Role Of Particulate Matter On Emergency Department Visits For Asthma Exacerbation

Purpose To assess the correlation between progressive PM levels and Asthma Exacerbation events, we investigated the role of short-term PM exposure in the increase of Emergency Department (ED) admissions in Brescia. Methods We conducted an analysis of clinical records of ED admissions for Asthma Exacerbation, starting from January 2014 to December 2017. Daily PM levels were collected from the Environmental Protection Regional Agency (ARPA). We performed a time-series analysis using a Poisson regression model with single and multiple day-lag. Results were expressed as Relative Risk (RR) and Excess of Relative Risk (ER) of Asthma Exacerbation-related ED admissions, over a 10μg/m3 increase in PM10 and PM2.5 concentration. Results We included 543 admissions. The time-series study revealed an increase of the RR (CI95%) for Asthma Exacerbation-related ED admissions of 1.24 with an ER of 24.15% for PM2.5 at lag0-1 (p<0.05). We also documented a RR (CI95%) of 1.12 with an ER of 12.53% at lag0-5 (p≤0.05). We then studied the population living exclusively in the city, obtaining a RR (CI95%) for PM10 and PM2.5 respectively of 1.21 and 1.34 with ERs of 20.82% and 33.75% at lag01 (p<0.05). Lastly we evaluated the increase of hospitalizations after ED admission. For this event we documented a RR (CI95%) of 1.31 with an ER of 30.67% for PM2.5 at Lag01 (p<0.05). Conclusions Short-term PM exposure acts a critical role in inducing Asthma exacerbation events, especially PM2.5. Clinical Implications Rising pollution plays a crucial role in developing several respiratory diseases. Particulate Matter (PM)-induced Asthma Exacerbation is one of the most life-threating events.