Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.
2006 Sep;26(3):233-238.
Hospital Visits and Admissions in Patients with Asthma, COPD, and Cardiovascular Diseases according to Air Pollutants
Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Air pollution is an important risk factor for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular diseases. Air pollution can aggravate the symptoms of asthma, COPD, and cardiovascular diseases.
OBJECTIVE
A retrospective study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between monthly air pollutant concentrations and monthly hospitalizations for selected disease categories in Bucheon, Gyenggi-do. METHOD: Monthly measurements of particles (PM10), sulfur dioxide, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations were obtained between Jan. 2003 and Aug. 2003 via the metropolitan network of monitoring stations. Hospital morbidity data for asthma, cardiovascular, COPD were obtained and categorized into all ages greater than 10 years. RESULT: There were significant associations for monthly changes in PM10 concentrations of emergency visits of female asthmatic patients (r=0.715, P=0.046) and outpatients visits of male asthmatic patients (r=0.714, P=0.047). There were significant associations for monthly changes in ozone concentrations and outpatient visits of COPD (r=0.723, P= 0.043) and angina pectoris (r=0.802, P=0.017). Changes in NO2, sulfur dioxide concentrations were not significantly associated with any disease outcomes.
CONCLUSION
These data provide useful information on the potential health impact of air pollution on asthma, COPD, cardiovascular diseases, and the control of air pollution is an important issue for prevention of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
