Hypertension and road traffic noise exposure.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between road traffic noise exposure at home and the prevalence of hypertension.


METHODS
We conducted cross-sectional analyses in a large random sample (N=40,856) of inhabitants of Groningen City, and in a subsample (the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease [PREVEND]) study cohort; N=8592).


RESULTS
Before adjustment for confounders, road traffic noise exposure was associated with self-reported use of antihypertensive medication in the city of Groningen sample (odds ratio [OR]=1.31 per 10-dB increase in Lden). Adjusted odds ratios were significant for the subjects between 45 and 55 years old in the full model when adjusted for PM10 (OR=1.19) and at higher exposure (Lden >55 dB) only (OR=1.21; with adjustment for PM10, OR=1.31). In the PREVEND cohort, the unadjusted odds ratio was 1.35 for hypertension (systolic and diastolic blood pressure >140 and >90 mm Hg, respectively, or use of antihypertensive medication). Again, the adjusted odds ratio was significant for subjects between 45 and 55 years old (OR=1.27; with adjustment for PM10, OR=1.39).


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to road traffic noise may be associated with hypertension in subjects who are between 45 and 55 years old. Associations seemed to be stronger at higher noise levels.
de Kluizenaar
Yvonne
Y
TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research), Delft, the Netherlands. yvonne.dekluizenaar@tno.nl
Gansevoort
Ronald T
RT
Miedema
Henk M E
HM
de Jong
Paul E
PE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001336:Automobiles; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D009624:Noise, Transportation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires