Air pollution and weather affect hospitalizations of COPD patients - first data from Poland

How do air and weather affect the health of patients with lung disease? The answer to this question is provided by the first in-depth analysis of the relationship between air quality, meteorological conditions and the number of urgent hospitalizations of patients with COPD.

The results of the study were published in an article titled. "Influence of ambient air pollution and meteorological factors on emergency admissions of COPD patients in Poland (2012-2019)." The authors of the publication are Prof. Mateusz Jankowski, head of the CMKP's Department of Population Health, and Prof. Jaroslaw Pinkas, acting head of the CMKP's Department of Lifestyle Medicine. The paper was written in interdisciplinary cooperation with a team of scientists from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management - PIB.

Air harms more than we think

Lung diseases are the third cause of death in Europe. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition whose course can rapidly worsen - even after brief exposure to smog or sudden temperature changes. Each exacerbation of the disease not only makes the patient's life less comfortable, but may require urgent hospitalization and intensive care, also increasing the cost of treatment.

The study shows that in Poland - despite a noticeable decline in the average level of air pollution in recent years - there are still exceedances of standards for particulate matter (PM2.5), which pose a serious threat to patients with COPD.

Poland compared to Europe

According to the authors of the publication, in recent years, average PM2.5 exposure and PM2.5-related deaths in Europe have fallen by 33.7% and 42.4%, respectively. However, Poland is still among the countries with high emissions, which translates into a higher number of COPD exacerbations and hospitalizations.

Importantly, in Poland, avoiding exposure to polluted air is not always possible. After all, air quality does not depend solely on individual choices, but also on local environmental conditions, infrastructure or energy policies.

The challenge is not only smog, but also... weather

The publication shows that the number of hospitalizations is affected not only by particulate matter, but also by changing weather conditions. That's why, the authors point out, solutions are needed to support patients' daily activities, including weather and air quality warning systems.

As the population ages and the number of people with chronic diseases increases, the problem will grow, the researchers warn. This is why it is so important to integrate environmental aspects into health care and prevention planning.

Source: CMKP