title: Epidemiology of air pollution and diabetes.
abstract: Air pollution affects a large proportion of the global population. Air pollutants are hypothesized to exert their effects via impaired endothelial function, elevated systemic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress, all of which are hallmarks of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Here we review epidemiological studies aimed at answering whether diabetes patients are more vulnerable to ambient (outdoor) air pollution exposure and whether air pollution is associated with diabetes development or other predisposing conditions for T2D. Current evidence suggests an association between air pollution exposure and T2D, but more critical analysis is warranted. Understanding the associations between air pollution exposure and the development of T2D is critical in our efforts to control sources of air pollution and their impact on the disease.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Epidemiology I, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany; Division of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, University of Munich Medical Center, Munich, Germany. Electronic address: elisabeth.thiering@helmholtz-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thiering
authors.affiliation: Institute of Epidemiology I, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany; Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Inner City Clinic, University Hospital Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heinrich
mesh_terms: D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology
keywords: air pollution; gestational diabetes; mortality; type 2 diabetes