THE INVESTIGATION OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN METEOROLOGICAL AND AIR POLLUTION PARAMETERS WITH COPD EXACERBATION

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between meteorological and air pollution
parameters [temperature, humidity, wind, sulfur dioxide (SO2), PM (10] with COPD exacerbation
Materials and Methods: Our study was conducted by retrospectively screening the files of the patients followed up due
to COPD exacerbation in the emergency department between 01.06.2016 and 01.06.2017. The chi-square test was used to
compare the categorical variables. Mann-Whitney ???? test was used to compare numerical variables between COPD
exacerbation admission and non-admission days and chi-square test was used to investigate relationship between
admission and event (rain). The lag analysis was used to determine the factors affecting the development of COPD
exacerbation during the last four days.
Results: The temperature level was statistically significantly lower on the days of admission due to COPD attack
(p<0.05). On the other hand, there was no statistically significant difference in humidity and wind levels between the days
with and without admission (p>0.05) The SO2 level was statistically significantly lower on the days of admission due to
COPD attack (p<0.05). In PM 10 levels, there was no statistically significant difference between the days with and without
admission (p>0.05)
Conclusion: On days with COPD admission, the air temperature was lower and the SO2 level was higher. Humidity,
wind and PM levels on admission days were similar to those in non-admission patients.