Acute Effects of Air Pollution on Hospital Admissions for Asthma, COPD, and Bronchiectasis in Ahvaz, Iran.

Abstract

Background and AimAlthough 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.MethodsHospital admissions data and air pollutants including O3, NO, NO2, SO2, CO, PM10, and PM2.5 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.ResultsThe 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 PM2.5. PM10 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). NO2 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). SO2 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.ConclusionShort-term exposure to air pollutants significantly increases the risk of hospital admissions for asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis in the adult and elderly population.