Matter
Seoul
Stress, Physiological
Ventilators, Mechanical*
Creatinine
Particulate Matter