The Association between Noise Exposure and Metabolic Syndrome: A Longitudinal Cohort Study in Taiwan

Association between residential noise exposure and burnout among healthcare workers in Taiwan: a cross-sectional study

Few studies have explored the association between residential noise exposure and burnout. In this study, we investigated the association between residential noise exposure and burnout prevalence among 5416 health-care workers in Taiwan from 2012 to 2017. Burnout was evaluated using the Mandarin version of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory by considering both continuous and binary measures. We applied ordinary Kriging models to calculate the annual average residential noise exposure at an individual level. Multivariable linear regression models and logistic regression models were employed. Restricted cubic splines were used to explore dose-response relationships. The median age of the health-care workers was 31.5 years. In the multivariable linear regression models, exposure to residential noise (per 1 dBA) was associated with increases in personal burnout and work-related burnout scores by 1.59 ± 0.25 and 1.38 ± 0.20, respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression models, the adjusted odds ratios were 1.24 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16, 1.32) for personal burnout and 1.19 (95% CI: 1.13, 1.26) for work-related burnout per 1-dBA increase in residential noise exposure. Linear dose-response associations of burnout with residential noise level were detected. Our findings suggest that exposure to residential noise may increase the risk of burnout among health-care workers.

Geospatial analysis for environmental noise mapping: A land use regression approach in a metropolitan city

Environmental noise can lead to adverse health outcomes. Understanding the spatial variability of environmental noise is crucial for mitigating potential health risks and developing influential urban strategies for reducing noise levels. This study aimed to measure noise levels and develop a land use regression (LUR) model to determine the spatial variability of environmental noise in Shiraz, Iran. A grid-based technique was used to establish 191 noise measurement sites (summer) across the city to generate the LUR model based on two noise metrics: Lden and Lnight. Leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) and 38 additional measurement sites (winter) were used for the LUR model assessment. The mean values of Lden and Lnight during summer were 68.20 (±8.05) and 58.95 (±9.55), respectively, while during winter, the corresponding values were 69.46 (±5.46) and 58.81 (±6.79). The LUR models explained 67% and 65% of the spatial variability in Lden and Lnight, respectively. LOOCV analysis demonstrated R2 values of 0.64 and 0.61. Moreover, findings indicated mean absolute error (MAE) values of 3.96 dB(A) for Lden and 4.74 dB(A) for Lnight. Validation based on an additional set of 38 measurement sites revealed R2 values of 0.62 for both Lden and Lnight, with MAE of 2.78 and 3.31, respectively. In addition, the adjusted R2 values were 0.54 and 0.53. The results indicated no significant temporal variations between summer and winter. The results revealed that road-related variables significantly influenced noise levels. Moreover, the results indicated that Lden and Lnight levels were higher than the World Health Organization recommendations for exposure to road traffic noise. The results of our study showed that the LUR modeling approach based on geographical predictors is an effective tool for assessing changes in ambient noise levels in other cities in Iran and around the globe.

Effects of personal noise exposure, sleep quality, and burnout on quality of life: An online participation cohort study in Taiwan

Chronic noise exposure in daily life not only causes physical and mental illness but also reduces quality of life. However, collecting objective data on sound exposure and subjective acoustic comfort through a traditional one-shot survey is difficult. This study applied online chatbots in social media to explore the effects of daily sound exposure, personal characteristics, noise sensitivity, burnout status, and sleep quality on quality of life using a short-term participatory cohort design. During the two-month survey in 2022, 207 participants completed at least 15 days of collection of data on sound exposure and perception, as well as periodic structural questionnaires during the follow-ups. Linear regression and generalized linear models were applied to explore the factors influencing personal burnout, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and quality of life. A chain mediation model was applied to explore the direct and indirect effects of noise exposure on quality of life. The results showed a better quality of life among respondents who rated their home environment better, were in good health, had better daily acoustic comfort, and were less exposed to noise during the week. In contrast, respondents with lower daily acoustic comfort and a higher frequency of noise-induced sleep disturbances and mood disorders were more likely to have poorer sleep quality. A higher personal burnout was associated with poorer health, longer exposure to noise during the week, a higher frequency of noise-induced illnesses, and neurotic traits. In the mediation analyses, noise-induced sleep disturbance and better daily acoustic comfort also had important direct influences on quality of life compared to the indirect pathway through sleep quality and personal burnout. In conclusion, noise exposure in daily life not only exacerbated poor sleep quality and personal burnout but also reduced quality of life.

Aircraft and road traffic noise, insulin resistance, and diabetes: The role of neighborhood socioeconomic status in San Diego County

Evidence linking traffic noise to insulin resistance and diabetes is limited and unanswered questions remain regarding the potential effect modification by neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES). We aimed to assess socioeconomic inequalities in noise exposure, whether road and aircraft noise exposures were associated with insulin resistance or diabetes, and whether nSES modified these relationships. Among the Community of Mine Study in San Diego County, road and aircraft noise exposure at enrollment was calculated based on the static (participant's administrative boundary, and circular buffer around participant homes), and dynamic (mobility data by global positioning system, GPS) spatio-temporal aggregation methods. Associations of noise with insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) or type 2 diabetes (T2DM) were quantified using generalized estimating equation models adjusted for sex, age, ethnicity, individual income, and air pollution (nitrogen dioxide) exposure. Additive interaction between noise and nSES was assessed. Among 573 participants (mean age 58.7 y), participants living in low nSES were exposed to higher levels of aircraft and road noise using noise level at the census tract, circular buffer, or Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) of GPS data. Participants exposed to road noise greater or equal to the median (53 dB(A)) at the census tract and living in low nSES had an increased level of insulin resistance (β = 0.15, 95%CI: -0.04, 0.34) and higher odds of T2DM (Odds Ratio = 2.34, 95%CI: 1.12, 4.90). A positive additive interaction was found as participants living in low nSES had higher odds of T2DM. The impact of noise exposure on insulin resistance and T2DM differs substantially by nSES. Public health benefits of reducing exposure to road or aircraft noise would be larger in individuals living in low nSES.

Association with Combined Occupational Hazards Exposure and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Workers' Health Examination Cohort 2012-2021

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the association between exposure to occupational hazards and the metabolic syndrome. A secondary objective was to analyze the additive and multiplicative effects of exposure to risk factors.

Methods

This retrospective cohort was based on 31,615 health examinees at the Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital in Republic of Korea from 2012-2021. Demographic and behavior-related risk factors were treated as confounding factors, whereas three physical factors, 19 organic solvents and aerosols, and 13 metals and dust were considered occupational risk factors. Time-dependent Cox regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios.

Results

The risk of metabolic syndrome was significantly higher in night shift workers (hazard ratio = 1.45: 95% confidence interval = 1.36-1.54) and workers who were exposed to noise (1.15:1.07-1.24). Exposure to some other risk factors was also significantly associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome. They were dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, trichloroethylene, xylene, styrene, toluene, dichloromethane, copper, antimony, lead, copper, iron, welding fume, and manganese. Among the 28 significant pairs, 19 exhibited both positive additive and multiplicative effects.

Conclusions

Exposure to single or combined occupational risk factors may increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Working conditions should be monitored and improved to reduce exposure to occupational hazards and prevent the development of the metabolic syndrome.

Traffic noise in the bedroom in association with markers of obesity: a cross-sectional study and mediation analysis of the respiratory health in Northern Europe cohort

BACKGROUND

Previous research suggests an association between road traffic noise and obesity, but current evidence is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to assess the association between nocturnal noise exposure and markers of obesity and to assess whether sleep disturbance might be a mediator in this association.

METHODS

We applied data from the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE) cohort. We used self-measured waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) as outcome values. Noise exposure was assessed as perceived traffic noise in the bedroom and/or the bedroom window's location towards the street. We applied adjusted linear, and logistic regression models, evaluated effect modifications and conducted mediation analysis.

RESULTS

Based on fully adjusted models we found that women, who reported very high traffic noise levels in bedroom, had 1.30 (95% CI 0.24-2.37) kg/m² higher BMI and 3.30 (95% CI 0.39-6.20) cm higher WC compared to women, who reported no traffic noise in the bedroom. Women who reported higher exposure to road traffic noise had statistically significant higher odds of being overweight and have abdominal obesity with OR varying from 1.15 to 1.26 compared to women, who reported no traffic noise in the bedroom. For men, the associations were rather opposite, although mostly statistically insignificant. Furthermore, men, who reported much or very much traffic noise in the bedroom, had a statistically significantly lower risk of abdominal obesity. Sleep disturbance fully or partially mediated the association between noise in bedroom and obesity markers among women.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that self-reported traffic noise in the bedroom may be associated to being overweight or obese trough sleep disturbance among women, but associations were inconclusive among men.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and Metabolic Syndrome in One of the Oil Industries in the South of Iran

Investigating the non-auditory effects of noise on humans has been of interest from different aspects. In this study, the relationship between noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and metabolic syndrome. This cross-sectional study was performed on 1380 male workers of one of the oil and gas companies in the south of Iran. The data was obtained via clinical examination and hearing status assessment to evaluate the metabolic syndrome and its components, intravenous blood samples were taken and tested according to NCEPATPIII criteria. For statistical analysis, the data were analyzed using SPSS software version 25 at a significant level of 0.05. The results showed that the body mass index variable increased the chance of developing metabolic syndrome by 11.4%. NIHL increases the chance of developing metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.291). Also, the same results were observed in hypertriglyceridemia OR = 1.255, waist circumference (OR = 1.163), fasting blood sugar (OR = 1.159), blood pressure (OR = 1.068) and HDL (OR = 1.051). Considering the effect of NIHL on metabolic syndrome, it is possible to help reducing the incidence of metabolic syndrome and any of its components by controlling noise exposure and accordingly reducing non-auditory injuries to individuals.

DNA hydroxymethylation reprogramming of β-oxidation genes mediates early-life arsenic-evoked hepatic lipid accumulation in adult mice

The metabolic disorders are becoming an epidemic disease endangering public health in countries. Environmental factors are mainly reason for the growth of metabolic disorders. Previous research suggests that DNA methylation is a potential mechanism. Recently, it has been reported that DNA hydroxymethylation is also a stable marker of epigenetic reprogramming. Hence, the study aims to investigate whether DNA hydroxymehylation mediates early-life environmental stress-evoked metabolic disorder in adulthood. Mice were orally administered with arsenic (As), an environmental stressor, throughout pregnancy. We show that early-life As exposure induces glucose intolerance and hepatic lipid accumulation in adulthood. Early-life As exposure alters epigenetic reprogramming and expression of lipid metabolism-related genes including β-oxidation-specific genes in adulthood. Of interest, early-life As exposure alters epigenetic reprogramming of hepatic lipid metabolism partially through reducing DNA hydroxymethylation modification of β-oxidation-related genes in developing liver. Mechanistically, early-life As exposure suppresses ten-eleven translocation (TET) activity through downregulating isocitrate dehydrogenases (Idh) and reducing alpha-ketoglutarate (α-KG) content in the developing liver. In addition, early-life As exposure inhibits TET1 binding to CpG-rich fragments of β-oxidation-related genes in developing liver. This study provide novel evidence that early-life environmental stress leads to later life metabolic disorders by altering hepatic DNA hydroxymethylation reprogramming.

Association of Occupational Noise Exposure and Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome in a Retrospective Cohort Study

Metabolic syndrome is one of the common causes of cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Although noise is an environmental factor to which people can be commonly exposed at work and in daily life, there are currently insufficient studies on the relationship between noise and metabolic syndrome. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between noise and metabolic syndrome. Using a multivariate time-dependent Cox proportional hazard model, the impacts of occupational noise exposure on metabolic syndrome and its components were analyzed in a retrospective cohort of 60,727 participants from 2014 to 2017. The noise exposure group showed a significantly higher incidence of metabolic syndrome and was associated with elevated triglycerides, blood sugar, and blood pressure, but decreased high-density lipoprotein, among subgroups. There was no statistically significant association with abdominal obesity. Occupational noise exposure significantly contributed to the incidence of metabolic syndrome and changes in its components. This study could be a basis for establishing policies and guidelines to reduce noise exposure that might improve workers’ health.

Effect of ambient noise on indoor environments in a health care facility in Oman

Hospital-noise levels can induce physiological responses and affect sleep quality, which could contribute to cardiovascular-related health problems. Till date, high-resolution hospital noise exposure assessment studies have not received much attention in Oman. This study aims at assessing sound pressure levels across hospital wards and intensive care unit (ICU) rooms to determine annoyance and potential health effects based on perception and risk estimates. An indoor exposure assessment using high precision noise sensors was conducted in a female medical ward (FMW), isolated ward (SLW), emergency ward (EMW), and intensive care unit (ICU) in a public hospital in Muscat city, Oman. Self-administered questionnaire was randomly distributed among respondents using both online and field survey approach to ascertain annoyance, health effects, and potential risks associated with exposure. The study found that 24-h noise levels (L_Aeq) ranged from 55.2 to 61.7 dB(A) in the hospital wards and ICU rooms, which exceeded WHO's hospital indoor rooms critical limit of 35 dB(A) by 58-76%. A total of 150 participants took part in the survey. Among the respondents, 53% reported moderate annoyance at the hospital wards, while 56% felt sensitivity to the noise levels. Noise annoyance was reported by the majority of the patients across the various wards and emergency rooms as causing slight annoyance (50%) and intermittent sleep disturbances (49%). The majority (73%) of the medical staff have complained that the current noise levels affect overall work performance (p = 0.004), while 70% of them have further complained of it as a cause of workplace distraction (p = 0.011). Logistic binary regression analysis has revealed that the complaint of noise sensitivity has a positive association with noise levels in VCW (OR: 1.54; 95% CI: 0.92-2.58), and reported loss of concentration by the medical staff also associated with noise levels at the EMW (OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 0.65-4.01). Quantitative risk estimates showed that both the percentages of highly annoyed (HA) persons (16%), and highly sleep-disturbed (HSD) persons (9%) were very high in FMW, while ICU was found to have the lowest risk. However, the greater number of the respondents (87%) believed that there are possibilities of mitigating (p < 0.001) the current noise levels.

Redox Switches in Noise-Induced Cardiovascular and Neuronal Dysregulation

Environmental exposures represent a significant health hazard, which cumulatively may be responsible for up to 2/3 of all chronic non-communicable disease and associated mortality (Global Burden of Disease Study and The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health), which has given rise to a new concept of the exposome: the sum of environmental factors in every individual’s experience. Noise is part of the exposome and is increasingly being investigated as a health risk factor impacting neurological, cardiometabolic, endocrine, and immune health. Beyond the well-characterized effects of high-intensity noise on cochlear damage, noise is relatively well-studied in the cardiovascular field, where evidence is emerging from both human and translational experiments that noise from traffic-related sources could represent a risk factor for hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. In the present review, we comprehensively discuss the current state of knowledge in the field of noise research. We give a brief survey of the literature documenting experiments in noise exposure in both humans and animals with a focus on cardiovascular disease. We also discuss the mechanisms that have been uncovered in recent years that describe how exposure to noise affects physiological homeostasis, leading to aberrant redox signaling resulting in metabolic and immune consequences, both of which have considerable impact on cardiovascular health. Additionally, we discuss the molecular pathways of redox involvement in the stress responses to noise and how they manifest in disruptions of the circadian rhythm, inflammatory signaling, gut microbiome composition, epigenetic landscape and vessel function.

Urban Noise Exposure and Cardiometabolic Diseases: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study in Lisbon

Introduction

Urban noise pollution has been associated with an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Nevertheless, existing observational studies relating to noise exposure and metabolic syndrome are based on non-generalizable cohorts. Lisbon remains a noisy city where this association has not been evaluated, and for this reason, we studied the relationship between exposure to urban noise and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hypertension.

Methods

Diurnal, evening and nocturnal noise emission levels were obtained for each street in the city from the Lisbon noise map. After allocation of all roads to the respective parish of Lisbon, the noise emission for each parish was averaged for each day period. The number of adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and hypertension in 2014, 2015 and 2016 in each parish of Lisbon was obtained from the Regional Health Administration of Lisbon and Tagus Valley. Prevalence as a percentage of the population was determined using the number of residents in each parish determined in the 2011 population census. Spearman's non-parametric correlation coefficient was used due to the non-normal distribution of the variables, at the 5% significance level (α = 0.05).

Results

No correlations were found between daytime, afternoon or night-time noise exposure and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity or hypertension, although correlations were found between the cardiometabolic variables. Nevertheless, noise levels in Lisbon were above the legally established limit and the World Health Organization guidelines for environmental noise exposure in the European region.

Conclusion

Our results do not agree with previous studies and should be faced as preliminary due to a strong biological plausibility for an association between noise exposure and cardiometabolic diseases and to encourage further studies, with longitudinal cohorts.

Physical Activity in Polluted Air-Net Benefit or Harm to Cardiovascular Health? A Comprehensive Review

Both exposure to higher levels of polluted air and physical inactivity are crucial risk factors for the development and progression of major noncommunicable diseases and, in particular, of cardiovascular disease. In this context, the World Health Organization estimated 4.2 and 3.2 million global deaths per year in response to ambient air pollution and insufficient physical activity, respectively. While regular physical activity is well known to improve general health, it may also increase the uptake and deposit of air pollutants in the lungs/airways and circulation, due to increased breathing frequency and minute ventilation, thus increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Thus, determining the tradeoff between the health benefits of physical activity and the potential harmful effects of increased exposure to air pollution during physical activity has important public health consequences. In the present comprehensive review, we analyzed evidence from human and animal studies on the combined effects of physical activity and air pollution on cardiovascular and other health outcomes. We further report on pathophysiological mechanisms underlying air pollution exposure, as well as the protective effects of physical activity with a focus on oxidative stress and inflammation. Lastly, we provide mitigation strategies and practical recommendations for physical activity in areas with polluted air.

Screening the Influence of Biomarkers for Metabolic Syndrome in Occupational Population Based on the Lasso Algorithm

Aim: Metabolic syndrome (MS) screening is essential for the early detection of the occupational population. This study aimed to screen out biomarkers related to MS and establish a risk assessment and prediction model for the routine physical examination of an occupational population.

Methods: The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regression algorithm of machine learning was used to screen biomarkers related to MS. Then, the accuracy of the logistic regression model was further verified based on the Lasso regression algorithm. The areas under the receiving operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the selection accuracy of biomarkers in identifying MS subjects with risk. The screened biomarkers were used to establish a logistic regression model and calculate the odds ratio (OR) of the corresponding biomarkers. A nomogram risk prediction model was established based on the selected biomarkers, and the consistency index (C-index) and calibration curve were derived.

Results: A total of 2,844 occupational workers were included, and 10 biomarkers related to MS were screened. The number of non-MS cases was 2,189 and that of MS was 655. The area under the curve (AUC) value for non-Lasso and Lasso logistic regression was 0.652 and 0.907, respectively. The established risk assessment model revealed that the main risk biomarkers were absolute basophil count (OR: 3.38, CI:1.05–6.85), platelet packed volume (OR: 2.63, CI:2.31–3.79), leukocyte count (OR: 2.01, CI:1.79–2.19), red blood cell count (OR: 1.99, CI:1.80–2.71), and alanine aminotransferase level (OR: 1.53, CI:1.12–1.98). Furthermore, favorable results with C-indexes (0.840) and calibration curves closer to ideal curves indicated the accurate predictive ability of this nomogram.

Conclusions: The risk assessment model based on the Lasso logistic regression algorithm helped identify MS with high accuracy in physically examining an occupational population.

The effects of dyslipidemia on noise-induced hearing loss in a petrochemical workers in the Southwest of Iran

BACKGROUND

Research has shown that the decrease in the inner diameter of vessels caused by hyperlipidemia lowers the capacity for blood oxygen delivery to the cochlea. This leads to impaired cochlear metabolism and causes hearing problems.

OBJECTIVE

The effects of dyslipidemia on noise-induced hearing loss in workers were examined.

METHODS

This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 692 male employees in a petrochemical industry in the southwest of Iran exposed to 85 dB noise. Clinical audiometry and blood sample tests were used to evaluate the hearing and prevalence indices of dyslipidemia (cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL). The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 25 (p = 0.05).

RESULTS

The results showed that the prevalence of dyslipidemia was 24.5%with abnormal relative triglyceride frequency of 49.5%, HDL of 28%, LDL of 33%, and total blood cholesterol level of 37.8%. There was no significant relationship between NIHL and dyslipidemia (p >  0.09). However, the major NIHL drops at different frequencies were in the individuals with dyslipidemia. The parameters age and dyslipidemia increased NIHL odds ratio (95%C.I.). by 1.130 (1.160-1.100) and 1.618 (2.418-1.082) respectivelyCONCLUSION:The rate of hearing loss in individuals with dyslipidemia increases at different frequencies and it leads to an increase of the OR of NIHL in individuals with dyslipidemia. We can control dyslipidemia and its effective factors. The NIHL is more common in people exposed to noise.

Association of noise exposure with risk of metabolic syndrome: Evidence from 44,698 individuals

AIMS

Previous studies have explored the association between noise exposure and risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS); however, the results remain inconclusive.

METHODS

PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched through December 2020, multivariate-adjusted relative risks (RRs) were pooled by using random-effects models. Subgroup analysis was also conducted stratifying by gender, study location, study design, source of noise, study quality, adjusting for smoking, drinking, body mass index, physical activity and shift work.

RESULTS

Five studies involving 44,698 participants and 5187 MetS cases were included. A summarized adjusted RR for the relationship between noise exposure and risk of MetS was 1.27 (95% CI, 1.02-1.60), and 1.11 (1.02-1.21) for blood pressure and 1.11 (1.06-1.17) for blood glucose. Subgroup analysis revealed that the pooled risk of MetS was statistically significant in all cohort studies (RR = 1.34, 95 %CI, 1.06-1.68), ambient/traffic noise (RR = 1.24, 95 %CI, 1.13-1.35) and occupational noise by removing one low quality study (RR = 2.21, 95 %CI, 1.41-3.44).

CONCLUSIONS

Noise exposure is associated with an increased risk of MetS, and occupational noise exposure may result in a greater risk. Additional more prospective large-scale studies conducted in more countries or populations are needed to confirm the results, establish causality and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Association of Age and Sex with Metabolic Syndrome in Taiwanese Adults

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the association of age and sex with metabolic syndrome (MS) in Taiwanese adults.

Methods

We extracted information of 4307 men and 4783 women aged 30–70 from the Taiwan Biobank.

Results

The interaction between age and sex on MS was significant (p-value = 0.0001). After stratification by sex, men and women aged 50–70 years (reference: 30≤age<50 years) had a higher risk of MS. The odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) was 2.316, 1.936–2.772 in men and 3.101, 2.561–3.754 in women. After stratification by age, men aged 50–70 years had a lower risk of MS compared to women (OR, 95% CI = 0.713, 0.598–0.851).

Conclusion

The interaction between age and sex on MS was significant. Sex-wise, both men and women aged 50–70 years had a higher likelihood of MS. Age-wise, men aged 50–70 years had a lower risk of MS compared to women.