Work

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Air Pollutants and Emergency Department Admissions with Childhood Asthma

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Background: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between the number of visits to a pediatric emergency department due to asthma attacks and air pollutants. Methods: In this ecological study, all pediatric patients who visited the pediatric emergency department of a tertiary hospital in Istanbul with asthma between January 2016 and December 2023 were included. The effect of air pollution on the number of patient visits was analyzed using a negative binomial regression model. Results: Based on the negative binomial model, a one-unit increase in SO2 leads to a 0.020-unit decrease in the logarithm of the number of patient visits (p < 0.05). A one-unit increase in NO leads to a 0.040-unit increase in the logarithm of the number of patient visits (p < 0.05). According to factor analysis, as the levels of NO, NOx, PM2.5, NO2, and PM10 in the air increase, the number of patient visits also increases; however, as the level of SO2 increases, the number of patient visits decreases. Conclusions: Families should be informed about environmental exposures for disease management of children with asthma. The confounding factors may also play a role in SO2 level and the decrease in admissions due to asthma. Further studies are needed in this regard.

Source: Diagnostics

DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14242778

Authors: Yakup Söğütlü, Uğur Altaş, Tuğba Altıntaş, Zeynep Meva Altaş, Sevgi Akova, Mehmet Yaşar Özkars

Institutions: Ümraniye Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi, Üsküdar University, Istanbul Medipol University

Language: English

Topic: Air Quality and Health Impacts

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,955