Ambient particulate matter and renal function decline in people with HIV/AIDS

Objective: We aimed to explore the effect of particulate matter exposure on renal function in people with HIV/AIDS (PWHA). Methods: A total of 37 739 repeated measurements were conducted on eGFR levels, serum creatinine (Scr), and the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index in 6958 PWHAs. The relationship between 1 and 28 day moving averages of particulate matter concentrations with Scr and eGFR was assessed using linear mixed-effects models. Modified Poisson regression models were employed to assess the associations of cumulative particulate matter exposure with the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Mediation analyses were used to examine the role of TyG index. Results: Short-term exposure to particulate matter was related to reduced renal function. The strongest associations between exposure to particulate matter (PM) 1 , PM 2.5 , and PM 10 and percentage changes in eGFR were observed at 7-day moving average exposure windows, with a respective decrease of 0.697% (−1.008%, −0.386%), 0.429% (−0.637%, −0.220%), and 0.373% (−0.581%, −0.164%) per IQR increment. Long-term exposure to PM 1 , PM 2.5 , and PM 10 was positively linked with the incidence of CKD, with each IQR increment corresponding to fully adjusted RRs (95% CIs) of 1.631 (1.446–1.839), 1.599 (1.431–1.787), and 1.903 (1.665–2.175), respectively. TyG index-mediated 8.87, 8.88, and 7.58% of the relationship between cumulative exposure to PM 1 , PM 2.5 , and PM 10 and increased risk of CKD, respectively. Conclusion: Exposure to particulate matter among PWHAs is linked to reduced renal function, potentially contributing to increased CKD incidence, where the TyG index might serve as a partial mediator.