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Association with PM2.5 exposure and metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study in rural areas in three provinces of China

Published on Dec. 29, 2025Total Views: 63 timesTotal Downloads: 28 timesDownloadMobile

Author: JI Qingyuan 1 ZHANG Hanbin 2, 3 YE Pengpeng 4 LIU Tingzhuo 1 DU Xue 1 WANG Tengyi 1 LI Xiaoying 5 TIAN Wei 7, 8, 9 ZHANG Xinyi 1, 6 TIAN Maoyi 1, 6, 7, 8, 9

Affiliation: 1. School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150000, China 2. European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro TR10 8RD, UK. 3. Environmental Research Group, MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London Medical School, London W12 0BZ, UK. 4. National Center for Chronic and Non-communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China 5. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA 6. Department of General Practice, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150000, China 7. Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin 150000, China 8. NHC Key Laboratory of Etiology and Epidemiology, Harbin 150000, China 9. Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Human Health, Harbin 150000, China

Keywords: Metabolic syndrome Particulate matter 2.5 Indoor air monitoring Rural China Cross-sectional study

DOI: 10.12173/j.issn.1004-5511.202507221

Reference: Ji QY, Zhang HB, Ye PP, Liu TZ, Du X, Wang TY, Li XY, Tian W, Zhang XY, Tian MY. Association with PM2.5 exposure and metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study in rural areas in three provinces of China[J]. Yixue Xinzhi Zazhi, 2025, 35(12): 1387-1397. DOI: 10.12173/j.issn.1004-5511.202507221. [Article in Chinese]

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Abstract

Objective  To evaluate the association between indoor PM2.5 exposure and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in rural areas of three provinces in China.

Methods  This cross-sectional study was conducted across 240 villages in three Chinese provinces. Participants aged≥30 years were randomly selected through gender-  and age-stratified sampling in each village. Sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, medical history, and residential environment features were collected via standardized questionnaires. The prevalence of MetS was assessed based on blood pressure, waist circumference, and fasting venous blood biochemical indices. Indoor PM2.5 concentrations were assessed using PM2.5 monitoring devices that provided continuous 24-hour monitoring over seven days. Multivariable Logistic regression models were constructed to analyze the relationship between PM2.5 exposure levels and MetS risk, with dose-response relationships explored using restricted cubic spline models. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were also conducted simultaneously.

Results  A total of 958 participants were included in the study, with a prevalence of MetS of 54.91%. After adjusting for confounders, participants exposed to the highest levels of PM2.5 exhibited significantly elevated MetS risk compared to the lowest exposure [OR=1.62, 95%CI (1.16, 2.26)]. Subgroup analyses revealed heightened susceptibility to high PM2.5 exposure among females [OR=2.28, 95%CI (1.39, 3.75)], individuals aged 50~<60  years [OR=2.08, 95%CI(1.14, 3.80)], low level of education [OR=1.99, 95%CI (1.33, 3.52)], low level of income [OR=2.26, 95%CI (1.20, 4.25)], exposure to household second-hand smoke [OR=1.58, 95%CI (1.10, 2.27)], those cooking for 1~2 h/d [OR=1.78, 95%CI (1.12, 2.82)] and individuals engaged in light physical labor [OR=1.55, 95%CI (1.07, 2.26)]. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings.

Conclusion Elevated indoor PM2.5 exposure is associated with increased MetS risk in rural China, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address household air pollution and improve indoor air quality.

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