Gender-dependent differences in the relationship between diabetes mellitus and ambient air pollution among adults in South Korean cities

Background: Air pollution has been a serious public health threat worldwide. It has been linked to pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases but is also believed to contribute to air-pollution-mediated cardiometabolic disease such as diabetes. We investigated the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and air pollution in densely developed urban settings in South Korea, using national epidemiologic data. Methods: The analysis focused on examining gender-related differences in the relationship between DM 2 and air pollutants, specifically particulate matter ≤ 10μm (PM₁₀) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂). To assess the relationship between DM and exposure to PM₁₀ and SO₂, multivariate logistic regression models were developed using the 2012 Korea Community Health Survey data and the ambient air pollution data in South Korean cities at both Gu- and Si levels. Results: The commonly encountered levels of PM₁₀ and SO₂ may be associated with DM 2 prevalence in South Korea but it appears there may be gender differences. In particular, exposure to either PM₁₀ or SO₂ was significantly related to the prevalence of DM 2 among women but not among men. Conclusion: These findings provide new evidence of an association between air pollution and the risk of diabetes in urbanized areas of South Korea.