What Are the Effects of Meteorological Factors on Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Atmosphere

Dejan Živanović¹  Nataša Dragić²  Sanja Bijelović²  Marija Jevtić²  Jovan Javorac³  Miroslav Ilić³ 

[1] Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Vocational Studies for the Education of Preschool Teachers and Sports Trainers, 24000 Subotica, Serbia;Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia;Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, 21204 Sremska Kamenica, Serbia;

关键词: meteorological factors;    COPD exacerbation;    temperature;    climate changes;    atmospheric pressure;    solar radiation;   

DOI  :  10.3390/atmos12040442

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the greatest global public health challenges. Acute exacerbations of COPD lead to the accelerated deterioration of lung function, reduced quality of life, a higher number of hospitalizations, and increased mortality. The factor causing the exacerbation is usually an infectious agent, but the impact of environmental factors is being studied more thoroughly. Among them, meteorological factors are the least examined. Multiple studies have shown that lower temperatures during the cold season, as well as sudden temperature changes regardless of the season, have the most significant negative effect on patients with COPD. However, higher temperatures, especially during summer heatwaves, can also cause COPD exacerbation and it is expected that this will be an even more important health problem in the future considering climate changes. The effects of other meteorological factors on acute exacerbation of COPD, such as atmospheric pressure, solar radiation, rainfall, wind speed, and humidity are far less investigated and opposing results have been obtained in different studies. Thus, there is a need for further research in this area that would result in clinical recommendations and public health interventions that could decrease the global burden of COPD.

【 授权许可】

Unknown