Outdoor temperature changes and emergency department visits for asthma in Seoul, Korea: A time-series study.

Outdoor temperature changes and emergency department visits for asthma in Seoul, Korea: A time-series study.

Environ Res. 2014 Sep 24;135C:15-20

Authors: Kim J, Lim Y, Kim H

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Extreme temperatures and temperature changes are known indicators of climate change, and large temperature variations for several consecutive days may affect human health such as exacerbating respiratory symptoms. The objective of this study was to determine the association between outdoor temperature change and asthma-related emergency department visits. In particular, this study examined seasonality and identified susceptible populations, such as the elderly.
METHODS: The health data for asthma-related emergency department visits were collected from July 1, 2007, to December 31, 2010 in Seoul, Korea, through the National Emergency Department Information System of the National Emergency Medical Center and we defined temperature change as the absolute difference of mean temperature between the current day and the previous day. We applied generalized linear models with an allowance of over-dispersion for quantifying the estimated effects of temperature change on asthma-related emergency department visits, adjusting for meteorological conditions, air pollution, and time trend.
RESULTS: In general, temperature change was adversely associated with asthma-related emergency department visits, with a 1-unit increase of temperature change associated with a 3.5% (95% CI 0.7, 6.4%) increase in emergency department visits. In addition, seasonal variation after adjusting for mean temperature and diurnal temperature range had an adverse effect in spring, summer, and fall and a protective effect in winter. Patients aged ?65 years experienced the most prominent effect during the fall, with a 17.9% (95% CI 4.1, 33.6%) increase in emergency department visits per 1-unit increase of temperature change, whereas the other seasons showed no statistically significant association.
CONCLUSIONS: Along with diurnal temperature range, temperature change may be an alternative indicator of climate change. Temperature change variables are well-known and easy to communicate with the public relative to the health effects of outdoor temperature fluctuations.

PMID: 25261859 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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Doctors issue warning for asthma sufferers as temperature drops – Focus Taiwan News Channel

Doctors issue warning for asthma sufferers as temperature drops
Focus Taiwan News Channel
2 (CNA) Doctors urged Thursday people with asthma to take precautions in the days ahead as a strong cold air was expected to send the mercury plunging around Taiwan until the weekend. Asthma is not uncommon in the country, and the number of people

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A Triad Doctor Proves Once And For All If A Temperature Swing Can Make You Sick. – WFMY News 2

A Triad Doctor Proves Once And For All If A Temperature Swing Can Make You Sick.
WFMY News 2
Dr. Elmahdy said you can get sick from a change in temperature if you already have a health condition like allergies or asthma. "It's the people with allergy and asthma who suffer more and we get a lot of sinus infections or presumed sinus infections

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Exhaled breath temperature and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic children.

Exhaled breath temperature and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic children.

Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011 Sep 8;

Authors: Peroni DG, Chinellato I, Piazza M, Zardini F, Bodini A, Olivieri F, Boner AL, Piacentini GL

Abstract
It has been hypothesized that exhaled breath temperature (EBT) is related to the degree of airway inflammation/remodeling in asthma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the level of airway response to exercise and EBT in a group of controlled or partly controlled asthmatic children. Fifty asthmatic children underwent measurements of EBT before and after a standardized exercise test. EBT was 32.92?±?1.13 and 33.35?±?0.95°C before and after exercise, respectively (P?<?0.001). The % decrease in FEV(1) was significantly correlated with the increase in EBT (r?=?0.44, P?=?0.0013), being r?=?0.49 (P?<?0.005) in the children who were not receiving regular inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and 0.37 (n.s.) in those who were. This study further supports the hypothesis that EBT can be considered a potential composite tool for monitoring asthma. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

PMID: 21905269 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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