Increased prevalence of hypertension in a population exposed to aircraft noise

TLDR

The study investigates whether residential exposure to aircraft noise is associated with hypertension. The study sampled 266 residents near Stockholm Arlanda airport and 2693 residents elsewhere, classified by time‑weighted average and maximum aircraft noise levels, and collected individual characteristics via questionnaire. Higher aircraft noise exposure was associated with increased odds of hypertension (OR 1.6 for >55 dBA average, OR 1.8 for >72 dBA maximum), with a suggested exposure‑response relationship, particularly among older adults and those without impaired hearing.

Abstract

To investigate whether there is a relation between residential exposure to aircraft noise and hypertension.The study population comprised two random samples of subjects aged 19-80 years, one including 266 residents in the vicinity of Stockholm Arlanda airport, and another comprising 2693 inhabitants in other parts of Stockholm county. The subjects were classified according to the time weighted equal energy and maximum aircraft noise levels at their residence. A questionnaire provided information on individual characteristics including history of hypertension.The prevalence odds ratio for hypertension adjusted for age, sex, smoking, and education was 1.6 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.0 to 2.5) among those with energy averaged aircraft noise levels exceeding 55 dBA, and 1.8 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.8) among those with maximum aircraft noise levels exceeding 72 dBA. An exposure-response relation was suggested for both exposure measures. The exposure to aircraft noise seemed particularly important for older subjects and for those not reporting impaired hearing ability.Community exposure to aircraft noise may be associated with hypertension.