Assessment of Environmental Pollutants and their Relationship with Chronic Respiratory Disease Exacerbations in Jamshoro: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: COPD and Asthma are a burden to our society and in a city like Jamshoro having industries and power plants in close vicinity, this becomes a greater concern. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the relationship between air quality indices (AQIs) and exacerbations in chronic obstructive respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD, prevalent among the general population in Jamshoro. Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted from August 2023 to February 2024 at LUMHS, Jamshoro (ERC approval: 14287/23/081), used purposive sampling to recruit 300 adults with asthma or COPD. Air quality data (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2) were collected, and respiratory outcomes were measured via spirometry and a validated questionnaire. Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analyzed the association between air quality and exacerbations. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Results: There was a significant inverse relationship between PM10, NO2, and FEV1 (r = -0.45, p < 0.01; r = -0.40, p < 0.01). Chi-square analysis indicated a strong association between AQI categories and exacerbation rates (χ² = 25.6, df = 3, p < 0.001). Multiple regression showed that PM10 and NO2 were significant independent predictors of respiratory exacerbation (β = 0.049, p < 0.01; β = 0.038, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The study underscores the adverse respiratory health consequences of poor air quality in Jamshoro and recommends the implementation of effective air quality management policies.