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The association between road traffic noise exposure, annoyance and health-related quality of life (HRQOL)

Type of publication Peer-reviewed
Publikationsform Original article (peer-reviewed)
Author Héritier, Harris; Vienneau, Danielle; Frei, Patricia; Eze, Ikenna; Brink, Mark; Probst-Hensch, Nicole; Röösli, Martin
Project Transportation noise, annoyance, sleep and cardiometabolic risk: an integrated approach on short- and long-term effects
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Original article (peer-reviewed)

Journal International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume (Issue) 11
Page(s) 12652 - 12667
Title of proceedings International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
DOI 10.3390

Open Access

URL http://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
Type of Open Access Publisher (Gold Open Access)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between road traffic noise exposure, annoyance caused by different noise sources and validated health indicators in a cohort of 1375 adults from the region of Basel, Switzerland. Road traffic noise exposure for each study participant was determined using modelling, and annoyance from various noise sources was inquired by means of a four-point Likert scale. Regression parameters from multivariable regression models for the von Zerssen score of somatic symptoms (point symptom score increase per annoyance category) showed strongest associations with annoyance from industry noise (2.36, 95% CI: 1.54, 3.17), neighbour noise (1.62, 95% CI: 1.17, 2.06) and road traffic noise (1.53, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.96). Increase in modelled noise exposure by 10 dB(A) resulted in a von Zerssen symptom score increase of 0.47 (95% CI: −0.01, 0.95) units. Subsequent structural equation modelling revealed that the association between physical noise exposure and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is strongly mediated by annoyance and sleep disturbance. This study elucidates the complex interplay of different factors for the association between physical noise exposure and HRQOL.
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