The association between air pollution and three types of diabetes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Background: Despite numerous meta-analyses showing an association between air pollutants and diabetes, there is considerable heterogeneity between studies. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the cumulative evidence regarding the association between air pollution and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1...

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Main Authors: Weicong Jiang, Huili Zhou, Guangbiao Xu, Meixian Zhang, Tao-Hsin Tung, Chengwen Luo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-04-01
Series:Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325004166
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author Weicong Jiang
Huili Zhou
Guangbiao Xu
Meixian Zhang
Tao-Hsin Tung
Chengwen Luo
author_facet Weicong Jiang
Huili Zhou
Guangbiao Xu
Meixian Zhang
Tao-Hsin Tung
Chengwen Luo
author_sort Weicong Jiang
collection DOAJ
description Background: Despite numerous meta-analyses showing an association between air pollutants and diabetes, there is considerable heterogeneity between studies. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the cumulative evidence regarding the association between air pollution and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) through systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Methods: Following the PRISMA 2020 guidance, a comprehensive review across three databases, including Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed, from inception to September 30, 2024. The quality of the included systematic reviews was assessed using the AMSTAR 2 tool. The research protocol has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024594953). Results: A total of 19 meta-analyses were identified in this review, including two articles investigating the impact of air pollution on T1DM, nine on T2DM, and ten on GDM. Due to limited data, no significant relationship between air pollution and T1DM was found. There is evidence that exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) may significantly increase the risk of T2DM. However, meta-analyses concerning GDM exhibit a less consistent association between air pollution and GDM risk, which varies by pollutant and duration of exposure. Conclusion: Results suggest that exposure to air pollution may increase diabetes risk to some extent, particularly for T2DM. However, due to limited available studies, further prospective cohort studies are warranted to elucidate the role of air pollutants in diabetes, particularly for T1DM. Additionally, understanding potential mechanisms by which air pollution affects diabetes is crucial for future investigations.
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spelling doaj-art-a6bf78f7c84f443c8205f46a8efbfafe2025-08-20T02:07:57ZengElsevierEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety0147-65132025-04-0129411808010.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118080The association between air pollution and three types of diabetes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analysesWeicong Jiang0Huili Zhou1Guangbiao Xu2Meixian Zhang3Tao-Hsin Tung4Chengwen Luo5Evidence-based Medicine Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China; Department of Financial Markets, Linhai Rural Commercial Bank, Linhai, ChinaDepartment of Nephrology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, ChinaDepartment of Nephrology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, ChinaEvidence-based Medicine Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, ChinaEvidence-based Medicine Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China; Correspondence to: Evidence-Based Medicine Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, China.Evidence-based Medicine Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China; Correspondence to: Evidence-Based Medicine Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang, China.Background: Despite numerous meta-analyses showing an association between air pollutants and diabetes, there is considerable heterogeneity between studies. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the cumulative evidence regarding the association between air pollution and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) through systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Methods: Following the PRISMA 2020 guidance, a comprehensive review across three databases, including Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed, from inception to September 30, 2024. The quality of the included systematic reviews was assessed using the AMSTAR 2 tool. The research protocol has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024594953). Results: A total of 19 meta-analyses were identified in this review, including two articles investigating the impact of air pollution on T1DM, nine on T2DM, and ten on GDM. Due to limited data, no significant relationship between air pollution and T1DM was found. There is evidence that exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) may significantly increase the risk of T2DM. However, meta-analyses concerning GDM exhibit a less consistent association between air pollution and GDM risk, which varies by pollutant and duration of exposure. Conclusion: Results suggest that exposure to air pollution may increase diabetes risk to some extent, particularly for T2DM. However, due to limited available studies, further prospective cohort studies are warranted to elucidate the role of air pollutants in diabetes, particularly for T1DM. Additionally, understanding potential mechanisms by which air pollution affects diabetes is crucial for future investigations.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325004166Umbrella reviewDiabetes mellitusAir pollutionSystematic reviews and meta-analysesPRISMAAMSTAR 2
spellingShingle Weicong Jiang
Huili Zhou
Guangbiao Xu
Meixian Zhang
Tao-Hsin Tung
Chengwen Luo
The association between air pollution and three types of diabetes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Umbrella review
Diabetes mellitus
Air pollution
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
PRISMA
AMSTAR 2
title The association between air pollution and three types of diabetes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
title_full The association between air pollution and three types of diabetes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
title_fullStr The association between air pollution and three types of diabetes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
title_full_unstemmed The association between air pollution and three types of diabetes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
title_short The association between air pollution and three types of diabetes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
title_sort association between air pollution and three types of diabetes an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta analyses
topic Umbrella review
Diabetes mellitus
Air pollution
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
PRISMA
AMSTAR 2
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325004166
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