Associations of road traffic noise and its frequency spectrum with prevalent depression in Taichung, Taiwan.

Introduction: Exposure to road traffic noise has been reported to be associated with depression in many epidemiological studies, but the association between noise frequency spectrum and depression remains unclear. This community-based study investigated the associations between road traffic noise exposure and its frequency components with prevalent depression.

Methods: A total of 3,191 residents living in Taichung who participated in the Taiwan Biobank between 2010 and 2017, were included as study participants. The land-use regression models were used to evaluate individual annual average values of A-weighted equivalent sound level over 24 h (L) and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm (PM) using the geographic information system. Multiple logistic regression was applied to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for depression after adjusting for potential risk factors and PM.

Results: An interquartile range increase in L at full frequency (4.7 dBA), 1,000 Hz (5.2 dB), and 2,000 Hz (4.8 dB) was significantly associated with an elevated risk for depression with ORs of 1.62 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03, 2.55), 1.58 (95% CI: 1.05, 2.37), and 1.58 (95% CI:1.03, 2.43), respectively, by controlling for PM. The high-exposure group (≥3rd quartile median of noise levels) at full frequency, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz had an increased risk for depression with ORs of 2.65 (95% CI: 1.16-6.05), 2.47 (95% CI: 1.07-5.70), and 2.60 (95% CI: 1.10-6.12), respectively, compared with the reference group (<1st quartile of noise levels) after adjustment for PM. Significant exposure-response trends were observed between the prevalent depression and noise exposure by quartiles at full frequency, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz (all < 0.05).

Conclusion: Exposure to road traffic noise may be associated with an increased prevalence of depression, particularly at 1,000 and 2,000 Hz.