<p>Acute Effects of Air Pollution on Hospital Admissions for Asthma, COPD, and Bronchiectasis in Ahvaz, Iran</p>

Abstract

Background and Aim: Although air pollution is a serious problem in Ahvaz, the association between air pollution and respiratory diseases has not been studied enough in this area. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between short-term exposure to air pollutants and the risk of hospital admissions due to asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis in Ahvaz. Methods: Hospital admissions data and air pollutants including O 3 , NO, NO 2 , SO 2 , CO, PM 10, and PM 2.5 were obtained from 2008 to 2018. Adjusted Quasi-Poisson regression with a distributed lag model, controlled for trend, seasonality, weather, weekdays, and holidays was used for data analysis. Results: The results showed a significant increase in hospital admissions for asthma (RR=1.004, 95% CI: 1.002-1.007) and COPD (RR=1.003, 95% CI: 1.001-1.005) associated with PM 2.5 . PM 10 was associated with increased hospital admissions due to bronchiectasis in both genders (Men: RR=1.003, 95% CI: 1.001-1.006) (Female: RR=1.003, 95% CI: 1.000-1.006). NO 2 was also associated with an increased risk of hospital admissions for asthma (RR=1.040, 95% CI: 1.008-1.074) and COPD (RR=1.049, 95% CI: 1.010-1.090). SO 2 was associated with the risk of hospital admissions of asthma (RR=1.069, 95% CI: 1.017-1.124) and bronchiectasis (RR=1.030, 95% CI: 1.005-1.056). Finally, CO was associated with COPD (RR=1.643, 95% CI: 1.233-2.191) and bronchiectasis (RR=1.542, 95% CI: 1.035-2.298) hospital admissions. Conclusion: Short-term exposure to air pollutants significantly increases the risk of hospital admissions for asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis in the adult and elderly population.

Effects of short-term exposure to ambient airborne pollutants on COPD-related mortality among the elderly residents of Chengdu city in Southwest China

“…Delays and accumulations exist between air pollutant exposure and respiratory system health effects [ 16 , 17 ]. Single-day lag models may underestimate the effects of airborne pollutants on mortality [ 18 ].…”

The role of air pollution (PM and NO2) in COVID-19 spread and lethality: A systematic review

“…Scientific evidences support that short- and long-term exposures to ambient air pollutants are associated with a broad of adverse health outcomes ( Ferrante and Conti, 2017 ; Fiore et al, 2019 ), such as higher mortality rates, greater hospital admissions and increased outpatient visits ( Bremner et al, 1999 ; Cohen et al, 2017 ; Dehghani et al, 2017 ; Dockery et al, 1993 ). It has markedly detrimental consequences on asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and COPD ( Dick et al, 2014 ; Perng and Chen, 2017 ; Raji et al, 2020 ; Vignal et al, 2017 ; Yarahmadi et al, 2018 ), where bacteria and viruses are the most accepted causative factors that harm airway stability, driving to infection exacerbation. Furthermore, air pollution represents an aggravating factor for infection diseases caused by some viral infections ( Domingo and Rovira, 2020 ), such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza A and B, para influenza virus type 3, pneumonia and influenza-like illness ( Carugno et al, 2018 ; Croft et al, 2020 ; Fukuda et al, 2011 ; Huang et al, 2016 ; Huh et al, 2020 ; Liang et al, 2014 ; Lin et al, 2005 ; Silva et al, 2014 ; Somayaji et al, 2020 ).…”

Significant reduction in hospital admissions for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Hong Kong during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

“…Respiratory tract infection is one of the commonest triggers of AECOPD in which influenza is associated with considerable mortality and morbidity [ [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] ]. Both exposure to certain air pollutants and low temperature are also shown to confer increased risk of AECOPD [ 15 ].…”