Chronic cardio-metabolic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes contribute disproportionately to global morbidity and mortality and are increasing believed to have multiple environmental influences.
PM2.5 is the fifth leading risk factor for global mortality - largely due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Reducing personal exposure to air pollution has shown promise in improving key cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure and insulin resistance) in limited studies, but durability of these effects is not known. Personal air cleaners have been shown to decrease personal exposure to PM2.5 and reduce blood pressure in small studies and may serve as a pragmatic intervention in high-risk patients in whom air pollution is a strong contributor to cardiovascular health.
Age
18–65
Sex
ALL
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
You may be eligible if
Age ≥18 and less than 65 years old
Living in a single residence (home, apartment) located anywhere in Qatar
Mild systolic hypertension: screening visit systolic BP 130 to 159 mm Hg (off treatment or taking ≤ 2 BP medications that have been stable without changes during prior one week)
Either:
Type 2 diabetes patients (HbA1c \> 6.5%) OR Non-type 2 diabetes patients with two or more additional criteria for the metabolic syndrome,
Waist circumference ≥102 cm if male and ≥88 cm if female
Fasting triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL (or taking a triglyceride-lowering medication)
HDL-C ≤ 40 mg/dL if male and ≤ 50 mg/dL if female (or taking an HDL-raising medication),
Fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dL (or taking an antidiabetic medication)
A medical condition placing the participant at risk from participation (per investigators)
Expected overnight travel outside their residence during the study
HEPA filter within the ACs of the residence (self-reported) or individual use of HEPA filter filter
Unable to comprehend/sign an informed consent
Lung disease requiring oxygen
Cancer receiving treatment.
Type 1 diabetes or MODY diabetes
Screening visit: BP ≥160/100 mm Hg
Medication changes in the past week. If participants are on medications for high BP or hyperlipidemia, they will need to have had stable therapy for at least one week with no planned changes during the study
Left upper arm circumference \>17 inches as this will make BP levels inaccurate with the home monitor used
Acute illness or infectious symptoms within the prior 4 weeks.
Clareo Health | Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease in Qatar: an Interventional Study to Reduce Blood Pressure
