Background Studies on the associations between ambient temperature and asthma hospitalizations are limited, and the results are controversial. We aimed to assess the short-term effects of ambient temperature on the risk of asthma hospitalizations and quantify the hospitalization burdens of asthma attributable to non-optimal temperature in adults in Beijing, China. Methods We collected daily asthma hospitalizations, meteorological factors and air quality data in Beijing from 2012 to 2015. We applied a time-stratified case-crossover design and fitted a distributed lag non-linear model with a conditional quasi-Poisson regression to explore the association between ambient temperature and adult asthma hospitalizations. The effect modifications of these associations by gender and age were assessed by stratified analyses. We also computed the attributable fractions and numbers with 95% empirical confidence intervals (eCI) of asthma hospitalizations due to extreme and moderate temperatures. Results From 2012 to 2015, we identified a total of 18,500 hospitalizations for asthma among adult residents in Beijing, China. Compared with the optimal temperature (22 °C), the cumulative relative risk (CRR) over lag 0–30 days was 2.32 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.57–3.42 for extreme cold corresponding to the 2.5th percentile (− 6.5 °C) of temperature distribution and 2.04 (95% CI 1.52–2.74) for extreme heat corresponding to the 97.5th percentile (29 °C) of temperature distribution. 29.1% (95% eCI 17.5–38.0%) of adult asthma hospitalizations was attributable to non-optimum temperatures. Moderate cold temperatures yielded most of the burdens, with an attributable fraction of 20.3% (95% eCI 9.1–28.7%). The temperature-related risks of asthma hospitalizations were more prominent in females and younger people (19–64 years old). Conclusions There was a U-shaped association between ambient temperature and the risk of adult asthma hospitalizations in Beijing, China. Females and younger patients were more vulnerable to the effects of non-optimum temperatures. Most of the burden was attributable to moderate cold. Our findings may uncover the potential impact of climate changes on asthma exacerbations.

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ObjectivesOur work aimed at exploring the relationship between cold spells and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) hospitalisations in Beijing, China, and assessing the moderating effects of the intensities and the durations of cold spells, as well as identifying the vulnerable.DesignA time-series study.SettingWe obtained time-series data of AECOPD hospitalisations, meteorological variables and air quality index in Beijing, China during 2012–2016.ParticipantsAll AECOPD hospitalisations among permanent residents in Beijing, China during the cold seasons (November–March) of 2012–2016 were included (n=84 571).Primary and secondary outcome measuresA quasi-Poisson regression with a distributed lag model was fitted to investigate the short-term effects of cold spells on AECOPD hospitalisations by comparing the counts of AECOPD admissions during cold spell days with those during non-cold spell days.ResultsCold spells under different definitions were associated with increased risk of AECOPD hospitalisations, with the maximum cumulative relative risk (CRR) over 3 weeks (lag0–21). The cumulative effects at lag0–21 increased with the intensities and the durations of cold spells. Under the optimal definition, the most significant single-day relative risk (RR) was found on the days of cold spells (lag0) with an RR of 1.042 (95% CI 1.013 to 1.072), and the CRR at lag0–21 was 1.394 (95% CI 1.193 to 1.630). The elderly (aged ≥65) were more vulnerable to the effects of cold spells on AECOPD hospitalisations.ConclusionCold spells are associated with increased AECOPD hospitalisations in Beijing, with the cumulative effects increased with intensities and durations. The elderly are at particular risk of AECOPD hospitalisations triggered by cold spells.