Acute effects of ambient air pollution on daily neurology clinic visits for vertigo: a time-series study in Wuhan, China

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to disclose the relationship between ambient air pollution and neurology clinic visits (NCVs) for vertigo. Methods: A time-series study was conducted to examine relationships between different air pollutants (SO2, NO2, PM2.5, PM10, CO, and O3) and daily NCVs for vertigo in Wuhan, China from January 1st 2017 to November 31th 2019. Stratified analyses were computed according to gender, age and season. Results: 14,749 records of NCVs for vertigo were enrolled in the study. Data demonstrated daily NCVs for vertigo significantly corresponded to per increase of 10μg/m3 for SO2, NO2 and O3. Males were more susceptible in acute SO2 and NO2 exposure, while females were more vulnerable to O3. Acute SO2, NO2, and O3 exposure correlated with daily NCVs for vertigo significantly stronger in individuals aged less than 50 years old. Acute PM2.5 exposure associated with daily NCVs for vertigo more obviously in cool seasons, whereas the correlation was conversely stronger in warm seasons between O3 exposure and daily NCVs for vertigo. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated acute exposure to ambient NO2 and O3 positively associated with daily NCVs for vertigo. Acute effects of air pollution on daily NCVs for vertigo varied according to gender, age and season.