Association Between Fine Particle Waves and Sexual Function: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in China
Background: The effect of the long-term persistently elevated air pollutants, often referred to as air pollution waves, on sexual function has not been sufficiently addressed. Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional study involved 12,157 participants, with 5496 females and 5039 males. PM waves were...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Toxics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/1/39 |
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| author | Weiqian Zhang Rui Qu Guan Cheng Jingxuan Wang Tailang Yin Jue Liu Dongdong Tang Yan Zhang |
| author_facet | Weiqian Zhang Rui Qu Guan Cheng Jingxuan Wang Tailang Yin Jue Liu Dongdong Tang Yan Zhang |
| author_sort | Weiqian Zhang |
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| description | Background: The effect of the long-term persistently elevated air pollutants, often referred to as air pollution waves, on sexual function has not been sufficiently addressed. Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional study involved 12,157 participants, with 5496 females and 5039 males. PM waves were characterized by daily average PM concentrations surpassing Grade II thresholds of China’s ambient air quality standards (PM<sub>2.5</sub> > 75 μg/m<sup>3</sup>, PM<sub>10</sub> > 150 μg/m<sup>3</sup>) for three or more consecutive days (3–8 days). Male sexual function was assessed through the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), while female sexual function was evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). A multivariate linear regression model was employed to investigate the link between PM wave exposure and sexual function. Results: Exposure to PM<sub>10</sub> waves, defined as 3 (β = −0.0145, 95%CI = −0.0280, −0.0010), 4 (β = −0.0145, 95%CI = −0.0280, −0.0010), 5 (β = −0.0193, 95%CI = −0.0371, −0.0015), 6 (β = −0.0218, 95%CI = −0.0415, −0.0021), 7 (β = −0.0243, 95%CI = −0.0458, −0.0028), and 8 (β = −0.0243, 95%CI = −0.0458, −0.0028) consecutive days, negatively impacted IIEF-5 scores and male sexual function. Moreover, depression levels, as evaluated by the PHQ-9, played a mediating role in the connection between PM<sub>10</sub> waves and IIEF-5 scores. The potentially vulnerable subgroups were the younger 20–30 and the low-income groups. Conclusions: Our results suggest for the first time that PM<sub>10</sub> waves are associated with decreased IIEF-5 scores, which are mediated by depression score PHQ-9, informing policy formulation for public health interventions and individual safeguarding. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-90756b6efc7b41c686d890217cc56c0c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2305-6304 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| series | Toxics |
| spelling | doaj-art-90756b6efc7b41c686d890217cc56c0c2025-01-24T13:51:01ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042025-01-011313910.3390/toxics13010039Association Between Fine Particle Waves and Sexual Function: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in ChinaWeiqian Zhang0Rui Qu1Guan Cheng2Jingxuan Wang3Tailang Yin4Jue Liu5Dongdong Tang6Yan Zhang7Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, ChinaReproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, ChinaDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, ChinaReproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, ChinaReproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, ChinaNHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, ChinaDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, ChinaBackground: The effect of the long-term persistently elevated air pollutants, often referred to as air pollution waves, on sexual function has not been sufficiently addressed. Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional study involved 12,157 participants, with 5496 females and 5039 males. PM waves were characterized by daily average PM concentrations surpassing Grade II thresholds of China’s ambient air quality standards (PM<sub>2.5</sub> > 75 μg/m<sup>3</sup>, PM<sub>10</sub> > 150 μg/m<sup>3</sup>) for three or more consecutive days (3–8 days). Male sexual function was assessed through the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), while female sexual function was evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). A multivariate linear regression model was employed to investigate the link between PM wave exposure and sexual function. Results: Exposure to PM<sub>10</sub> waves, defined as 3 (β = −0.0145, 95%CI = −0.0280, −0.0010), 4 (β = −0.0145, 95%CI = −0.0280, −0.0010), 5 (β = −0.0193, 95%CI = −0.0371, −0.0015), 6 (β = −0.0218, 95%CI = −0.0415, −0.0021), 7 (β = −0.0243, 95%CI = −0.0458, −0.0028), and 8 (β = −0.0243, 95%CI = −0.0458, −0.0028) consecutive days, negatively impacted IIEF-5 scores and male sexual function. Moreover, depression levels, as evaluated by the PHQ-9, played a mediating role in the connection between PM<sub>10</sub> waves and IIEF-5 scores. The potentially vulnerable subgroups were the younger 20–30 and the low-income groups. Conclusions: Our results suggest for the first time that PM<sub>10</sub> waves are associated with decreased IIEF-5 scores, which are mediated by depression score PHQ-9, informing policy formulation for public health interventions and individual safeguarding.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/1/39PM wavesexual functiondepression scoresmediation analysis |
| spellingShingle | Weiqian Zhang Rui Qu Guan Cheng Jingxuan Wang Tailang Yin Jue Liu Dongdong Tang Yan Zhang Association Between Fine Particle Waves and Sexual Function: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in China Toxics PM wave sexual function depression scores mediation analysis |
| title | Association Between Fine Particle Waves and Sexual Function: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in China |
| title_full | Association Between Fine Particle Waves and Sexual Function: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in China |
| title_fullStr | Association Between Fine Particle Waves and Sexual Function: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association Between Fine Particle Waves and Sexual Function: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in China |
| title_short | Association Between Fine Particle Waves and Sexual Function: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in China |
| title_sort | association between fine particle waves and sexual function a nationwide cross sectional survey in china |
| topic | PM wave sexual function depression scores mediation analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/1/39 |
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