AUTHOR=Mu Jingfeng , zeng Dan , Fan Jingjie , Liu Meizhou , Yu Shuyuan , Zhang Shaochong , Ding Wanfu TITLE=Associations Between Air Pollution Exposure and Daily Pediatric Outpatient Visits for Dry Eye Disease: A Time-Series Study in Shenzhen, China JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health VOLUME=66 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2021.1604235 DOI=10.3389/ijph.2021.1604235 ISSN=1661-8564 ABSTRACT=

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the associations between air pollution exposure and pediatric outpatient visits for dry eye disease (DED) in Shenzhen, China.

Methods: Generalized additive models were utilized to explore the acute effects of air pollution exposure on pediatric outpatient visits for DED.

Results: Single-day lag exposures to NO₂, O₃, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀ were associated with DED outpatient visits at lag days 0, 6, 4 and 2. Relative risks (RRs) for DED given a 10-μg/m³ increase in NO₂, O₃, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀ concentrations were 1.062[95% confidence interval (CI) 1.003, 1.123], 1.015(95% CI 1.001, 1.031), 1.052(95% CI 1.001, 1.115), and 1.038 (95% CI 1.002, 1.076), respectively. RR for DED given a 10-μg/m³ increase in NO₂ over cumulative lag days 0–1 was 1.075 (95% CI 1.009, 1.147), and RR for DED given a 10-μg/m³ increase in PM₁₀ over cumulative lag days 0–4 was 1.051 (95% CI 1.003, 1.102).

Conclusion: The observed associations between air pollution and outpatient visits for DED may provide evidence for policy makers to consider implementing measures to reduce the risk of DED owing to air pollution in China.