Road traffic noise exposure and filled prescriptions for antihypertensive medication: A danish cohort study

Jesse D. Thacher*, Aslak H. Poulsen, Nina Roswall, Ulla Hvidtfeldt, Ole Raaschou-Nielsen, Steen Solvangjensen, Matthias Ketze, Jørgen Brandt, Kim Overvad, Anne Tjønneland, Thomas Münze, Mette Sørensen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Background:
Epidemiological research on effects of transportation noise on incident hypertension is inconsistent.Objectives:We aimed to investigate whether residential road traffic noise increases the risk for hypertension.

Methods:In a population-based cohort of 57,053 individuals 50–64 years of age at enrollment, we identified 21,241 individuals who fulfilled our case
definition of filling ≥2 prescriptions and ≥180
defined daily doses of antihypertensive drugs (AHTs) within a year,
during a mean follow-up time of 14.0 y. Residential addresses from 1987
to 2016 were obtained from national registers, and road traffic noise at
the most exposed façade as well as the least exposed façade was modeled
for all addresses. Analyses were conducted using Cox proportional
hazards models.

Results:We found no associations between the 10-y mean exposure to road traffic noise and filled prescriptions for AHTs, with incidence rate ratios
(IRRs) of 0.999 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.980, 1.019)] per 10-dB
increase in road traffic noise at the most exposed façade and of 1.001
(95% CI: 0.977, 1.026) at the least exposed façade. Interaction analyses
suggested an association with road traffic noise at the least exposed
façade among subpopulations of current smokers and obese individuals.

Conclusion:The present study does not support an association between road traffic noise and filled prescriptions for AHTs.
Original languageEnglish
Article number057004
JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives
Volume128
Issue number5
ISSN0091-6765
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2020

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by funding from the Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF; grant 7016-00036B).

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