Prediction of the impact of air pollution on rates of hospitalization for asthma in Shiraz based on air pollution indices in 2007-2012

Abstract

Objectives: This study was designed to determine the effects of air pollutants on emergency admissions for asthma, and to forecast the disease burden in Shiraz, Iran. Methods: The average daily concentrations of fine particles (PM 10), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), sulfur dioxide (SO 2), carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O 3) were calculated from data reported by two air quality monitoring stations in Shiraz from the beginning of 2007 to mid-2012. Results: The numbers of patients admitted with asthma attack during this period were collected from four main university-affiliated hospitals. Admissions were correlated strongly with the levels of PM 10 , SO 2 , CO and O 3 during warm seasons (P < 0.001), and with NO 2 level during cold seasons (P < 0.001). We forecast increasing trends in air pollutants and patient admissions in the year 2015. Conclusion: Our findings are further evidence of the effects of air pollutants on asthma exacerbations.

Short-term effects of air pollution on exacerbations of allergic asthma in Užice region, Serbia

“…According to our results, a 2-day lag exposure to SO 2 was associated with asthma exacerbation (OR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.02-3.80), which is in accordance with previous studies on adults and children [24,27,30,31,39], while other authors have failed to observe such associations [25,33]. Gharehchahi et al [40] found a positive relationship between concentration of SO 2 and hospital admissions due to respiratory diseases in the elderly, while Galán et al [29] did not find any relationship between SO 2 and asthma emergency room admissions.…”

“…According to our results, a 2-day lag exposure to SO 2 was associated with asthma exacerbation (OR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.02–3.80), which is in accordance with previous studies on adults and children [ 24 , 27 , 30 , 31 , 39 ], while other authors have failed to observe such associations [ 25 , 33 ]. Gharehchahi et al .…”

“…PM 10 is one of the top air pollutants in Serbia, with all air quality monitoring stations in the country registering exceedances of the permitted daily limit value of 50 mg per cubic meter (µg/m 3 ) [ 25 ]. We observed a significant association between 3-day lag exposure to PM 10 and ED visits for asthma with coexisting AR (OR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.17–4.84), which is in accordance with most previous studies of short-term health effects [ 26 – 31 ]. In contrast, several other studies have failed to observe a statistically significant association [ 24 , 32 , 33 ].…”

“…Modig et al [37] found a positive association between asthma onset (OR per 10 μg/m 3 1.46, 95% CI: 1.07-1.99) and incident asthma in adults (OR per 10 μg/m 3 1.54, 95% CI: 1.00-2.36) and the levels of NO 2 , which remained statistically significant after adjusting for potential confounders. Several authors [22,31] found a strong correlation between emergency admissions for asthma and NO 2 level only during cold seasons. Zheng et al [30] in the meta-analysis of 87 time-series studies (including casecrossover studies) of short-term exposure to air pollutants, found that NO 2 was associated with significantly increased risks of asthma emergency room visits and hospitalizations (RR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.02).…”

“…[ 37 ] found a positive association between asthma onset (OR per 10 mg/m 3 1.46, 95% CI: 1.07–1.99) and incident asthma in adults (OR per 10 mg/m 3 1.54, 95% CI: 1.00–2.36) and the levels of NO 2 , which remained statistically significant after adjusting for potential confounders. Several authors [ 22 , 31 ] found a strong correlation between emergency admissions for asthma and NO 2 level only during cold seasons. Zheng et al .…”