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

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although 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. METHODS: Hospital admissions data and air pollutants including O(3), NO, NO(2), SO(2), CO, PM(10,) and PM(2.5) 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. RESULTS: The 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 PM(2.5). PM(10) 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). NO(2) 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). SO(2) 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. CONCLUSION: Short-term exposure to air pollutants significantly increases the risk of hospital admissions for asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis in the adult and elderly population.